Work focused interviews?

As I ponder what to do about being put in Wrag ( whether to appeal or not) I scoured archives re: work focused interviews. A news letter from 5th october last year says more Wrag group claimants will be forced onto work programems either mandatory or voluntarily: It does say where previously those with a prognosis of improvement in 3 months fit that criteria it was being extened to a prognosis of improvement within 6 months.
As Atos have said I don't neeed to be seen for 2 years I wonder if anyone could clarify what that means for me aprt from having to attend the initial Wfi and five subsequent wfi's ( over what period of time)? Could I be forced into training courses of any kind?

micksville wrote:

As I ponder what to do about being put in Wrag ( whether to appeal or not) I scoured archives re: work focused interviews. A news letter from 5th october last year says more Wrag group claimants will be forced onto work programems either mandatory or voluntarily: It does say where previously those with a prognosis of improvement in 3 months fit that criteria it was being extened to a prognosis of improvement within 6 months.
As Atos have said I don't neeed to be seen for 2 years I wonder if anyone could clarify what that means for me aprt from having to attend the initial Wfi and five subsequent wfi's ( over what period of time)? Could I be forced into training courses of any kind?

Hi MV,

Thankyou for reposting in a more concise format.

It simply means that your expected reassessment date would be around the 2 year mark.

With regards to WFI's you could be required to take part in WRA, training, etc, etc, but they must take into account your limitations.

As you may know, WFI's can be deferred, or held over the phone.

See :

Work Focussed Interviews, (WFI’s)

Work Programme

How often will I be reviewed

This thread may be of interest also :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=79233#79233

Hope this helps.

bro58

One thing I noticed there Bro was that people entitled to the carers premium were exempt I get middle rate care and HRM and recieve the disbility premium of Income Support as a consequence. Is this the same thing?
Also, as i said, though i haven't had it in writing yet I have been told by borth Atos and the migration team that I dont need to be seen for at leats two years. Therefore i assume that as my GP gave me a supporting letter saying there was no more medical intervention possible that 2 years would assume a longer term prognosis.
Lastly, when i get the confirmation of award in writing is it usual to have the prognosis time on that award or would i have to request an explanation of how the DM came to that decision?

micksville wrote:

One thing I noticed there Bro was that people entitled to the carers premium were exempt I get middle rate care and HRM and recieve the disbility premium of Income Support as a consequence. Is this the same thing?
Also, as i said, though i haven't had it in writing yet I have been told by borth Atos and the migration team that I dont need to be seen for at leats two years. Therefore i assume that as my GP gave me a supporting letter saying there was no more medical intervention possible that 2 years would assume a longer term prognosis.
Lastly, when i get the confirmation of award in writing is it usual to have the prognosis time on that award or would i have to request an explanation of how the DM came to that decision?

Hi MV,

No the carers premium is different.

Carers Premium, or the Carers Allowance, are paid to people who provide care for someone in receipt of DLA Middle or Higher Rate Care, see here :

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits...rsomeone/DG_10018705

So this exemption from WFI's counts for the "Carer" not the person receiving the care.

Your award letter when you receive it, will not contain the length of your award, "The Prognosis".

To obtain this you should request your ESA85, if an ATOS medical took place, or an ESA85A if one didn't, see :

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

ESA Forms

The above can be requested over the phone, but should be backed up in writing, to the address on any letters regarding your ESA.

bro58

Thanks Bro I'll certainly request that as a matter of course anyway....and as stated I'm assuming the 2 years period if confirmed is a prognosis that i am in the longer term category- for e.g. i have a friend who was given one year and she hasn't been subject to any real scrutiny on her WFI's thus far.
I assume 2 years before being seen again means they accept Im unlikely to improve withing the next 3-6 months anyway

micksville wrote:

Thanks Bro I'll certainly request that as a matter of course anyway....and as stated I'm assuming the 2 years period if confirmed is a prognosis that i am in the longer term category- for e.g. i have a friend who was given one year and she hasn't been subject to any real scrutiny on her WFI's thus far.
I assume 2 years before being seen again means they accept Im unlikely to improve withing the next 3-6 months anyway

Hi MV,

One would certainly think so.

bro58