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ESA Support Group - Called into Job Centre Plus

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9 years 3 months ago #127446 by Gordon
Shell

I am afraid it seems to be this Governments mission to misrepresent those receiving benefits to the rest of the country.

Yes, you should receive an email in advance of your subscription coming up for renewal.

Best wishes for Christmas

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • bro58
9 years 3 months ago #127464 by bro58
Hi all,

There is an associated topic : Here.

bro58

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9 years 3 months ago #127489 by sally-jane
Replied by sally-jane on topic ESA Support Group - Called into Job Centre Plus
Very worried about these being called in for 'chats 'etc. I thought once we were in the SG we were to be left alone.
When I was placed in the SG I did have a letter asking 'to come in for a chat' ( 1yr ago and on the previous SG award ) , but told them ' no as I was in the SG and I do not need to see you.'
I take it we now have to go in for these 'chats' if we receive a letter.
Is it worth discussing with our MP'S, or is this another incidious way of renegading on what we were first told and this id a new goal post for those in the SG.

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9 years 3 months ago #127493 by Gordon
PCM

Unfortunately we cannot tell members that they do not need to attend, but everyone should carefully question the JC+ about what the meeting is about and whether their attendance is mandatory, also, what action would the JC+ take if the invitation is refused.

To be clear, members of the Support group are not required to attend Work Focussed Interviews or to participate in any Work Related Activity, also, any limitations that would restrict your ability to attend a JC+ office must be taken into account, in particular if the accepted reasons for you being in the SG would prevent your attendance.

Gordon

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9 years 2 months ago #127578 by Heffy
Hi again. Just to post further and bring people up to date as I promised to do on this thread. Following the job centre cancelling my review appointment last month the idea of which had seemingly been to review the level of benefit I was on and look at savings etc, another letter came within days this time for a work related appointment at the job centre. I rang to explain that I was in the support group and really not well enough and far too disabled to attend nor able to look at any training or work related options. Initially I was told that I had to attend or my money would be stopped, but in fairness the computer system was down on the two occasions that I rang so they could not check my details. When I rang for a third time and the computer was working I was eventually told that the interview was voluntary and I didnt have to attend. I felt neverthless I had to go in to lengthy details to explain about why I didnt feel able to attend. At the end of the conversation I was told that I would probably receive a form to fill in. Sure enough the next day a form came and this appears to more of a review of my circumstances, like the original interview at the job centre would have been. Im not meaning to worry people in any way but just make the forum aware that this is happening to some people at the moment.
The following user(s) said Thank You: bro58

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9 years 2 months ago #127602 by IamShell
Thanks for updating, Heffy.

May I ask what kind of details they ask for on the form you have to fill in? Is it many pages long too?
Is it financial, illness details or both? Do you have to send anything in to them with the form? Did they say if you'll have to have a face-to-face after you return the form? One of the reasons I was so relieved to be in the SG was because I find visits to JCP and all that entails very difficult.

May I ask - and feel free not to say so if not comforable - but are you contribution-based or income-related? I'm wondering if they are targeting certain groups/ people in certain parts of the country etc

It's hard enough being sick and getting through the assessment process without them refusing to leave you alone in the interim, isn't it?! How anyone is supposed to make any progress in getting better - where that's possible - is beyond me!

Anyway, thanks for letting us know.

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