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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

  • Scorpion0x17 said:

    ESA, or Employment Support Allowance, whilst it is the replacement for Incapacity Benefit, doesn't work in exactly the same way as Incapacity Benefit worked.

    Basically, it was all part of the previous government's drive to get more disabled people into work, and is meant for anyone with a disability, whether they wish to work or not.

    Now, getting through the assesment part, as you found first time round, can be difficult - I had to appeal, though I was claiming on the grounds of my Crohn's disease,a dn before I'd had a diagnosis of Asperger's, though I was also at the point with that where I knew there was 'something' else, just not what.

    Anyway, at the appeal it's not like the assesment, you get a chance to actually explain what difficulties you have, and it's not just box-ticking exercise like the assement is.

    I also believe that the assessments have been improved, or so they say, and with the Autism Strategy now being law, they should take that into account.

    OK, once you get through the assesment (and possible appeal) phase, you'll be put into one of two groups - I can't remember the official names for them, but they're essentially the 'employment' group, and the 'non-employment' group - the latter is for people they consider unfit for work (and you basically have to be dead, or nearly dead, to get into that group!) and the former is for everyone else, and you'll be given the opportunity to receive help in finding suitable work.

    There's much less pressure put on you, and they're much more helpful.

    Thank you, that's a lot clearer.

    I think it is worth my at least attempting to apply for ESA. 

    It's been confirmed that the Work Program expect me to apply for over three times as many jobs (regardless of whether the jobs are suitable or not) and they're being stricter in how I job search, they've already shown ignorance towards autism by insisting that I make eye contact, and they're being very clear that certain things are MANDATORY regardless of my disability. I KNOW that they're going to make me lose my benefits and/or I'm going to have another big meltdown which will force me deeper into regression so make it even harder for me to find work. I can't cope with this. 

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  • Scorpion0x17 said:

    ESA, or Employment Support Allowance, whilst it is the replacement for Incapacity Benefit, doesn't work in exactly the same way as Incapacity Benefit worked.

    Basically, it was all part of the previous government's drive to get more disabled people into work, and is meant for anyone with a disability, whether they wish to work or not.

    Now, getting through the assesment part, as you found first time round, can be difficult - I had to appeal, though I was claiming on the grounds of my Crohn's disease,a dn before I'd had a diagnosis of Asperger's, though I was also at the point with that where I knew there was 'something' else, just not what.

    Anyway, at the appeal it's not like the assesment, you get a chance to actually explain what difficulties you have, and it's not just box-ticking exercise like the assement is.

    I also believe that the assessments have been improved, or so they say, and with the Autism Strategy now being law, they should take that into account.

    OK, once you get through the assesment (and possible appeal) phase, you'll be put into one of two groups - I can't remember the official names for them, but they're essentially the 'employment' group, and the 'non-employment' group - the latter is for people they consider unfit for work (and you basically have to be dead, or nearly dead, to get into that group!) and the former is for everyone else, and you'll be given the opportunity to receive help in finding suitable work.

    There's much less pressure put on you, and they're much more helpful.

    Thank you, that's a lot clearer.

    I think it is worth my at least attempting to apply for ESA. 

    It's been confirmed that the Work Program expect me to apply for over three times as many jobs (regardless of whether the jobs are suitable or not) and they're being stricter in how I job search, they've already shown ignorance towards autism by insisting that I make eye contact, and they're being very clear that certain things are MANDATORY regardless of my disability. I KNOW that they're going to make me lose my benefits and/or I'm going to have another big meltdown which will force me deeper into regression so make it even harder for me to find work. I can't cope with this. 

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