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ESA Work Related Interview
- Kevin7524
- Topic Author
10 years 1 month ago #134122 by Kevin7524
ESA Work Related Interview was created by Kevin7524
In a week I must attend the work related interview and I am worried about what they can ask me to do. Do they make you do compulsory activities or is this interview just advising me on what is available as was suggested to me when I phoned about it?
Also how often is this to happen?
I suffer from anxiety disorder and depression. If I phoned in sick before the interview would I be penalized or simply told to attend at another date?
Thank you for any advice.
Also how often is this to happen?
I suffer from anxiety disorder and depression. If I phoned in sick before the interview would I be penalized or simply told to attend at another date?
Thank you for any advice.
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- Gordon
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10 years 1 month ago #134165 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA Work Related Interview
Kevin
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
You don't say where you are in the ESA process, whether you are still in the assessment phase or whether you have been placed in the WRAG.
If the former then it is likely a one off interview to find out more about your problems and they will not contact you again until a Decision is made.
If you are in the WRAG then these meetings can be weekly, although this is unlikely, but you should expect to have to regularly attend.
Your attendance at WFI's is mandatory and your benefit can be sanctioned if you do not attend, so you should think carefully before not doing so.
As this is your first meeting the JC+ advisor will not know anything about your claim, they have no access to the detailed information on your claim that may be held on the DWP computers, so whilst they must take into account any limitations that result from your conditions they cannot do this until you have told them about them.
If you feel that you cannot attend then you can ask for the interview to be held over the phone, but you will need to speak to the advisor to arrange this, there should be a phone number on the WFI invitation.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
You don't say where you are in the ESA process, whether you are still in the assessment phase or whether you have been placed in the WRAG.
If the former then it is likely a one off interview to find out more about your problems and they will not contact you again until a Decision is made.
If you are in the WRAG then these meetings can be weekly, although this is unlikely, but you should expect to have to regularly attend.
Your attendance at WFI's is mandatory and your benefit can be sanctioned if you do not attend, so you should think carefully before not doing so.
As this is your first meeting the JC+ advisor will not know anything about your claim, they have no access to the detailed information on your claim that may be held on the DWP computers, so whilst they must take into account any limitations that result from your conditions they cannot do this until you have told them about them.
If you feel that you cannot attend then you can ask for the interview to be held over the phone, but you will need to speak to the advisor to arrange this, there should be a phone number on the WFI invitation.
If you have more questions then please reply to this post and we will do our best to help.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Kevin7524
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- Kevin7524
- Topic Author
9 years 11 months ago - 9 years 11 months ago #137407 by Kevin7524
Replied by Kevin7524 on topic ESA Work Related Interview
I telephoned them about this and it turned out I was in assessment phase and that the Work Focused Interview was not compulsory so I did not attend.
However I just had another letter to say I must go to a medical next week. If I turn up is this going to go against me, in other words if i am well enough to attend they will assume I am well enough to work?
I am worried about this and may phone in before the medical date to ask if I can have the medical over the phone instead. Do you advise this as a better option?
Thanks for any help you can offer me.
However I just had another letter to say I must go to a medical next week. If I turn up is this going to go against me, in other words if i am well enough to attend they will assume I am well enough to work?
I am worried about this and may phone in before the medical date to ask if I can have the medical over the phone instead. Do you advise this as a better option?
Thanks for any help you can offer me.
Last edit: 9 years 11 months ago by .
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9 years 11 months ago - 9 years 11 months ago #137414 by
Hi K7524,
If the "medical" that you speak of is a face to face assessment with : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15.
It is totally different to The WFI that you were asked to attend at The JC Plus !!
ESA face to face assessments cannot be carried out over the phone !!
As it appears that your are still in the Assessment Phase of ESA the face to face is to see whether you qualify for The WRAG or Support Group, (SG) or whether you are "fit for work".
Although you can rearrange a face to face once, if you fail to take part twice without "Good Cause" your ESA payments will cease, and you will be classed as being fit for work.
If you feel that you qualify for a Home Assessment or you need to rearrange this appointment, you need to contact Maximus (CHDA).
For a Home Assessment, they will probably insist that your G.P. Faxes them with a letter supporting the fact that you are unable to make the return trip to/from an Assessment Centre.
If you have not been given the opportunity to fill in and return an ESA50 Questionnaire, or you have, but it was so long ago that you feel that it does not reflect your current limitations, you should read through : This Post.
bro58
Replied by on topic ESA Work Related Interview
Kevin7524 wrote: I telephoned them about this and it turned out I was in assessment phase and that the Work Focused Interview was not compulsory so I did not attend.
However I just had another letter to say I must go to a medical next week. If I turn up is this going to go against me, in other words if i am well enough to attend they will assume I am well enough to work?
I am worried about this and may phone in before the medical date to ask if I can have the medical over the phone instead. Do you advise this as a better option?
Thanks for any help you can offer me.
Hi K7524,
If the "medical" that you speak of is a face to face assessment with : The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) (Maximus) who took over the ESA WCA Contract from ATOS on 02/03/15.
It is totally different to The WFI that you were asked to attend at The JC Plus !!
ESA face to face assessments cannot be carried out over the phone !!
As it appears that your are still in the Assessment Phase of ESA the face to face is to see whether you qualify for The WRAG or Support Group, (SG) or whether you are "fit for work".
Although you can rearrange a face to face once, if you fail to take part twice without "Good Cause" your ESA payments will cease, and you will be classed as being fit for work.
If you feel that you qualify for a Home Assessment or you need to rearrange this appointment, you need to contact Maximus (CHDA).
For a Home Assessment, they will probably insist that your G.P. Faxes them with a letter supporting the fact that you are unable to make the return trip to/from an Assessment Centre.
If you have not been given the opportunity to fill in and return an ESA50 Questionnaire, or you have, but it was so long ago that you feel that it does not reflect your current limitations, you should read through : This Post.
bro58
Last edit: 9 years 11 months ago by .
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- Kevin7524
- Topic Author
9 years 6 months ago #145635 by Kevin7524
Replied by Kevin7524 on topic ESA Work Related Interview
I have blown it. Twice I could not go through with the medical assessment, and I telephoned ot cancel. I filled in a form they sent me explaining why I didn't attend saying how I had not slept for two days and the panic symptoms took over as the time approached. I stated I had tried but became too ill. I also requested they arrange a telephone medical due to my problem.
I have had a letter since then saying I am no longer allowed ESA and have been judged fit to work from the date my medical should have been.
I have written back immediately requesting a mandatory reconsideration so I wait to hear about this.
Is it the case that I will not be paid now during the mandatory reconsideration?
I have had a letter since then saying I am no longer allowed ESA and have been judged fit to work from the date my medical should have been.
I have written back immediately requesting a mandatory reconsideration so I wait to hear about this.
Is it the case that I will not be paid now during the mandatory reconsideration?
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- foss27
9 years 6 months ago #145643 by foss27
Replied by foss27 on topic ESA Work Related Interview
There is no such thing as a telephone medical.
There is a home assessment which requires your GP writing a letter of support to explain why you need a home assessment.
As you have been found fit for work you will need to sign on and claim JSA.
There is a home assessment which requires your GP writing a letter of support to explain why you need a home assessment.
As you have been found fit for work you will need to sign on and claim JSA.
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