Work coach appointment
Hi, so I started claiming ESA in May this year. I have had a WCA in August and received a decision letter stating I am in the support group and do not need to look for work. About 2 weeks ago I received a text to say I was going to receive a call. The call never happened so I called to clarify what was happening and they couldn't see a record of an appointment for last week, however said I had one due in November. I've never been through this before as I've always worked. He explained that my award is indefinite but will have another assessment next year. I didn't think much else of it. However, I have received a letter today with an appointment in the next few weeks with a work coach. It doesn't say much about why I am having this appointment and I am really confused as it says they want to help me to prepare for work in the future when I feel I am able to work. The fact sheet then says that this appointment is because I have been place in the work related group. I am really struggling with my MH at the moment and get confused quite easily and this is causing significant anxiety. Any help would be much appreciated. 😊
Comments
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Just to be clear though, the award letter shows the LCW payment amount with the living amount. I get the support group rate and the letter clearly states I do not have to take part in work related activities but can volunteer if I wish.
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Something isn't right here. You shouldn't be having appointments when in the Support Group. I'd advise you to ring ESA and tell them what's happened.
Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise. Even though you were told a review would be next year, this doesn't mean you'll be reviewed at that time.
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Thank you for your reply. It's totally new to me as I've always worked. I don't know what's what. Who would I ask to speak to though. I don't have a contact number for the work coach. Would it just be the ESA enquiry line? I'm wondering if there is a bit of a cross over. Or is it normal when first awarded the main component to have a call?
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It's the main ESA number you need to ring. See link.
Was the decision on your work capability assessment made recently? The letter may have cross posted with that, if it was.
It's not normal when you're first awarded Support Group to have an appointment.
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Yes, I got the decision middle of September. The only thing I noted was the award date said until 26th November 2024. When I spoke to someone on the phone they said that I was awarded indefinitely but will have a review next year. I will call them to find out what is going on. Thank you so much for your help
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The November 2024 date, is due to the payment of a £10 Christmas bonus.
Badly written lettters!
Your review date of a year is just a guide, they can re assess as any time BUT the system currently has backlogs dating back years.
Moves have been made to address this with recruitment of assessors, and regional changes to assessment providers, but basically your guess is as good as mine as to when your review will happen.
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I have just contacted ESA, not helpful at all. Explained I don't understand the process but confused as to why I have another interview when in the support group. Was told they don't just leave you alone indefinitely. I said I would expect keeping in touch to see if things change but I was told I don't have to do work related activity if I didn't want to. He just said the aim is to get people back into work. I've always worked, it makes me feel like I'm just being lazy. I want to go back to work in the future but my MH right now I can barely go out the door most days due to my anxiety and mood. It's making my anxiety worse.
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I don't mind a review but this is a specific work coach interview. I would expect this at some point but I was only recently awarded and my mental health is not in a place to allow me to go back to work or doing work related activities. I don't understand why they say you are in a support group and don't have to look for work if you don't want to or take part in work related activities. Then send out a letter a month after the award for an interview to look at getting you back into work. Sorry my anxiety is just making this a lot worse. Thank you for your reply 😊
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I mean I understand the need to review but it's only been a just over a month and he said its not to review it but to look at getting me back into work. Does this still happen when you are in the support group.
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Periodic interviews would be normal in the Work Related Activity Group.
From reading the thread you've had mixed messages as to what the WCA result was?
Perhaps ESA are also confused?
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The amounts I'm receiving are the support group rates too. I suppose I just have to wait for the interview and ask her why. I would love to be able to go back to work, at the moment I struggle getting out the door unless I have my husband or Mum with me. Even then it's mainly going to my Mums house. I had to leave work because my anxiety would be days of panic attacks, they still are. I've had counselling but now on a waiting list for CBT.The stress of this uncertainty isn't helping cause I'm panicking that I'll be forced back into work when I'm not ready. I've always worked so it's really knocking my confidence all this.
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