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Would you use a Government run employment support programme if you wanted to look for work?

Robert_Scope

The Government has released its Shaping Future Support green paper, a consultation on how they can change the benefits system for disabled people.

I am leading on Scope’s response to the consultation, and I am keen to get the thoughts of disabled people on a question about employment support.

The Government have acknowledged that one in five disabled people who are in the Support Group or claim Universal Credit with limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) want to work and thought they would be able to work at some point in the future if the right job and support was available. The Government want to do more to help these people access the right employment support to take advantage of any opportunities to enter work.

So they are asking disabled people how they can encourage people who are in the support group or LCWRA to take up their employment support.

If you are – or know somebody – who are in either of those groups, what can the Government do to persuade you to take up their employment support?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

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Comments

janer1967

Hi

I am in lcwra but wouldn't think any support programme would help in my case

I am in wheelchair and also sight impaired so can only go anywhere escorted

Work or programme would have to be home based and not rely on much screen time so very limited options

I do think the programme would be suitable for some people

But the gov needs to understand that people are placed in these groups because they are unable to work in any capacity be it for physical or mental illness reasons

There is also the big hurdle of employers actually employing disabled people we all know despite the equality act there is still a massive way to go to get employers to recruit or even consider disabled people working far them

Waylay

If I were ever well enough to try working again, I wouldn't touch any gov't/DWP employment support programmes with a 1000ft pole. I do not trust them.

Ross_Alumni

Thanks to those who have shared their thoughts so far

littleacorn

My last employment was in a professional capacity managing staff in the social care field. As a full time wheelchair user who is in the ESA support group now my health is degenerative. When I was made redundant sometime ago I reached out to anyone who could help. The DWP said there was nothing they could offer as I was more qualified than the advisors. I just wonder what the DWP general expectations are of disabled people in this group as we are all not uneducated and lack qualifications and experience. So taking all this into consideration I still dont think they could offer me anything let alone employers who are able to offer me a position that can be as flexible as I need it to be.

rubin16

The thing is there are tons of charities and companies that help disabled people find work already, we don't really need more of them, especially since the main problem is employers not willing to employ disabled people or anyone with a condition. When applying for any job you say you have a disability and you never hear back or are declined.

We don't need more employment support programmes but more disability friendly employers.

GeoffN

I agree with Rubin's comments.

Sandy_123

I would love to go back to work, however there will be no one who will employ me, as I'd be off more time then there.
I did try a career change to see if that would of helped and it didn't.
I have very high qualifications on a lot of topics, which would of opened many doors on that alone. But I can't physically do the tasks. No scheme is going to change that.

nikkid1

I think what is perhaps needed is a support group for those of us that don’t qualify for the esa supprt group. I have just finished getting my income related benefits and now my 12 months are up, after a telephone assessment have not been placed into the support group. So my esa will stop, I don’t qualify for uc . I presume the only thing I can do now is apply for job seekers but I am finding job seeking difficult. Been out of work 18 months, mild visual impairment and anxiety. I would appreciate support in helping me look for suitable work, from someone that understands eye conditions. and re build my confidence in going back to work.

poppy123456

nikkid1 said:

I think what is perhaps needed is a support group for those of us that don’t qualify for the esa supprt group. I have just finished getting my income related benefits and now my 12 months are up, after a telephone assessment have not been placed into the support group. So my esa will stop, I don’t qualify for uc . I presume the only thing I can do now is apply for job seekers but I am finding job seeking difficult. Been out of work 18 months, mild visual impairment and anxiety. I would appreciate support in helping me look for suitable work, from someone that understands eye conditions. and re build my confidence in going back to work.

Hi,

The ESA you were claiming was New style ESA which is a contributions based only benefit (not income related) this is only paid for 1 year unless placed into the Support Group. If you think you should have been placed into the Support Group you can appeal this decision at Tribunal.

The descriptors for this group is here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

I would advise you to get some expert advice regarding this to make sure you qualify because there's little point in doing this if you don't qualify. For this start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

Regarding the JSA. The only one that's possible to claim now is New style JSA but because it's a contributions based benefit this you'll need to have paid the correct amount of NI contributions in tax years April 2018 to March 2020. If you haven't worked for 18 months then you may not qualify for this. It's paid for 6 months at the same amount as ESA.

Scope also have a support to work programe which maybe of interest to you. Details here. https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/support-to-work/

GeoffN

Yes. My 1 year is up on 19 October, but been out of work 10 months, awaiting Hip Replacement. Was a Support and Care worker, but now awaiting Surgery, and we all know that could be years into the future.