ESA SUPPORT GROUP

[Neil1st]

Hi has anyone been contacted by their Jobcentre telling them they have to report for work focussed interviews and threatened with a sanction if they don't despite being in the Support group ESA

Please let me know as I am putting a list of JCPs together who are doing this

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Neil, I was shocked to read this....I am currently appealing against a decision that has put me in the ESA WRAG, I am trying to get put into the ESA Support Group, which I believed meant that I wouldn't have to go for work fucussed interviews, and go on courses!! If people in the Support Group are being told to attend these interviews, I don't stand a chance!! Surely it must be a mistake? I hope you manage to get it sorted out....the job centres just have no sympathy whatsoever!

[Neil1st in reply to Hidden]

Hi Dianne, you don't have to go if you're in the support group that's the issue! people are being wrongly treated, I just need to know if this is happening on a bigger scale than I knew, I'm putting together a doc, about this i just need the JCP and the area, I'm doing it for DPAC I'm an adviser who specialises in ESA, I have my own advice surgery, am ex CAB but that's all I'll say about them, please ask about or let me know if your hear

Thanks

Neil

[TheAuthor]

Hi Neil1st

I sincerely hope that you are feeling well today? I do not know much about this subject personally, but I have pasted you a couple of links below whereby you should be able to find the information that you need:

Benefits And Work

benefitsandwork.co.uk/emplo...

ESA Help

esahelp.co.uk/

I want to wish you all the best of luck with this, and I would definitely ring your local JCP and enquire whether or not this is correct?

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[marialang1 in reply to TheAuthor]

I got one but mine says voluntary if i wish to go to one but i didn't go

[Neil1st in reply to marialang1]

Yes, It purely voluntary there could be a chance that the standard template letters have a typo (I used to work for A local Authority and they have literally dozens of standard letter) or it could be more sinister, will need to do a bit of investigating

[Neil1st in reply to Neil1st]

But be warned, if you do volunteer then you may be liable for sanction if you stop, if you do want help finding work in Support group I suggest job clubs etc leave DWP well alone

[Scouser58]

Hello Neil1st, I was put in the wrag part, and been for 2 of these work focussed interviews, and told them not able to work due too ............. then they made notes and off I went, just waiting to see if I get sent for any more, last one being February 25th then next in 6 months time, up till now heard nothing for the next one.

Do you think they are changing the ground rules for the esa groups? this would not surprise me one bit.

When they sent me an appointment and the time was too early, I just rang up, explained that could not make that time and arranged another time in the afternoon, which happened, the threat of sanctions is a bully boy tactic, to scare and upset you, ttfn

[couns50]

Its not a case of being threatened with a sanction if you do not attend, if you have been assessed capable in whatever capacity, despite limitations to attend and fail to attend, then it is highly likely you will be sanctioned. In terms of JCPs doing this you will need a very large note book as the majority accross the country if not all will do this, even Government approved back to work providers.