You think you are in meltdown, look how many cases the DWP and atos are behind with. I think you have a bit of breathing space going on my and other people's experiences with Pathways to work.
I am in my sixth month of the 13 week assessment period. Yes you read correctly, we are in the twilight zone lol. My initial 'mandatory' work focused interview in April lasted about 15 minutes and I was then to be referred to the broker (in my case, A4e) for the remainder which, I understand is the usual. However, I have had no interviews at all with A4e despite going along before the referral had come through. I spoke to them last week on the phone and apparently I can sign up as a voluntary user then get transferred over to the 'normal' route. As we are already beyond the allotted time frame, I shall hang fire and see what happens. In my experience it helps to have as much ammunition as possible for if and when they start putting the boot in. The medical which is also (usually) a mandatory part of this assessment took place after 13 weeks and 8 weeks later I am still waiting for a decision, no doubt another zero points; lengthy appeal to follow.
The bottom line is in spite of their jack booted style mouthing to the contrary, this government does not seem very urgent about getting anyone let alone the sick back into work - available training on JSA is testament to that - and in areas of especially high unemployment they are known to just sign people's card without question at the jobcentre. If it is about saving money, the admin costs several times more than the actual benefits paid. No, they can well afford the benefit. Back to reality whatever the rhetoric coming out of parliament, unemployment remains a 'necessary evil' of this system and I cannot see that changing in the current economic climate unless of course they are planning on bringing back the workhouse.
CT
I moved from SSP to employment and support allowance in july and was signed off for 3 months by my doc.
