UC and work focussed interviews , carer, pip

Hi battyboo,

I think your problems relate to the automated system that is UC. So as soon as you state on your UC account/journal you have a health condition the default setting is to ask for a Fit Note even if you don't want to be part of the UC Health Journey.

I would advise you to go into your UC account and write a message asking if you are entitled to the Carer's Element of UC. You will have a choice where to send the message such as Payment, Work Coach , Service Issue. So you should choose Payment which means the journal message will get sent to the Case Manager.

When the Case Mananger confirms that you will receive the Carer's Element that means you can ignore any requests for meetings with a Jobcentre Work Coach. The reason being that Carers are placed in a conditionality group where they don't have to look for or prepare for work.

Hope this helps,
David

Hi battyboo,

I can understand your concerns. It is not a trap as you say. But they have not mentioned " the small print" in the deal. That is you will have to go through what is called the DWP Health Journey before you are even considered for the payment which you can only get after the medical assessment known as a WCA.
There is a lot of information about the WCA on the BenefitsandWork forum with discussions from many members.

So you can ignore the attempts to get you to join the Health Journey if you wish and no action can be taken against you for doing so as you get the Carer's Element of UC.

Hope this helps,
David

Hi battyboo,

When is your next PIP review due?
The DWP has access to information gathered at a WCA so it could be shared with PIP.
But it won't affect the PIP award until the next review anyway.
Are there any improvements to your health since your last PIP review? If not, there should be nothing found during the WCA that would affect PIP.

David