Can I stop Work-Focused Interviews by sending in a sick note?

If I send in a sick note to say I am not well enought to attend work-focussed interviews does anyone know whether these will be accepted so that my benefits are not sanctioned? Thank you.

[Hidden]

Hello Reflections, I personally would be really careful about this. If you are genuinely not well enough to attend a work -focused interview you have to have good reason to cancel. You would have to notify the people concerned in good time and then it would be down to a decision maker to decide whether your reason is justifiable.

It is up to the decision maker solely at this point. If he/she doesn't think there is good reason for you to cancel an interview you will receive an ESA Sanction which basically means your benefits would be reduced quite considerably.

I would make absolutely sure that I couldn't go because I wouldn't personally risk the repercussions. The benefit system is stressful and "delicate" at the best of times. this could be an unnecessary hindrance to you and could significantly affect your benefit. If you have to cancel make sure you lay it on the line in great detail to convince whoever you are speaking to that your reason is justified. It's not worth the risk otherwise.

It will be interesting to see what other members' opinions are about this and whether they would risk it, or better still if they have cancelled and faced the possible repercussions.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the very best Reflections, we will do all we can to help and support you along the way.

(((hug))) xxx

Libs

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you also for your considered response. I agreed it is risky. Surely I have some rights on this? DWP do not operate across the board on this.

[Ozzygirl64]

It would be hard for them to accpet that you were too ill to go as I suspect that they are expecting people to do this. As Libs says it is a risky thing to do unless you are genuinely ill at that time. And it is not something I would risk. If I had to go I would go and show willing. They will see for themselves how your illness affects you an any given day. As I said I would not risk it at all ever. You may do it once and get away with it, but I would tread very very carefully. To get out of it you would have to be virtually on your knees. I am not sayng anyone one would just go get a sick note but there are people out there who will try it and most likely find there benefits cut. At the end of the day it is just not worth it. I had to go for an interview for Income Support, I was in no state to go, but I went. If I had not gone I would not have been paid all of it. But when I got there they treated me like royalty becasue they could see for themselves how ill I was xxxxx

[hamble99b]

I am on steroids and methotrexate for another condition and this means I am immuno-suppressed. I appealed attending the WRAG meetings because of this and was contacted by telephone instead.

regards,

sandra.

[bodeia]

As others have cautioned I would also so beware, the DWP are using any excuse at the moment for sanctioning people.

My eldest had an appointment at the hospital with her rheumatologist provided proof with the letter and they still reduced her benefit, they said she could have rearranged the hospital appointment.

She did ask for a revision of the decision and only after we got our MP involved did they change their minds - but as you can imagine all the extra stress and worry it caused her

btw my eldest has RA, crohn's and FM but was still put in the work related group

[tarka53 in reply to bodeia]

i have also been told when i tried to re arrange appointment as i was due to go and have cortisone injections that the WFI is more important and i must cancel my doctors appointment. this gets me so annoyed as you are trying to get yourself better and they have the rights to delay medical help.

[ArctoLindy]

One of my friends managed to have her work focussed interview by phone as it was impossible for her to get to the Jobcentre.

[tarka53 in reply to ArctoLindy]

asked for phone interview as i have half hour walk to get there and i have osteo arthritis in knees hips and ankles. told them i had just had cortisone injection in right knee and am waiting for call to get more treatment and was told if they the doctor phones tell him the WFI comes first and they would not do phone interview.and if i dont go they will suspend my money. so does this mean they are above your doctor and your health.

[Hidden]

Thank you everyone for your responses, I'm beginning to feel that my hands are tied and that I have no rights at all concerning my health - I have ME also and become housebound, which mean if my money is stopped then I go down. I enquired about a telephone interview and was told only as a one off. I need to be able to find out fully what my rights are as this is so one sided.

[Ozzygirl64]

Basicallyhun your hands are tied. They are forcing people to 'do as they are told' so to speak. I am glad they are going to do it by phone. But I am sceptical about phoning them since they used that to say I can use a telephone to communicate, which would most likely qualify me to work as a telephonist in their eyes xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Ozzygirl64]

I'd prefer to have a phone interview because physically getting there would be exhausting, though there are days when I would be unable to take part in a telephone interview, or for a short time only. They are saying as a one off only. I'm going to look further into this. Thank you.

[tarka53]

my partner has med4 and sick note.i phoned to change date of WFI or if a phone interview was possible.they said he must cancel his dr appointment and if he did not attend his money would be sanctioned a doctors note means nothing.at the interview i questioned this and was told just the opposite .as it was i record all my telephone conversations and he could not believe it and said i should not have been told to cancel dr app. he also said as my partners dwp letter stated he qualified for esa under exceptional circumstances and would be at risk for himself and to others he should not be in WFI but as he was on their list for WFI he must continue to go and told us to get in touch with DWP .which i did i also applied to dr for copy of all his treatments he is having as requested by them and to send it to them and this will start a new appeal.my partner has Progressive neurological disorder.osteoarthritis in hips knees and ankles.fluid on his lungs and breathing problems so if he goes out i have to go everywhere with him.so now till this is sorted i have to attend dr app. hospital. WFI.and any re training course or any WFI send him.i am 62 soon and this is now making me ill i have gone from 8st to 6st6.with the stress and worry. they now say he will have to attend WFI for possible 26 weeks until appeal is heard.so will keep you informed if i dont dissappear altogether.