:rant::rant:My husband suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and subsequent stroke in September 2004. It has left him with brain damage, paralysis, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak. I am his Appointee for benefits since he is no longer able to handle his own affiars. HOWEVER he has received a letter to attend for an interview at the Jobcentre this week so they can help him return to work. The letter says if he does not attend and participate in an interview his benefits will be affected.
I would be highly delighted if Jobcentre workers can get him to do what health professional have been unable to do for the past four years ... ie get him to communicate, verbally or otherwise.
They can't even blame it on a computer generated letter. The letter is of a standard type but his details have been handwritten on afterwards. Do they not look at files before sending out this sort of letter? It is very distressing to think he has to jump through hoops (if only) to get what is his by rights. I will be taking him to the interview this week and will wheel him up to the Officer and then step away and watch from a distance. Officials should remember that we are individuals, and not just names on a list. The reason why he is in receipt of IB must be on his screen/forms somewhere. Has anyone else experienced such stupidity from Jobcentre Plus?:rant::rant:

i called them about my interview ( my daughter has cp caused by 2 brain hemmorages.

they told me i had to go and sure they like to meet the wee ones, told em feeling wasnt mutual since she screamed and cried for an hour last time ( 6 months previous )

this time they agreed it was daft dragging me, madam and her equipment up for a back to work interview and its now on my file that im not to be called in for interview.

would love to see the look on the officers face when they realise what a fu*k up theyve made with yours and your husbands case

hope they sort it that you dont need to go in again

I suppose you could always tip off the tv/media and get a camera crew to go with you... that way we could all get to see the looks on their faces. I wonder what wonderful excuse they'll come up with.

mowith, I've sent you a PM.

:rant::rant:My husband suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and subsequent stroke in September 2004. It has left him with brain damage, paralysis, confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak. I am his Appointee for benefits since he is no longer able to handle his own affiars. HOWEVER he has received a letter to attend for an interview at the Jobcentre this week so they can help him return to work. The letter says if he does not attend and participate in an interview his benefits will be affected.
I would be highly delighted if Jobcentre workers can get him to do what health professional have been unable to do for the past four years ... ie get him to communicate, verbally or otherwise.
They can't even blame it on a computer generated letter. The letter is of a standard type but his details have been handwritten on afterwards. Do they not look at files before sending out this sort of letter? It is very distressing to think he has to jump through hoops (if only) to get what is his by rights. I will be taking him to the interview this week and will wheel him up to the Officer and then step away and watch from a distance. Officials should remember that we are individuals, and not just names on a list. The reason why he is in receipt of IB must be on his screen/forms somewhere. Has anyone else experienced such stupidity from Jobcentre Plus?:rant::rant:

Well said.I am sure they will sort this out quickly for you.
Good Luck

I had one of these interviews come up when I was 8 months pregnant. My GP phoned them and asked how were they at delivering babies. They just don't think.

OK.

With the OP's consent, I'll explain what actually will have happened (mowith, after the PM I sent you, I realised the real reason why this happened).

So ......

The interview would have been one relating to help in getting back to work, not to prove his disabilities. He'll be in receipt of Higher Rate DLA, so he's exempt from the medical, and the 'work focused interview' should be waived, but it wasn't in this case.

The reason was that when the original claim was made, he was exempt from the medical at that time (and still is). This would almost always mean that the usual Work Focused Interview (WFI) would be waived.

Due to this, his record on the Labour Market System (LMS) wouldn't be completed, but would have been 'skeletally' created for the claim to go live, as all claims are by the call centre, as there is usually a mandatory WFI at the start of a claim to IB, where the subsequent information is gathered. At the time of the initial claim being taken, basic personal details are taken, and not much more.

Indeed, he had an interview waived some three years ago, but the only information on the screen the admin officer would check still says nothing, apart from that he had an interview waived.

To explain further, someone I know very well stopped work for various reasons some four years ago. That person also had an initial interview waived too. When he had to attend after attending a medical, because no interview had happened at the initial interview stage, the adviser had to build up all the relevant information on the LMS system.

LMS is completely different from the system to do with payments, which would have reasons for benefits to be in payment. LMS should have been completed properly four years ago at the initial claim stage, but it can be very prone to crash (blame EDS, not Jobcentre staff for that!).

In addition, not all admin staff have access to the payment screens, often for matters of data protection.

He had reached a 'trigger point' in his claim, which is why the interview was booked, as there wasn't any information to say that he was exempt. It shouldn't have been booked, and has been cancelled. It is an admin error, but one which I can understand.

Suffice it to say that people in the relevant area of admin have been contacted, and told to be more vigilant.

If anyone wants any further clarification, I'm happy to answer.

admin errors shouldn't happen, but they do, because of people who do not know what they're doing.

I'm sorry, I know I should get over my deep distrust of job centre staff, my bad experience at Hillsborough Barracks job centre when I was on the Jobseekers was 10 years ago, but I've had meetings with them since then, and all they ever want me to do is go on pointless courses specific to Incap claimants etc, I'm not being funny, but I've spent more than half my life being educated, fgs I am 32 years old! I want to work, not sit in some room all day listening to some teacher waffling on about nowt.

does being in receipt of high rate mobility mean i won't have to attend the interview they have set up for me? I am another example of their errors?

i have just been going through some papers from when i had the assessment for incapacity benefit.
it states:-
"People with certain disabilities or severe illnesses are treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity and do not have to undergo the assessment.
Because you have one of the disabilities or illnesses, you can be treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity."
is this enough to tell the jobcentre I don't need to go for their work focused interview?

i have just been going through some papers from when i had the assessment for incapacity benefit.
it states:-
"People with certain disabilities or severe illnesses are treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity and do not have to undergo the assessment.
Because you have one of the disabilities or illnesses, you can be treated as meeting the threshold of incapacity."
is this enough to tell the jobcentre I don't need to go for their work focused interview?

I would give them a call to check to be safe

I phoned yesterday when i got the letter and i was told i had to go or lose my benefits. but it seems unfair that they think they know more than the medical teams.

does being in receipt of high rate mobility mean i won't have to attend the interview they have set up for me? I am another example of their errors?

No. The rule only applies to Higher Rate Care Component.

I phoned yesterday when i got the letter and i was told i had to go or lose my benefits. but it seems unfair that they think they know more than the medical teams.

It's not a case of 'knowing more', but as I'm at pains to say over and over and over again, DLA is for people who have disabilities; IB/ESA is for people who are unable to work.

There is a massive difference between the two. The interview is just to see if there are any ways of helping, NOT to force anyone into work.

I got my answer after talking to the Job Centre. They had not updated my file in 13 years and so were unaware of my receiving DLA or my chronic illness.
It appears the section of the job centre plus who carry out the Personal Capabilities Assessment for Incapacity Benefit do not keep the other departments informed of changes.
Typical.

But I am not going to the interview, the job centre have now said I don't need to either now or in the future when they may send me another invite.
They further said they couldn't update the records without a doctors note which I would have to obtain from my doctor. It seems their own doctors who did the PCA are unable to give them the information required.
Stupid or what????

I got my answer after talking to the Job Centre. They had not updated my file in 13 years and so were unaware of my receiving DLA or my chronic illness.
It appears the section of the job centre plus who carry out the Personal Capabilities Assessment for Incapacity Benefit do not keep the other departments informed of changes.
Typical.

But I am not going to the interview, the job centre have now said I don't need to either now or in the future when they may send me another invite.
They further said they couldn't update the records without a doctors note which I would have to obtain from my doctor. It seems their own doctors who did the PCA are unable to give them the information required.
Stupid or what????

Have you had a medical recently?

I had to go in recently for an interview. I had to put it off twice because of ill health but they were OK about this. I havent seen them in about 3 years, but I had a medical earlier in the year and my IB continues. They wanted me to go on a Condition Management Programme, its not compulsory, and I cant get excited about it. They told me it was nothing to do with getting back to work during my interview. I read the leaflet when I got home, and it clearly is about getting you back to work. They also did me a better off calculation which somehow failed ... Waste of time really, but I dont feel its a lot to ask for me to turn up once every few years. I also found it odd that they didnt know I was on DLA. Its paid at the same time as my IB too.

I had to go in recently for an interview. I had to put it off twice because of ill health but they were OK about this. I havent seen them in about 3 years, but I had a medical earlier in the year and my IB continues. They wanted me to go on a Condition Management Programme, its not compulsory, and I cant get excited about it. They told me it was nothing to do with getting back to work during my interview. I read the leaflet when I got home, and it clearly is about getting you back to work. They also did me a better off calculation which somehow failed ... Waste of time really, but I dont feel its a lot to ask for me to turn up once every few years. I also found it odd that they didnt know I was on DLA. Its paid at the same time as my IB too.

CMP is something run by the NHS and has nothing to do with Jobcentre Plus ..... BUT ...... I still contend that it's the pathway to NDDP. It's not compulsory (as nothing is when on IB/ESA/SDA/IS(D) and any other legacy benefit), but the idea is about how to overcome difficulties, in order to try to get back to work. It should also be remembered that it's not suitable for all people who are off ill.

DLA is administered by the Disability and Carers Service, and nothing to do with Jobcentre Plus. You were also in the 'work focused' area. Nobody would need to look at a payment screen as your interview didn't relate to any payment, and there's no need for anything to be on the LMS (blue and yellow) screen to say you are on DLA.

The payment screens are not usually accessible by the DEAs. They don't need to administer a payment, so they don't (usually) have the authority to see those screens.

That's why nobody knew, I'd imagine. As DLA isn't means tested, it doesn't need to be logged, even if people are claiming JSA. The person may well have a 'PWD' marker, but whether they receive DLA as a result is actually of no consequence, and indeed, in terms of more sensitive matters, could be seen as a breach of Human Rights by even allowing Jobcentre staff that information.

To add further, this is why I asked Dana if she had had a medical, as one of the reasons why people are asked in is because they have needed a medical as part of the Incapacity Benefit PCA (now redundant!).

I had a medical assessment in October 2006 when they accepted i had a chronic illness and suggested I apply for DLA which i did and got.
What i would like an answer on is why that information had not been passed over the the part of the job centre plus who send out letters trying to get us back to work. As i said in an earlier post their info on me was 13 years outdated.
Not only has this caused me lots of stress, which is something I can't cope with as it has caused a relapse of my illness, it has also wasted their time, my phone calls and the postage sending these letters out.
In these days of the government knowing as much about us as how many times we blow our noses isn't it unreasonable that the jobcentre don't bother to update their records?

I had a medical assessment in October 2006 when they accepted i had a chronic illness and suggested I apply for DLA which i did and got.
What i would like an answer on is why that information had not been passed over the the part of the job centre plus who send out letters trying to get us back to work. As i said in an earlier post their info on me was 13 years outdated.

I'm not sure what you mean by that, as the records would have to have been touched, as you wouldn't have had a medical otherwise. The reason why you had an interview is simply because you had to attend a medical, which meant that your case was assessed as borderline when you completed the IB50 form in 2006.

Not only has this caused me lots of stress, which is something I can't cope with as it has caused a relapse of my illness, it has also wasted their time, my phone calls and the postage sending these letters out.
In these days of the government knowing as much about us as how many times we blow our noses isn't it unreasonable that the jobcentre don't bother to update their records?

Again, with regard to DLA, any award is irrelevant in deciding who should be asked to an interview due to incapacity, with the exception of Higher Rate Care Component. I'll try and look into it for you.

They must be having a purge at the moment - I got a letter today about an interview. Mind you, i'm going to have to call them on Monday because there isn't an address of where to attend. It'll be the first one i've ever had so not sure what they're going to talk about.

Tried calling the number given on the letter loads of times and it's either ringing engaged or ringing and no-one answers.

Managed to find out that the JobcentrePlus in Dinnington is on Church Street - and i've looked on a map where Church Street is, anyone know what it's like for parking?

Interview isn't until the 28th and i'm already getting anxious and stressed thinking about getting out of the house, how to get there & where to park, what to wear, what they're going to ask etc. :help:

Tried calling the number given on the letter loads of times and it's either ringing engaged or ringing and no-one answers.

Managed to find out that the JobcentrePlus in Dinnington is on Church Street - and i've looked on a map where Church Street is, anyone know what it's like for parking?

Interview isn't until the 28th and i'm already getting anxious and stressed thinking about getting out of the house, how to get there & where to park, what to wear, what they're going to ask etc. :help:
Wear what you want, and no, there definitely isn't a purge. Which number are you ringing?

Tried calling the number given on the letter loads of times and it's either ringing engaged or ringing and no-one answers.

Managed to find out that the JobcentrePlus in Dinnington is on Church Street - and i've looked on a map where Church Street is, anyone know what it's like for parking?

Interview isn't until the 28th and i'm already getting anxious and stressed thinking about getting out of the house, how to get there & where to park, what to wear, what they're going to ask etc. :help:

Bonny
When I went on an interview 18 months ago, it was basically to find out what I was doing.
I was (at the time) a client of Bridge (also used to work for them) and they suggested that I went on Pathways, which benefitted me enormously as when I returned to work over a year ago, I got a return to work bonus of £200 as I have kids and also £40 a week as long as I sent in my payslips regularly so it was fine.
Unfortunatley now the money has run out, I am trying to earn more money to compensate for that .
Dont worry..

Good Luck.

The number on the letter is 01709 343017, i've tried it again a few times and still no answer.

Trouble is, i'll get myself so worked up and stressed out about going that when I get there I've no idea how i'll behave and react. The adrenaline may mean i'm buzzing and talk non-stop gibberish or the stress could have me so wound up I come across as quite agressive and nasty, or pent up anxiety may mean as soon as I try to open my mouth to talk I burst into tears. When i'm stressed I find it quite difficult to communicate easily because I can't think of the words I need - one of the reasons I prefer all my communications to be via the internet so that I have time to think about the right words.

Do you know if they'd post me out a little map and plan of where I need to go? It's little things like finding the door, where to go, whether to turn left or right etc that I panic about. I know it's daft but I think because I don't leave the house that often it becomes a big deal when I do. When I do go out it's always to somewhere I know so I know exactly what to expect.

The number on the letter is 01709 343017, i've tried it again a few times and still no answer.

Trouble is, i'll get myself so worked up and stressed out about going that when I get there I've no idea how i'll behave and react. The adrenaline may mean i'm buzzing and talk non-stop gibberish or the stress could have me so wound up I come across as quite agressive and nasty, or pent up anxiety may mean as soon as I try to open my mouth to talk I burst into tears. When i'm stressed I find it quite difficult to communicate easily because I can't think of the words I need - one of the reasons I prefer all my communications to be via the internet so that I have time to think about the right words.

Do you know if they'd post me out a little map and plan of where I need to go? It's little things like finding the door, where to go, whether to turn left or right etc that I panic about. I know it's daft but I think because I don't leave the house that often it becomes a big deal when I do. When I do go out it's always to somewhere I know so I know exactly what to expect.

You need to work on your CBT and think positively.the interview will be fine as I just said above.
Write downm what you want to say on a piece of paper and take it with you .
I used to do this when I went to see my GP and it worked fine.
Maybe Happy Hippy could look in to why there is no answer on that number

You won't be going to the Dinnington office, but into Chantrey House in Rotherham. Try ***** ****** (but don't tell everyone!).

im a carer for my mother where my father helps out too
and the same thing happened.. she had her 2nd one through the other day!
:rant::rant::rant::rant::rant:

basically she suffered a stroke and now has paralysis in her right arm
and aphasia (loss of speech), how the hell can these people turn around
and say 'you have to prove to us that your not well enough to work'

makes me so angry when theres so many asylum seekers
claiming benefits and then you get people who are too unwell to work
called up for interviews:rant::rant::rant:

im a carer for my mother where my father helps out too
and the same thing happened.. she had her 2nd one through the other day!
:rant::rant::rant::rant::rant:

basically she suffered a stroke and now has paralysis in her right arm
and aphasia (loss of speech), how the hell can these people turn around
and say 'you have to prove to us that your not well enough to work'

Is it a an interview which relates to going back to work? If so, then I'd be surprised that the aphasia hasn't been taken into account, unless medical evidence suggested that after a long period, speech was likely to return.

If not, it could be a medical review. The two situations are completely different. Has a form been filled in recently in respect of your mother?

makes me so angry when theres so many asylum seekers
claiming benefits and then you get people who are too unwell to work
called up for interviews:rant::rant::rant:

I understand your frustration, but can I just say for the millionth time that those seeking asylum do not receive benefits, and apart from that, they're not allowed to work until their status is decided by the Home Office.

Just wanted to update you on what happened.

Got there for the interview only to be told that I should have received a phone call cancelling it because the person was off sick. But, another lady there said she'd do the interview if I didn't mind waiting ten mins. She was lovely and we had a good chuckle and natter. Anyhow, she said I really should make a claim for DLA and also mentioned the condition management programme (4 hrs a week?) but said that it probably wasn't for me just yet but maybe in the future. And that was it really.

Then, yesterday I got an appointment card through the post with a 're-arranged' interview for sometime in December :rolleyes:

Just wanted to update you on what happened.

Got there for the interview only to be told that I should have received a phone call cancelling it because the person was off sick. But, another lady there said she'd do the interview if I didn't mind waiting ten mins. She was lovely and we had a good chuckle and natter. Anyhow, she said I really should make a claim for DLA and also mentioned the condition management programme (4 hrs a week?) but said that it probably wasn't for me just yet but maybe in the future. And that was it really.

Then, yesterday I got an appointment card through the post with a 're-arranged' interview for sometime in December :rolleyes:

Glad it was painless for you!

Just to clear this up before people shout about incompetence, you should have had a call, but you might have already left when you were called, or indeed, your details may not even be up to date.

Anyway, the rearranged appointment would have been made when the adviser called in sick, and the outgoing post is picked up regularly through the day, so nobody would have been able to retrieve it.

Ignore it, and don't bother going.

Ah yes, thinking about it the appointment card would have been in the post about the time I was attending the interview. And all that sort of thing is done centrally (I gather) rather than at the office so they wouldn't have known i'd attended the interview.