My First work focus relaited interview.

Hi. I have been in the esa support group for a long time but recently I was placed in wrag after having a atos medical. I have appealed to have me placed back into the support group by sending a mandatory reconsideration letter and yesterday I had my first work retaliated interview at my local jobcentre.

I was concerned that the interviewer was going to be really hard on me and force me into something that would have a negative affect on my health.

I was completely surprised by the outcome of that interview!

I thought they would do there best to force me into some kind of work but that didn't happen. after spending 3 mins with the interviewer he suggested to me I should claim PIP to get more money. Im already getting esa. I thought there job was to make you work not suggest you claim more benefits. He told me He wont at this stage be placing me on any work type related schedule. I think the letter I sent had something to do with the outcome of the interview.

Why would he suggest I claim PIP on top of esa. Is he trying to trick me as I read its really hard to pass the pip test and perhaps he thinks I will fail the test and then I will loose all my benefits. I have had a hard enough time filling forms and having medicals. I don't know if I can cope going through it all again claiming pip. The stress is just too much to bear!

Thanks for letting us know about your experience of Work Related Interviews. these can vary hugely from one interviewer to the next, it sounds as if yours was one of the better ones!

From what you have said, I have no reason to suspect that there was any devious intent behind recommending that you apply for PIP. It sounds as if the interviewer thinks you might be entitled to it - although you should bare in mind that he probably isn't trained to assess that!

Of course, it is entirely up to you whether or not you claim PIP, if you decide to do so we have guides to help.

PIP help for claimants

I am not 100% sure but I believe that esa and pip are two completely different departments so therefore an assessment for pip has no bearing on the esa claim as there is no connection between the two.

If I am wrong on this then I am sure that One of the mods will be more than willing to give you correct information whilst at the same time telling me to go away and shut up lol

No Seth, you are not wrong

ESA is a wage replacement benefit, paid to those who cannot work due to illness or disability*

PIP (which is replacing DLA) is paid to help defer the extra costs for people who have care and/or mobility needs.

* In theory at least