ESA & the Work Programme - what happens?

[Apple19]

Hi, I'm looking to get some advice on this issue :

 

I went from JSA to ESA, having gone the 13 week EPS with fit notes from my Doctor. I phoned my ingeus advisor to tell them and they are saying I have to attend to focus on where i go from here... I ended the call bemused & upset...

 

I haven't had the WCA Medical assessment, only just started my claim so I assume in the 'Waiting' phase - I'm also awaiting an appointment with mental health professional to go over my issues. I barely leave the house atm & just thinking about the journey into their office has me worried...

 

I'm also confused as I was told previously I wouldn't have to attend, now they changed their story & it's making me paranoid and anxious all over! I have always kept in contact with them but this has made me consider removing consent as it's very stressful getting told one thing then bombarded with them saying the exact opposite.

 

Can anyone help on this issue? I seem to see some people saying it's not compulsory to attend once in the waiting phase of ESA.

 

I've considered phoning the JCP to ask the ESA advisor about this as they are really good and actually helpful.

[carly123]

You don't need to go while you are waiting for your assessment they can't make you do anything,just ignore them that's what i did.

[Apple19]

Thank you carly123 for the reply - I'll do just that.

[pcombo]

Whilst you are on ESA assessment rate you do not need to attend any work program interviews, You can simply call them up and tell them you have moved to ESA and that you don't wish to attend any longer.

[jason2723637]

YES you don't have to attend any work program interviews while being on ESA (assessment phase)

[Apple19]

I got my next appointment letter, tried to phone... nothing. Try again next week.

 

Does it matter if they say mandatory appointments on the letter? I'm worried they'll put me through to my advisor, who is quite pushy & they'll insist I attend...

 

Thank you for the heads up btw!

[pcombo]

Once you are on ESA Assessment rate you don't have an advisor at the job centre, Once your JSA claim is closed so is contact with JCP and Work Program. I would keep the letter and call them on Monday just to inform you won't be attending because your claiming ESA now.

[Apple19]

Ok thanks. I'll do that & hopefully I won't get bombarded with calls & letters as i'm stressed enough atm.

[Nystagmite]

They're hoping you don't realise you don't need to attend. They more than likely know you don't need to really go, unless you either volunteer or are in WRAG and have been referred.

 

If you speak to JCP, I'm sure they'd tell you that you don't need to go either.

[jason2723637]

only thing is a compliance interview at the JCP office (which I understand is mandatory) but in my experience that's once a year while on ESA assessment phase and it comes round approx. 6 - 8 months after you started claiming ESA

[antone]

only thing is a compliance interview at the JCP office (which I understand is mandatory) but in my experience that's once a year while on ESA assessment phase and it comes round approx. 6 - 8 months after you started claiming ESA

 

Well, ESA claimants in the Assessment Phase or the WRAG can be asked to attend Work Focused Interviews at the Jobcentre. These should be no more often than once per month, although some people never get asked to attend one at all. They're a pain, but as long as you show up they can't be used to stop or sanction payments. Compliance Interviews are something different: anyone on any benefit could, in theory, be required to attend one although many claimants never are.

 

I agree with Nystagmite: in the OP's case the WP Provider is hoping that Apple19 isn't aware of the rules.

[Mr.P]

I got my next appointment letter, tried to phone... nothing. Try again next week.

 

I'm worried they'll put me through to my advisor, who is quite pushy & they'll insist I attend...

 

If you want to avoid the risk of being pushed in to agreeing to attend, you have the option of writing either an email or a letter. It only needs a couple of lines and has the advantage that it isn't so easy for them to pester you for more information or apply pressure.

[Apple19]

Well during the phone call to tell them I was on ESA, I thought the advisor started talking alittle hushed...like they didn't want others to hear what they said. I refuted these comments but they continued to pressure me... it made me feel so small...

But thinking about it, sometime later I was like... none of what they said made any sense at all It was like word vomit & nonsense rambling!

 

Thank you again for the replies folks