The ESA assessment has many standardised phrases within the report and sometimes the program LiMA completely screws up if the hcp just allows stock answers without really caring, but today I want to mention just one phrase used and IMHO this phrase is costing claimants money. I know you think I may have a screw lose but when you know the phrase and what it means you will see what I am on about.
The phrase in question refers to a time period that a person should get ESA for a minimum period of, first let me tell you the phrase it is simply A return to work in the longer term is not advisable this term means the person who did the assessment is recommending to the decision maker that the person they assessed should not be considered for a return to work for at least 24 months (2 YEARS).
The decision maker agrees and you get placed in WRAG (work related activity group) and have to have 6 monthly WFI's (work focused interviews), the first with the JC+ will possibly be before you know the outcome of the assessment.
Let's go to you receiving a letter stating that the DWP decision maker (should really be the HCP as they score the report first and the DM and HCP scores rarely differ) has placed you in WRAG, but you got a copy of the ESA85 and within the report the HCP has said A return to work in the longer term is not advisable as mentioned earlier the term states 24 months but the DWP are expecting you to prepare for work and possibly start a job within 6 months if they can get their way and find you work, even if that is just for one day. I am sure I have heard of people been given the SG rate (Support Group) for 3, 6, or 12 months, this been the case how can someone be given SG for 3 months but someone who they have classed as unfit for work for 24 months only be placed in WRAG? The answer is simple it is to save just £306.80 per year for the SG rate, it has nothing to do with been unfit for work for a long period, it is about keeping people in the dark about what the rules actually mean.
If these WFI's are meant to be 6 in total then what exactly is the point of them if someone who is deemed to be unable to return to work for 24 months doing them for the first 6 months of their 24 month claim of ESA WRAG? These WFI's are there t prepare a person for work or even find them work, maybe not a good idea if the person has been declared unfit for work for 2 years and what use will they be 18 months down the line, possibly when the person has been told they are fit for work. If the DWP and those involved in the scheme were in charge of getting football stars back to fitness the clubs would be suing the A55 off them because they would be lengthening the persons recovery period and not getting them fit for work, if that was possible.
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