My original assesment came up with zero points, i went to tribunial and they went in my favour saying im too mentally ill to work at the moment and was placed in the highest group the support group i think it is. I dont have to attend anything or any groups, wish i did because all the help i can have means that i can get better soooner.
Hiya,
I'm in the 'work related activity group' on ESA. The only help on offer for this benefit is going to 6 mandatory work focussed interviews (WFI's) all you really achieve in these WFI's is getting a CV completed, advice about working and benefits and voluntary work. How many hours you can do and possible effects on your benefits, if any. I believe they can help you with interview skills also.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/esa/interview.asp
The advisors don't actually offer you groups to go to or offer you any kind of placements, be it part-time paid work, voluntary, or part-time training schemes. You ideally have to find these for yourself, although they can give you advise on where to look. And then they can maybe help arrange these things for you by ringing them up, or being there with you to support you when you are calling them.
The main goal it seems, for these appointments is to help you get back to paid work.
In my experience. I found that when i tried to mention college and re-training as a pillar to help me towards a future goal of paid work , they clammed up and couldn't give me any straight information. I was told that if i went to college full time, my benefits would stop because, if i could go to college, it's obvious i can go to work. I want to go to college part-time, but was told that it may be possible, but i'd have to clear it with ESA first as they assess these situations on an individual basis and that if ESA felt that doing this course pointed to the fact that i could use this time for paid work, then my benefits would be stopped. This conversation really griped me because for certain hours you are allowed to do permitted paid work or voluntary work on ESA, but when it comes to re training to increase your prospects, they seem to want to steer you away from the idea. After trying to enquire about this with ESA, i was passed from person to person on the phone, some saying the same thing as the advisor, others having completely no idea, eventually one person told me that a part time course was allowed as long as it didn't exceed 16 hours per week.
To be honest, you are not missing out on a great deal, and can easilly find these kinds of services elsewhere....
Do you have a CPN or are you in contact with your local CMHT?
If you want this kind of help, I.E paid work and voluntary work help and advice, you could get your CMHT to refer you to the Richmond Fellowship.
http://www.richmondfellowship.org.uk/
Alternatively, if you want to go to groups to get you socialising and back into the community, i'm sure there are many things offered at your local CMHT. From Art to pottery to crafts to book groups to peer support to sports to outtings etc. Speak to your CPN, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist (whom ever you have as your contact to the CMHT) and they should be able to give you information on getting more involved in these types of things.
Aurora
