Esa looking forward event

[squirrelly Whirley]

Please don't worry yourself about this. From examination of the wording, I'd be inclined to say this is an optional event. It's your own choice whether you wish to engage or not. The tone of the letter borders on being light and flippant (particularly from the DWP).

 

I'm suspicious that this may initially be an option you could refuse, there may come a point where attendance will be mandatory, but that could be way in the future if at all.

[THNX4THT]

Please don't worry yourself about this. From examination of the wording, I'd be inclined to say this is an optional event. It's your own choice whether you wish to engage or not. The tone of the letter borders on being light and flippant (particularly from the DWP).

 

I'm suspicious that this may initially be an option you could refuse, there may come a point where attendance will be mandatory, but that could be way in the future if at all.

 

I'd love to be able to engage in it, I'd love to be able to engage in most things, but the fact that there would be 13 different organisations there, offering advice, even if it be only one person from each organisation, that's 13 people I don't know added to the fact there'd be an office full of workers at the job centre. Then the other claimants that would be attending.....I can just about manage groups of 3-4 but 13 plus is just out of my league. As I've said before on another thread, it doesn't matter if I stress too much, I'll pass out soon and be none the wiser

[Belfaster]

If it is indeed optional, then stay well away from it! I am always deeply suspicious of the so called "help" provided by the DWP, as it usually means no help at all. Looks like another pointless exercise that will tick boxes for the drones that work there.

[THNX4THT]

If it is indeed optional, then stay well away from it! I am always deeply suspicious of the so called "help" provided by the DWP, as it usually means no help at all. Looks like another pointless exercise that will tick boxes for the drones that work there.

 

That was my general feeling. If I attend, even if it's a disaster and I'm stressed in tears and passing out, I'm sure they DWP will consider me able to attend the job centre, and other such things, such as interviews. I know it will be an absolute nightmare and I'm not going to put myself through it, nor should anyone!

[THNX4THT]

Having asked on here if Child Tax Credit affects ESA application and been told any child payment doesn't affect your ESA application, does anyone know what the weekly amount of ESA is once you've been put into whichever group?

 

My eldest children are on DLA, the same as me, we're all on the same DLA rate, Middle Care and Lower Mobility. If CTX credit and CHB isn't counted, and IF, the big IF, I was to be in the Support group as they are, would I get £121.50 per week as they do?

 

I know this might sound money grabbing.......it really isn't. I'm trying to work out my finances and need to know. Hope someone can help. Cheers

[Nystagmite]

If ESA if your only income (your DLA and child benefits don't count) and you don't have a working partner or savings over £6k, your weekly ESA for support group is £123.70.

 

Last year's ESA support group was roughly £121 per week.

[antone]

I don't understand - you said your eldest children are in the Support Group, which implies they receive ESA. When you're referring to CTC and CB, do you mean that these amounts are paid in respect of younger children?

[**Margaret**]

:THNX4THT:

 

Assuming you're a single claimant, your applicable amount (what Government says you need to live on) for employment n support with the support component would be made up of;

 

Personal allowance of £72.40, + support component of £35.75, + enhanced disability premium of £15.55 = £123.70 per week.

 

(Personal allowance of £72.40, + work related activity component of £28.75, (no enhanced disability premium) = £101.15 per week.)

 

Other income (including contribution flavoured ESA) and savings, a partner, or other adults sharing your home may affect actual entitlement.

 

Margaret.

[squirrelly Whirley]

I'd love to be able to engage in it, I'd love to be able to engage in most things, but the fact that there would be 13 different organisations there, offering advice, even if it be only one person from each organisation, that's 13 people I don't know added to the fact there'd be an office full of workers at the job centre. Then the other claimants that would be attending.....I can just about manage groups of 3-4 but 13 plus is just out of my league. As I've said before on another thread, it doesn't matter if I stress too much, I'll pass out soon and be none the wiser

 

 

From the near-jovial tone of the text in that letter you recieved, the DWP seem eager to convey the delightful, almost party-like atmosphere of this arranged meeting, but understand, the DWP have an agenda; these people are not your friends

 

I can well appreciate how much you want to do these things, but I fear we both know that your presence at one of these events might better serve the interests of the organisations attending.

[Could I get away with going so far as to call these organisations evil and corrupt in their intent? ]

 

This letter seems a desperate ploy, and they are ignoring your previously expressed feelings of fear and anxiety when in a crowded environment.

 

Above all else, the DWP have a duty of care to you, if they object to your non-attendance, it might be worth mentioning this and your likelihood of passing out unexpectedly.

[**Margaret**]

THNX4THT:

 

There isn't enough detail in that letter for me to be sure but it's probably another of Jobcentreplus myriad schemes, funded by Europe, to 'help' claimants of employment n support to address barriers to work. Neither is it entirely clear whether or not it's a mandatory appointment, but you need to find out.

 

There's no doubt that Jobcentreplus can require recipients of employment n support at any rate, except with the support component, to attend appointments. Current Jobcentreplus policy seems to be that they don't usually bother pending an initial work capability assessment and it's never happened to anyone I know. But looking at the rules it's a possibility, so in my opinion it isn't safe for you to ignore this invite. To protect yourself against a sanction, if possible record your call to query it. Put the phone on speaker and record onto a mobile phone or dictaphone. Then confirm the content of the call in writing, via recorded delivery or at least get a certificate of posting, to your benefit delivery centre. Second best is to keep copies of any electronic mail exchange. Seems an awful lot of faff, but it's easier than appealing a disallowance for non attendance.

 

Should an attempt to attend be the least of all the evils, Jobcentreplus can't object to you being accompanied by a carer/chaperone;

 

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/199828/response/490264/attach/3/Reply%20955.pdf

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[THNX4THT]

I don't understand - you said your eldest children are in the Support Group, which implies they receive ESA. When you're referring to CTC and CB, do you mean that these amounts are paid in respect of younger children?

 

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. I have 3 children, 2 of which have now left home, One in supported living and the other in 52 week placement at a specialist college for Autism (and other demanding conditions). These are the 2 that are in receipt of ESA. My youngest daughter is 16 and lives at home with me. I'm a single parent and my savings are about £10 premium bonds, so well under the 6k.

[Nystagmite]

if the adults who you live with receive mid or high rate care or are registered blind and no-one receives carers allowance for you, you're entitled to the severe disability premium, which brings ESA with support group up to £181 is per week.

[THNX4THT]

if the adults who you live with receive mid or high rate care or are registered blind and no-one receives carers allowance for you, you're entitled to the severe disability premium, which brings ESA with support group up to £181 is per week.

 

Its just me and my daughter aged 16. No one receives carers allowance for me, and I dont get any sort of carers premium inn my claim.

[antone]

Its just me and my daughter aged 16. No one receives carers allowance for me, and I dont get any sort of carers premium inn my claim.

 

As your daughter is under 18 you may well be entitled to a Severe Disability Premium.

[THNX4THT]

THNX4THT:

 

There isn't enough detail in that letter for me to be sure but it's probably another of Jobcentreplus myriad schemes, funded by Europe, to 'help' claimants of employment n support to address barriers to work. Neither is it entirely clear whether or not it's a mandatory appointment, but you need to find out.

 

There's no doubt that Jobcentreplus can require recipients of employment n support at any rate, except with the support component, to attend appointments. Current Jobcentreplus policy seems to be that they don't usually bother pending an initial work capability assessment and it's never happened to anyone I know. But looking at the rules it's a possibility, so in my opinion it isn't safe for you to ignore this invite. To protect yourself against a sanction, if possible record your call to query it. Put the phone on speaker and record onto a mobile phone or dictaphone. Then confirm the content of the call in writing, via recorded delivery or at least get a certificate of posting, to your benefit delivery centre. Second best is to keep copies of any electronic mail exchange. Seems an awful lot of faff, but it's easier than appealing a disallowance for non attendance.

 

Should an attempt to attend be the least of all the evils, Jobcentreplus can't object to you being accompanied by a carer/chaperone;

 

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/199828/response/490264/attach/3/Reply%20955.pdf

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really considered the possibility of attending this "Looking Forward Event" and it made me feel instantly sick and brought on a panic attack, and that was just from thinking about it. I emailed them, with the email address they provided. I sent the following :

 

 

 

To whom it may concern

 

I have received a letter inviting me to attend a "Looking Forward Event" on Thursday 12th June, 2014 at Canterbury Jobcentre Plus, as I am in receipt of ESA.

 

I am writing to confirm I am unable to attend. I have various diagnoses including, High Functioning Autism, Anxiety,Agoraphobia and Non Epileptic Attack Disorder.

 

I would not be able to cope with the high level of anxiety that I would experience if I attended this event. I struggle meeting new people I do not know, being in a reasonably crowded area, being in a place I don't know well, having to communicate with strangers, even if my carer attended with me. I would become extremely distressed, liable to experience a panic attack, cry and possibly as a result of my distress, I would quite likely pass out. ( Non Epileptic Attack Disorder is when someone experiences too much stress which the brain can not cope with, and as a protection mechanism, the brain shuts down and the sufferer passes out). In my experience of these occasions, I usually pass out for a few hours rather than minutes. Unlike epilepsy when there's a warning, "an aura" prior to a seizure there is no warning with a N.E.A.D.

 

 

 

I've not had a reply to say they have received it and I didnt get a Mailer Demon to say I'd sent it to the wrong place, so I guess I sent it correctly. Do they not give acknowledgements to say they've received your email? Even an automated message? I'm worried they don't know I wont be attending and it's causing me a lot of stress worrying if they know or not. Please help!!

[THNX4THT]

I'm in week 25 of waiting for my ATOS medical assessment (ie 12 weeks past the 13 week period)....My washing machine has died and I need a new mattress because I've had to resort to sleeping on the sofa rather than my bed.

 

It says that if you are in receipt of Income related ESA you can claim for a budgeting loan. My question is this....whilst on the assessment period, are you on Income Related ESA? or will I have to wait till they have decided which group I am on before I can request a budgeting loan?

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated

[time4change2]

as far as im aware you can apply for one if you have been getting a income related qualifying benefit for 6 months (24 weeks) as you have said but you might be best phoning them to see if you will on income based or contribution based. you can be on income and contribution based at the some time though depending if you have paid enough national insurance contributions ( i was on both when i claimed ESA for a while when it first come out )

 

if you dont want to do that then you can always make an application and they will look at it they will look at weather your claiming an income based or a contribution based benefit and give you a decision but you might find it hard getting a washing machine though each time i appalled i was refused and was told it was not a necessity and there was laundrettes available

 

good luck

[THNX4THT]

as far as im aware you can apply for one if you have been getting a income related qualifying benefit for 6 months (24 weeks) as you have said but you might be best phoning them to see if you will on income based or contribution based. you can be on income and contribution based at the some time though depending if you have paid enough national insurance contributions ( i was on both when i claimed ESA for a while when it first come out )

 

if you dont want to do that then you can always make an application and they will look at it they will look at weather your claiming an income based or a contribution based benefit and give you a decision but you might find it hard getting a washing machine though each time i appalled i was refused and was told it was not a necessity and there was laundrettes available

 

good luck

 

I guess being Agoraphobic might put a laundrette out of their minds lol, well theres always hoping! But thanks for the info, I'll ring ESA tomorrow x

[abc123def]

I got turned down for a cooker, not essential apparently. I wonder what is.

[THNX4THT]

I got turned down for a cooker, not essential apparently. I wonder what is.

 

Yeah my ex, when he split with his wife, was told he didn't need a cooker, he could make do with a microwave....I wonder if DWP could "make do" with a microwave??? lol

[time4change2]

so you have a support worker or anything like that? there are some grants out there you might be able to apply for

[THNX4THT]

so you have a support worker or anything like that? there are some grants out there you might be able to apply for

 

I have a Social Worker and they pay for me to have a carer through a care company. I rarely hear from her, I've seen her once and spoken on the phone twice lol. I hadn't even thought of charities....Thank you, I'll speak to my carer and get in touch with my Social Worker......Should I tell ESA that I've now been registered disabled? Perhaps I should mention it to my Social Worker and if Im registered would I be able to get a disability social worker? But thanks very much for the info

[time4change2]

any extra information you can supply them with will go towards your grant application

 

let us know how you get on

[Guest]

looking at the list given on the dwp website of things that a budget loan is given for.......furniture and household equipment........surely a cooker and washing machine would be household equipment? I would be challenging this.

[liverbird37]

Got a budget loan last year and they didn't include time on assessment rate ESA towards the qualifying period. They only included time in either of the groups. Not sure if this year is any different.

 

If you need money for a cooker, then you would only have to tick the household goods box. You don't need to be more specific than that.