back to work interview, HELP

[lightning]

Hi Guys
i have been on incapacity for 8 weeks now, with dr's note and also had to fill in their med 4 and HUGE booklet of how /what I can do. I have now been invited to a back to work pathways interview.
While I would like some work I definitely can't work full time and really need work I can do at home.
Any ideas on how to conduct this please? med report says rheum arthritis and severe asthma, limited mobilty and limited manual dexterity, pain and fatique. We didn't mention other problems, like back and neck injuries from RTA etc including HMS, as we felt those would be enough!
I hope this isn't going to be an interogation as I just can'tcope with this, and am also very worried that if they decide I'm fit to work they will start interfereing with my DLA!
Am i panicking?
I'm also peed off that my Doctor insists i'm not fit to work and yet i have a stream of ******making me jump through hoops.
I'm 58 by the way! my postcode is same as an area of town with a high incidence of problem housing/people etc, although we are on other side which isn/t, do you think this has influenced them?
panicky lightning

[gila]

firstly it shouldnt (loath to say 'wont' as we all know how good gov offices are at mucking things up ) interfere with your DLA, as that is not income based, not dependent on whether you do/dont work it's strictly 'disability' dependent.

the pathways to work interview should be 'helpful', but it can depend on the individual advisor whether it feels like an 'interogation' and how helpful it will be.
as far as I know this interview, under current regulations, should also be a 'voluntary' one, so you dont have to do it if you dont want to, without detriment to your benefits, check this out, maybe on the DWP website.

and I think this 'invitation to interview' is just a routine matter, I got one years ago, it was voluntary, I went but had an 'advisor' who instead of advising, I hardly got a word in egdeways, just ranted about her health probs
but other peops have had v good experiences!!!

xxg

[Retro]

Hi Lightning,

I had one a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. I actually ended up having a good laugh with the advisor.

Lindsey

[barkingmad]

Hi Lightning,
I took my mum to hers last week, she wanted moral support as she had never been in the job centre place, it was fine...the lady who interviewed her was very polite and understanding, she went through a computer questionnaire with my mum...when it got to the bit about having regular job seeker interviews she decided there was no way mum was going to be able to return to work, she's 57, and reminded us that at the moment attendance was voluntary anyway, she intended to make a note on the computer saying that it was unlikely she would return to work and that due to her disabilities keeping appointments maybe difficult....after she told us that it would be highly unlikely that mum would be called again for any further interviews...bless her she even gave my mum information on the Expert patient programme and the name of a local acupuncturist...it really wasnt threatening at all, they ask you to elaborate on what having your health problems means in a practical, emotional sense etc. So by the time you run thro EDS and Chronic pain and any additional health problems you are fairly covered on it all. the lady offerred advice on checking whether all the right benefits had been awarded, and spoke about dla, registering disabled and blue badges. To be honest, this was nearly the same as my interview and I didnt have to go back either...dont claim now as illhealth retired.
the only negative thing that was said, really effects people from October who apply for benefit, apparently the interviews are going to be mandatory and harder!
Hope this helps, it honestly isnt a real heavy thing and I'm sure you will be fine
Take care
donna x
PS I'm guessing the booklet you filled in was the personal capability questionnaire, it would be a good idea to read thro a copy of it and take it with you if you think you may go blank ...like I do
Also this has no effect on your DLA...that is awarded purely for your disability, this is about whether they could 'assist' you in any way in returning to work and checking you are on the right benefit.

[lightning]

thanks Gila, Retro and barking Mad
I'm feeling a bit more reassured!
its just that things have been pants this year moneywise and of course I would work if they could find me something I can do! I'm also peved that with the number claiming in this area they pick on me when I have hardly been on the benefit any time at all!!! i get very stressed out trying to explain my disabilities and when I'm stressed the old childhood stammer comes back, which doesn't help matters!!!!! I end up feeling a right idiot!
nothing for it but to attend though, because however voluntary it is they say in the letter that if I don't go it could result in benefit being cut............
thanks guys
hugs and waggy tail

[gila]

and fingers crossed!
and give archie a big cuddle from me too!
xxg

[lightning]

thanks Gila
Archie enjoyed his cuddle!
hugs and waggy tail

[rubygloom]

ive never been to one myself but my friend did..
she found it helpful as they helped her get a job that was sutable with a good employer in a field she had never concidered and she was under no presure to even take it she was refered to some special job finding department charity and all sorts

im not up on all the details but anyway the up shot was she was glad she went in the end (was about 5 months till she had the job though)

id just treat it like any other hoop to jump through take your evedence and see what happens

[cally6008]

I've got this sort of interview tomoro afternoon. I'm going to take in letter from hospital and podiatrist about having JHM and a leaflet and booklet about HMS to show them (if they want to see it). I want to work, I really do, its just nowhere seems to want me. I dont know why, OH says I do look smartly dressed when I go for interviews and the interviews themselves go really well. Its so depressing

[sarahh]

Hi Callly hun when I was going for jobs I had the same no one wanted me and the job I did get was only through another candiate not wanting the extra 10 hours. Good idea taking those things with you. Will keeps my fingers crossed for you . Not getting jobs isn't your fault at all and don't ever think that, companies are missing out on a lovely lady who will work hard and be an asset to the company.

[lightning]

off for the first of 5 job focused interviews tomorrow....I'll let you know what happens. Not sure who is going to employ me though!!!!! i don't even look "normal" anymore, however smartly I dress!
Hope they have been watching Shrek!
hugs and a waggy tail

[cally6008]

Back from mine. It started absolutely downpouring with rain so I was drenched from waist downwards when I got there, I ended up waiting 30mins for the lady who I was seeing. She didnt want/need the info I'd took with me. Anyways ... good news is that Im now signed up for the ECDL course through Learn Direct and its free as Im on JSA I start tomoro at 10am and I jokingly said "I'll be here all day if I can" so he's booked me in all day.

Im a bit "huh eh what" though, from what I can gather ... Im at the job centre for the next 6 weeks on a wednesday for extra help to get a job (or sumit like that). Is this what you went to today lightning ? How was it ?

[lightning]

Hi Cally
not quite the same for me.....went through all I had explained at the Pathways interview, again....looked at my resume (I refuse ti write a full CV, it takes too long) and went hmmmm.
asked if I would consider retraining as "theres not much call for you guys at present" (mortgage/investment advisor) and I'm over educated. (ARRGGHHH) said I would love too, asked what I wanted to retrain as.......hmmm again. problem is also hands, can't do much keyboarding. said I would like to get proper computer skills like CLAIT or similar, and could I do these via speech recognition software? no, the don't have the software its too expensive. said she would see if she can find a source of work for me at home, ie call centre type work relayed through to my office but thought it would be too difficult to find.....explained again about permitted work and said she thought it applied to self employment as well and would find out. She agreed that they were targeting the wrong people at present, should be going for younger and also those been on IB for ages but said I had to jump through the hoops or I'd lose my benefit...she didn't make me do the basic skills assessments though. I think she could see that I simply wasn't playing that game!!!
I said "could I retrain as a music teacher" she said "you haven't lost your sense of humour then"........
glad it has been positive for you Cally, you will wizz through the ECDL, what are your longer term plans?
Yeah, it rained here as well, and thundered, in fact it is starting to thunder all over again!
pleae keep me posted!
hugs and waggytail

[cally6008]

Long term plan is make lots of money doing websites for people and move to a posh house and be rich
Failing that, get a job, make some money and live comfortably

[lightning]

way to go CAlly!
me, i just want to get the next 18 months to retirement out of the way!!!
hugs and waggy tails as I can smell food!