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Work Program.

Bloodheart

Does anyone know what our rights are while within the Work Program (and larger benefits system such as Job Seekers Allowence)? 

I've had multiple problems with the Job Centre and New Deal - general prejudice and ignorance from advisors, being told I have to phone to appy for benefits (I can't use a telephone) and refused any help unless I 'get over it', being told I'm mentally incapable, verbally abused, forced off JSA and onto ESA, and being forced into work placements I was either unable to fulfill or that put me at serious risk. All that is on top of the other problems unemployed people have with the job centre. Now I've just started on the Work Program and I'm terrified of what's going to happen. 

For example what do I do if they try to make me apply for jobs I'm unable to do due to autism? They mentioned classes involving role play or social speaking which I simply cannot do, what happens if they claim this is my being unwilling to participate in mandatory classes? They seem to make no allowences for disabled clients, so I'm worried they'll threaten to stop benefits if I'm unable to do something. 

No one has ever been able to tell me what the job centre can or cannot make me do, what to do if they threaten to remove my benefits, or whether I can refuse to deal with staff who are openly prejudice towards me. What are my rights? 

Parents

  • In theory they can't make you do X, Y and Z - but in reatlity how should we deal with this? It just seems like there is no solid information about what they (Work Program or Job Centre) can or can't make you do - both in regards to disabilities and in general - so you're terrified of standing up for yourself in case they stop benefits. 

    For example I had problems with the job centre kicking me off JSA because not being able to use a phone apparently meant I wasn't following my job seekers agreement - I knew they were wrong for doing this, but I didn't know my rights enough to say 'No, you can't do that' so I thus had a meltdown in the middle of the office and was forced off JSA regardless. Not even CAB seemed to know my rights to tell me whether or not this was okay, or whether I was within my rights to refuse to see this advisor again (who was also verbally abusive and insulting in the process). 

    Something going around the disabled communities right now - http://www.refusewp.com - Refuse the Work Program, apparently ways of complying without allowing them to use your information against you. I've already signed forms (because I didn't think I had a choice), and am too confused about my rights to know if it would be safe for me to revoke my consent for them to have/use my information.

Reply

  • In theory they can't make you do X, Y and Z - but in reatlity how should we deal with this? It just seems like there is no solid information about what they (Work Program or Job Centre) can or can't make you do - both in regards to disabilities and in general - so you're terrified of standing up for yourself in case they stop benefits. 

    For example I had problems with the job centre kicking me off JSA because not being able to use a phone apparently meant I wasn't following my job seekers agreement - I knew they were wrong for doing this, but I didn't know my rights enough to say 'No, you can't do that' so I thus had a meltdown in the middle of the office and was forced off JSA regardless. Not even CAB seemed to know my rights to tell me whether or not this was okay, or whether I was within my rights to refuse to see this advisor again (who was also verbally abusive and insulting in the process). 

    Something going around the disabled communities right now - http://www.refusewp.com - Refuse the Work Program, apparently ways of complying without allowing them to use your information against you. I've already signed forms (because I didn't think I had a choice), and am too confused about my rights to know if it would be safe for me to revoke my consent for them to have/use my information.

Children
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