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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

  • stranger said:
    I got more help when I was just with the job centre. I'm at the doctors next week; so see what he has to say regarding whether I stay on JSA or not.

    Part of me wants to go on to ESA. That way, I'm not under pressure to apply for unsuitable jobs and can find jobs in my own time.

    This is exactly why I'm suggesting it.

    When you're on JSA all the system cares about is forcing you into any job, it doesn't care whether that job is suitable or not.

    In one way, I actually preferred it when I was put under no pressure from the job centre to actually find work. It meant that on days (like the last few) where I've had sensory overload, I could do stuff in my own time.

    Yeah, I remember when I first applied for JSA I could apply for whatever I wanted, and however many jobs I wanted, then they started on the "you need to broaden your criteria", then it was "you need to apply for X number of jobs per week", then it was "you need to provide us with proof that you're applying for X numbers of jobs per week", then it was "you have to do this course", and "you have to do that course", and all the time these demands were followed by "or we'll stop your benefits!"

    It got to the point where the stress was making me ill (I have an inflamatory bowel condition that's exacerbated by stress), and so I decalred myself sick and applied for ESA - and despite the difficulties I had in getting it (largely, I believe, because I didn't have the Asperger's diagnosis at the time), it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

    Mum wants me to work; I do too. But there's no way I can stay on JSA when they can't understand Autism. I wonder at times if anyone, apart from parents / carers and people on the spectrum understand Autism at all.

    Some do. But not many.

Reply

  • stranger said:
    I got more help when I was just with the job centre. I'm at the doctors next week; so see what he has to say regarding whether I stay on JSA or not.

    Part of me wants to go on to ESA. That way, I'm not under pressure to apply for unsuitable jobs and can find jobs in my own time.

    This is exactly why I'm suggesting it.

    When you're on JSA all the system cares about is forcing you into any job, it doesn't care whether that job is suitable or not.

    In one way, I actually preferred it when I was put under no pressure from the job centre to actually find work. It meant that on days (like the last few) where I've had sensory overload, I could do stuff in my own time.

    Yeah, I remember when I first applied for JSA I could apply for whatever I wanted, and however many jobs I wanted, then they started on the "you need to broaden your criteria", then it was "you need to apply for X number of jobs per week", then it was "you need to provide us with proof that you're applying for X numbers of jobs per week", then it was "you have to do this course", and "you have to do that course", and all the time these demands were followed by "or we'll stop your benefits!"

    It got to the point where the stress was making me ill (I have an inflamatory bowel condition that's exacerbated by stress), and so I decalred myself sick and applied for ESA - and despite the difficulties I had in getting it (largely, I believe, because I didn't have the Asperger's diagnosis at the time), it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

    Mum wants me to work; I do too. But there's no way I can stay on JSA when they can't understand Autism. I wonder at times if anyone, apart from parents / carers and people on the spectrum understand Autism at all.

    Some do. But not many.

Children
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