ESA Work Related Interview

[sue57]

Well guys...tomorrow's the day!! I'm stressing like billy-o!! Fibro is in overdrive, I just hope I can get through the interview!! Really worried - ESA letter says it is payable to the end of November. I'm really worried as to what will happen after that..........

[ellabella]

Hi Sue, please don't worry , I had the same problem last week. I quite made myself ill with it. The interview, is it a Personal Advisor interview ?. Mine was and I was convinced I would be made to work or starve on the streets!. They just wanted to check things had not improved healthwise and circumstances were the same. Actually the advisor said now that he had seen me face to face any other interviews could be carried out over the phone. Please don't worry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[sue57]

Ohhhh, thanks so much ellabella. You have put my mind at rest. Yes, it is a personal advisor interview. I'm so convinced, like you, that they'll make me find a job or else!! Apparently it's to see what help I would need to get a job, retraining etc. The only work I've ever done is in the nursing and care profession!! But obviously I can't do that anymore. I'mm 55 and don't really know what they expect me to do!! Thanks so much for your reply. Will report back here tomorrow on what happened. XXX

[Hidden]

I hope it all goes well for you today Sue, I expect you might be having your interview by now as time is ticking along today. Please let us know how you get on and if there's anything we can do to help you.

Have you a copy of the info sheets from Benefit and Work, if not, please email us at [e-mail] and we will be happy to send them to you.

I hope it all goes well for you. Here's a hug (((hug)))

[sue57]

Well, I went in and like ellabella I was convinced I would be sweeping the streets today!! BUT...it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Put it this way, I slept a little better last night. The advisor, Jacqui was OK, of course, the ice breaker was - 'have we met before?' No, definitely not!!! She just asked what my problems were and how they impact on my daily life and I told her...no holds barred!! She said I won't need a medical for 12 months, thank goodness, and my condition won't get any better by then! She said she'll have to keep in contact with me, as the law stands, but a decision will have to be made by the powers that be how frequently that will be, every 6 or 12 months. She gave me some contact numbers which I might like to get in touch with, but it's totally voluntary and won't affect my ESA. She told me that I can earn up to £100 a week for 12 months before my ESA is stopped! That made me laugh.....if I can work for 12 months I can work for 12 years!!! I can also do voluntary work if I choose, but if I could work don't they think I would...AND get paid for it?? But all in all it wasn't too bad, I was shaking like a leaf but my daughter came with me for support and as a witness. ! thing I have to complain about was the chair I had to sit in. It was awful and I was crippled by the time we left. So there we go fibromites!! All over for 6 months!! Thanks for all the wonderful support and posts you all put on here....a true family!! XX