New ESA Claim

[RaeUK]

The letter is a little confusing. It clearly states you have to attend one day per week. Then gives you three days. Are they saying that, as of 30 Jan, you attend once a week and your choices are one of the following three days? That's how I read it.

[pcombo]

My personal advisor doesn't even sit one to one with me thats the best of it, When i go in the receptionist gives me an application to fill or then puts me on a computer and thats it, i get no interaction from anyone, and if i do need its the receptionist who comes first then goes to speak with my advisor.

 

The manager said to me, what would you do if the internet went down for a month? I said i dont know. But all they do is put me on the internet anyway contradicting herself.

 

I've logged a complaint with them to which the manager of the branch im complaining about responded. I responded to her email and she says:

 

 

 

I am not prepared to get into daily email conversations with you to discuss each visit. Your mandated letter clearly states when you are to come in.

 

It’s irrelevant if *** your Consultant is not here, as previously stated all WL staff are available to assist, in fact part of the Receptionist’s role is to assist customers whilst the Consultants are busy. I have seen your applications forms and it is clear that you need coaching and assistance on completing these and therefore, *** will book you into relevant courses. (I do believe one of the applications was specifically for a computing course).

 

That’s great you have a Dr’s appointment for next week – please provide letter/appointment card to prove this so we can let the Job centre know the reason for you not attending your mandated appointments.

 

 

 

[pcombo]

The letter is a little confusing. It clearly states you have to attend one day per week. Then gives you three days. Are they saying that, as of 30 Jan, you attend once a week and your choices are one of the following three days? That's how I read it.

 

No I went into the office wednesday 29th, My day was bad enough for other reason, I was going into meet my new advisor only to be told im meeting a manager to be interrogated.

 

Well now you said that.

 

Once per week means one time a week and the days you can come in are listed. Might challenge them on this.

 

It also states ask my consultant for advice, yet she went home before my appointment was finished???

[RaeUK]

Quite so. The 'mandated letter' clearly says come in once a week"

[Mr.P]

It’s irrelevant if *** your Consultant is not here, as previously stated all WL staff are available to assist, in fact part of the Receptionist’s role is to assist customers whilst the Consultants are busy. I have seen your applications forms and it is clear that you need coaching and assistance on completing these and therefore, *** will book you into relevant courses. (I do believe one of the applications was specifically for a computing course).

 

Oh dear. You are being set up for a whole bunch of other worthless "courses"... I still maintain that a receptionist has no business acting as an adviser or coach. But if management want him/her assisting customers, then make full use of the opportunity... Don't ask for a pen & paper. Ask for the pen first, five minutes later, ask for the paper. Then another pen 'cos *this one doesn't work...

 

Have you seen one of these advisers having a hissy fit ?

I have, but I wouldn't recommend you do what I did to elicit the response.

[pcombo]

Well i sign on wednesday, So am going to take this letter with me and question some of the parts pointed out here. I'll ask for a manager in the job centre.

[ep1987]

This isn't going to end well. Is there a reason that you're not getting the assistance you need with your anxiety? Is there a reason you won't apply for ESA?

 

Trust me; it will be less stressful than the work programme and will actually help you.

[pcombo]

This isn't going to end well. Is there a reason that you're not getting the assistance you need with your anxiety? Is there a reason you won't apply for ESA?

 

Trust me; it will be less stressful than the work programme and will actually help you.

 

 

I dont know how to approach the issue, I dotn feel i can just go to the doctor and say i have a auxity issue can i get a sick note. How would i get diagnosed with this.

[Mr.P]

Well i sign on wednesday, So am going to take this letter with me and question some of the parts pointed out here. I'll ask for a manager in the job centre.

 

Something was bugging me about this "letter", and it finally clicked early hours.... If you read Chapter 3a of the DWP issued Work Programme provider guidance, on page 8, it states:

28. Please Note: The Work Programme is European Social Fund (ESF) funded and you must display the ESF logo on all your participant facing materials (DWP Provider Guidance Chapter 11 - ESF Requirements (England Only)). You must also display the Jobcentre Plus logo (communication centre) alongside the ESF logo. It is important that you access the most up to date information on logos whenever you make a change to your notifications.

 

On that basis, if nothing else, the letter in post #5 fails to conform to DWP guidance and could be deemed invalid. A technicality, but certainly an issue to raise with the JCP (that and the use of the phrase "JOBSEEKER DIRECTION").

[Nystagmite]

I dont know how to approach the issue, I dotn feel i can just go to the doctor and say i have a auxity issue can i get a sick note. How would i get diagnosed with this.

 

Just explain the symptoms you have. Then discuss with the doctor whether it's best to get signed off. Depending on how bad your asthma is, you may also be able to get signed off on that basis.

[Beatrice Bee]

My printed out "tasks" contain the JCP logo, the European Social Fund logo, my full name and address, adviser's full name, which Seetec centre, their phone number, WP JSA 25+ Fortnightly Review and Progression Record [though it was done monthly]. Date of next review, list of how my benefit is affected if I do not do this or that, name of regulation [Assisting Persons to Obtain Employment..], my signature, my adviser's signature and we both dated it. Moderate barriers.

 

Had to go in once a week for a non-supervised job search. Was not told how long to stay or which day to go. At one point they came up with the idea customers have to book jobsearch to ensure a computer is available when they come in. You sing in at reception when you arrive [time/date] and sign out when you leave [proof of showing up].

 

From Seetec's WP customer phone you can not call UK mobiles but landlines. So talked to my mum abroad on her mobile [about possible job opportunities]. Funny they do not bar foreign mobile numbers and landlines.

 

Looks like the adviser will be sending WP08 about missed job search app when OP attends medical app. JSA will be suspended while decision maker looks at the reason provided by customer for missing WP jobsearch app.

 

OP will get a letter a week after the missed WP app wanting a good cause for not showing up.

Will have to show that it was not reasonable to re-arrange the medical app, then it is accepted as a good cause and JSA is reinstated within 1-2 weeks of the OP posting the good cause letter to DM.

 

WP provider is not very nice because if you re-arrange the app in advance, they can choose not to send the WP08 letter [aka grass up about missed app].

 

Doctor should provide a statement that it was not reasonable to re-arrange the app.

 

Find out your adviser's and his manager's Working Link email address. Email them to ask that your WL inhouse jobsearch is re-arranged because you can not attend on / / 2014 due to a medical app which is not reasonable to be rearranged. Say in the email "please reply to my email via email within 2 working days".

 

Attach the printout of the above email to the good cause letter you send to the DM. + evidece of the medical app.

 

WL got a sanction on their mind but the above evidence will convince DM that OP is innocent.

[Beatrice Bee]

[pcombo]

 

I have printed this out and will highlight the specified parts and show it to working links.

 

It clearly stats on the letter, i have to attend once per week starting 30th january to which i did, But i left 1 hour early because my advisor wasn't there and it clearly says on the letter "your consultant will assist you etc" my consultant went home.

 

I am not letting these bunch of private own idiots control my life.

 

Also can anyway explain, when did i agree to have working links overrule my DWP work agreement??? I never signed to say i wouldn't follow this and follow what they say.

[Mr.P]

Also can anyway explain, when did i agree to have working links overrule my DWP work agreement??? I never signed to say i wouldn't follow this and follow what they say.

 

You didn't. DWP guidance clearly states that any restrictions in a claimant's JSAg must be taken in to consideration by the WP provider. Make a suggestion that WL "consultants" read chapter 3a if they are in any doubt.

[Beatrice Bee]

Sorry to say but you will have to attend all three weekly appointments with WL otherwise they refer you to eligibility doubt which means your JSA is suspended immediately after failure to attend and it may take several weeks before reinstated. You do not want the stress caused by not knowing whether you sanctioned for good or what's happening..

 

The WL "mandatory letter" can be interpreted in two ways and they will make it out it means the days and hours listed [3 days] and not the sentence which says come in once a week. A DM will see it is as controversial [and rubbish] so you can argue you did not understand the letter. DM will say why didn't you seek clarifications? Adviser will say client was given clarification and told to come it 3 times a week.

 

I had JSA suspension twice and believe me the stress is bad. They will cause you more trouble if you do not go in three times a week. Underhand techniques to sanction you. I had a task listed in my action plan which I was never notified about. All because I complained about my adviser. New adviser asked me if I completed the task. First I said where the hell did that come from [to myself]. To adviser I said yes. She asked if it was useful. I said yes and explained why. So it was listed as Completed on my file.

 

Advisers will claim they handed you notifications which they never did. So keep it friendly otherwise guaranteed sanctions in 2 weeks time. That "i want to see app letter why you not coming so that I can notify JCP" means "I intend to sanction you because you do not do as you are told".

 

Bet they get a bonus if they get a claimant off benefits [whether it is work or sanction] so do be careful.

[ep1987]

I dont know how to approach the issue, I dotn feel i can just go to the doctor and say i have a auxity issue can i get a sick note. How would i get diagnosed with this.

 

The doctor will work with you, WL are working against you. Just go and describe your symptoms; you will be asked to fill in a mental health assessment form (multiple choice) and will likely be referred to the community mental health team for counselling. It isn't easy asking for help but will cause far less stress in the long run than being in the work programme whilst on JSA.

[pcombo]

Sign off and apply for ESA.

 

Go to your GP and get a referral to the community mental health team.

 

When the ESA50 arrives in the post come back on this site and people will help you with how to fill it in and give useful links. Should you fail at ATOS you can appeal to a tribunal. All of this time you will get paid the same as JSA so long as you send in sick notes (some delays possible of course) and won't have to be a slave to the work programme.

 

 

What is the difference in ESA50 and ESA1.

 

What application do i need to fill in??

[Nystagmite]

ESA1 is the initial claim form for ESA. ESA50 is the form which asks you about your health conditions and the problems you have because of them.

[ep1987]

What is the difference in ESA50 and ESA1.

 

What application do i need to fill in??

 

It's best to ring up and do the initial claim over the phone. Then when the ESA50 arrives make sure you fill it in with the descriptors in mind.

[Helen2264]

What is the difference in ESA50 and ESA1.

 

What application do i need to fill in??

 

First fill in the ESA1 please do not fill anything over the phone can be a mistake, I've seen what happened to my neighbour when she filled forms over the phone with the dwp, she was failed on the spot, also they couldn't find copy of the forms she did over the phone then she had to start all over again. The ESA50 she did over the phone when they sent a copy it was totally the wrong form from the original ESA50 of course she failed without even being asked for an ATOS medical. I've helped her filling in both forms ESA1 and ESA50 then post it but I just got tips last week by one of their staff at the processing centre at stratford on posting forms and letters the lady told me never to send anything by post anymore it will take two weeks before they receive anything stuff just get lying there by purpose and each letter or form you send takes 2 weeks each and that is why it can take up to three months to get something processed.

 

Stratford centre is the processing centre when you've managed to get through to the them after dealing with evil regime of the dwp and ATOS so people work there are different to what you will find at the job centre some will give you few tips and advice. I was told to go to my local job centre and ask someone there to email any paperwork, you must get a name though of the person you spoke to at the stratford processing centre then you tell your local jobcentre you've been told by 'joe blogg' to email document to them I've just got some documents emailed even then they don't see it until a day later.

 

Get a sick note from your gp stating you are not fit for work or looking for work then fill in the ESA1 enclosing the gp sick note.

 

hope this helps.

[pcombo]

I went to the doctor today.

 

I was given a 4 week line. I am just wondering what do i do now with this and after it expires.

[ep1987]

Bump so someone can help.

 

Have you applied for ESA yet?

 

I understand what Helen is saying but trust me, ringing up to make the claim will expedite the process and is really just to get the ball rolling. You will need to sign-off from JSA on the same day. Post a copy of the sick note to your local benefit centre (make sure you note your national insurance number). When it runs out you will need to send another one. I got sick notes for over a year from my GP as it was understood that my anxiety and depression were long standing.

 

Have you been referred to the community mental health team?

 

Were you prescribed medication?

 

First and foremost you need your GP to understand the severity of your problem. If it's not too late; try to focus on what you can't do rather than what you can with your GP. If you find them unsympathetic then see someone else next time (but it is important to form a relationship with one doctor).

[rebel11]

Hi pcombo

 

Workinglinks portray that they are out to help people gain meaningful employment, in fact they are self serving, interested in one thing only, their own profits, Workinglinks are owned by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young with other partners. I recently read that they aren't doing well, maybe that's why your getting attitude from them.

 

Don't be scared to complain.

 

http://www.workinglinks.co.uk/pdf/4025%20customer%20complaints%20procedure.pdf

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure

[pcombo]

I am going to apply for ESA today as instructed so by JCP..

 

I also sent an email to the ESF this is that they said.

 

Thank you for forwarding the copy of the "Jobseekers Direction" you were issued by Working Links.

 

The notification you have sent has a number of problems with it and we will be requesting Working Links amend the letter to address the concerns we have via our Performance Management Teams.

 

1. As you point out the letter does not display the JCP or ESF logo as required.

 

2. On reading the notification I agree the wording re attendance is confusing, in one paragraph states you are to attend three times a week. In the next contradicts by saying "You are to attend Working Links once per week".

 

3. You are correct a "Jobseekers Direction" may only be issued by a member of JCP who have Employment Officer status.

 

I would like to thank you for bringing this issue to the attention of the Department and assure we will work to get these matters addressed. Also, we will request Working Links issue you with a correct Mandatory Activity Notification.

 

I have also launched an official complaint at JC, They said if i were to ever sign JSA again I would most likely go with Ingeus , the the relationship with working links is done.

[Mr.P]

I have also launched an official complaint at JC.

 

Go get 'em tiger.

 

Also note that the fake JSD lacks any contact info and it also fails to give a location for this "activity" - But WL should get an ear or two bent on all points raised so far.