ESA Support Group - Called into Job Centre Plus

This time last year Mr C was awarded ESA in the Support Group with review in one year. No doubt due to the backlog, he has not received a new ESA50 to complete - not that we are complaining!!

However, he recently received a phone call from our local Job Centre Plus asking him to attend an appointment & this was confirmed in a letter which arrived a few days later. He was asked to take various documents, including passport, bank statements, tenancy agreements, evidence of tax credits etc. which was slightly worrying & that failure to attend may affect his benefit.

As it turned out, the meeting was quite straightforward & seemingly ‘voluntary’. The adviser looked at his passport & bank statements, checked their computer records, ascertained nothing had changed since our visit last year, advised on doing voluntary work whilst on ESA & said they will be in touch again in six months.

Reflecting on this, we were a bit puzzled quite what the purpose of the appointment was, especially wanting to see a passport. We wondered if it had anything to do with checking the nationality /status of benefit claimants or perhaps it was nothing but a simple a routine review. Either way, thought I’d post this update in case any other members get a similar summons to a ‘voluntary’ meeting.

Hi. I have chosen to write on this topic rather than start a new thread as it sounds the same or similar to me at present. I received a letter on Saturday to attend the local job centre for an interview complete with passport, details of savings etc next week. I am in the support group of ESA, but I dont know how long I was awarded it for. I have been too scared to query it but have been in receipt of it now over a year. I rang them this morning to ask the purpose of the interview as I really feel i would struggle to get there with my illness and disability as bad as it is. They were very nice but said I had to go and if that time and date wasnt convenient it could be arranged to suit me and who takes me in my wheel chair. The lady said they are calling in everyone to check that people's identity and circumstances. i notice there was no reply to the above comment and just wonder if anyone else has been through this or any of the moderators are aware of this now happening. Naturally I am concerned and will attend but fear the effect involved and stress will make me ill for some time after. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I will post again when I have been.

Heffy wrote: Hi. I have chosen to write on this topic rather than start a new thread as it sounds the same or similar to me at present. I received a letter on Saturday to attend the local job centre for an interview complete with passport, details of savings etc next week. I am in the support group of ESA, but I dont know how long I was awarded it for. I have been too scared to query it but have been in receipt of it now over a year. I rang them this morning to ask the purpose of the interview as I really feel i would struggle to get there with my illness and disability as bad as it is. They were very nice but said I had to go and if that time and date wasnt convenient it could be arranged to suit me and who takes me in my wheel chair. The lady said they are calling in everyone to check that people's identity and circumstances. i notice there was no reply to the above comment and just wonder if anyone else has been through this or any of the moderators are aware of this now happening. Naturally I am concerned and will attend but fear the effect involved and stress will make me ill for some time after. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I will post again when I have been.

Hi H,

This sounds like a Benefits/Compliance Check to see whether you are receiving the correct amount of benefits, which you would have to take part in, rather than anything to do with Work Related Activity, which would be purely voluntary, as you are in The SG.

Yes, we have heard from several members who have had to take part in such interviews, and they are mandatory.

If you provide the documentation that they have requested, and answer any queries, all should be O.K.

If you cannot travel to The JCP to attend the interview due to limitations caused by your disabilities, you can request that the interview takes place in your home.

You can have someone else present for support if you wish.

If you wish to find out the recommended period of your SG Award before reassessment, (The Prognosis) you can ring : THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA.

They should have it on-screen.

Failing that, you can request the information in writing, see : Here.

If you are to ring up, do so as early as possible.

bro58

Thank you for the info. I did ask if someone could come here on a home visit to me but she said no that wasnt possible. I had explained that the whole process and effort of getting there with a neurological progressive illness will make me ill for sometime after, but she said we will make you visit as comfortable as possible once here. Naturally i will attend and go with my friend. i still dont feel able to query how long my SG award is for as I spend much of my time in sheer panic now about the postman arriving and PIP assessment will come next. Thank you.

Heffy wrote: Thank you for the info. I did ask if someone could come here on a home visit to me but she said no that wasnt possible. I had explained that the whole process and effort of getting there with a neurological progressive illness will make me ill for sometime after, but she said we will make you visit as comfortable as possible once here. Naturally i will attend and go with my friend. i still dont feel able to query how long my SG award is for as I spend much of my time in sheer panic now about the postman arriving and PIP assessment will come next. Thank you.

Hi H,

You could push the issue of them coming to your home if you wish.

As The DWP are Public Service Providers, they are duty bound by The Equality Act 2010.

Therefore, if you fulfill : The Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010, they must make "Reasonable Adjustments" for limitations caused by a claimant's disabilities.

See : "Adjustments for disabled persons." Sections 20-21 EA2010

They also have a "Duty of Care" as at : Section 149 EA2010 "Public sector equality duty."

They should know better, especially as you are in The SG, and if the limitations that gained you access to The SG result in mobility limitations.

It is up to you, but you could ring them and inform them of their obligations to make Reasonable Adjustments under EA2010, they may change their tune.

bro58

Thank you for the all above advice but I darent push the issue of a home visit and will endeavour to get there somehow, even though I know it will be extremely painful, risk a flare up right over Xmas and stressful too. What puzzles me most though is that they are asking for bank statements and savings details etc. Whilst I will co-operate and provide these I really dont see the relevance, as I am in the Support Group of ESA and this is based on NI contributions, not what money I may or may not have. Thank you. Any comments appreciated.