DWP pains!

[armanisgirl]

I was wondering if anyone else has come across this problem.....

I have been suffering from Fybromyalgia for some years - not a day passes where I'm not in a degree of pain or stiffness. I'm planning on visiting my specialist again, as the condition has worsened slightly.

I have 3 kids, the youngest is now 8. In January, I was called into the jobcentre, for a 'back to work focussed interview'. I attended, explained my condition, the restraints and barriers to applying for any old job, and the need for a non physical kind of job, along with practical hours due to childcare. No problem, I was told, there's no pressure for you to find a job, take your time and make sure you are fit and that you only apply for a position which can accommodate your medical needs.

I have lost count of the amount of jobs I have applied for; most are part time, some are full time, all are within my ability and within childcare boundaries etc. I had another 'back to work interview' 3 weeks ago. Same thing was said - no problem, no pressures etc, glad you are applying for jobs suitable for your medical condition etc etc. Then I was called in a week ago - for the DWP to tell me what jobs are being advertised! 'Oh here's one' she said. 'That's an 8am start or a 10pm finish so it's no good' I said. 'Oh, here's another one' she said. 'Emm, that one is quite physical' I said. 'Oh here's one as a receptionist in a hotel' she said. 'Who is going to watch my children til midnight?' I asked. She showed me jobs that were too far away, unsuitable hours due to childcare provision, jobs that were for 3 hours per week (how can I get tax credits on 3 hours per week????), she showed me jobs that needed all kinds of experience or qualifications I don't have. Off I went after 2 hours, furious, as she gave me four job descriptions - for jobs I told her I had already applied for!!!

Why don't these people listen? I know there are thousands out there claiming benefits because they don't want to work etc, but I DO want to work. However, I am trying to be careful on what I apply for, so that I do not aggravate my condition, as that will lead me to having excess time off ill, or not capable of doing the job properly. I have told her this. I showed her many of the letters I had sent off applying for jobs. I have had confirmation from my specialist that I have a medical condition. but as I have not claimed DLA, it seems that my illness is being ignored!

So, being the smartass that I am, today i applied for a job - with DWP!!!! Let's see how quick they are to offer me an interview and a job! I have ticked the box for a guarunteed interview due to disability, so let's see if I get an interview! IF I get an interview, let's see how keen they are to get us back into work - maybe I should run a poll to see who thinks the jobcentre will give me a job? [lol] My bet is that they won't..... in which case, I plan to demand an explanation as to why - then ask them how they expect any other employer to take me on if they won't!!! I can't wait to get a job, but sadly can't go back to work in a job that invloves heavy lifting etc, or I would be working now, but I am not prepared to take a job that will compromise my condition and thus my family's life, and end up having to go back on benefits when an employer gets fed up, as has happened in the past.

[DeHaviLand]

Shouldn't laugh really, but I'm loving this. Good luck, I hope you get this one. It will beat the hell out of the litter picking they'll have you doing if you'be not successful.:D

[poppett]

Watch out...........they might suggest you take up pole dancing!!........I do not jest, this has happened south of the border.!!

[armanisgirl]

I'm actually applying for the job to prove a point to the witch who keeps trying to job hunt for me!!! [lol] But, I would like the job regardless, just to get back into feeling 'normal' again! I'll let you know what the outcome is (or maybe you'll read about it in The News of the World? [lol][lol]

[sweetpea]

haaahaahhaaa
I can''t wait.

[Oddquine]

So, being the smartass that I am, today i applied for a job - with DWP!!!! Let's see how quick they are to offer me an interview and a job! I have ticked the box for a guarunteed interview due to disability, so let's see if I get an interview! IF I get an interview, let's see how keen they are to get us back into work - maybe I should run a poll to see who thinks the jobcentre will give me a job? [lol] My bet is that they won't..... in which case, I plan to demand an explanation as to why - then ask them how they expect any other employer to take me on if they won't!!! I can't wait to get a job, but sadly can't go back to work in a job that invloves heavy lifting etc, or I would be working now, but I am not prepared to take a job that will compromise my condition and thus my family's life, and end up having to go back on benefits when an employer gets fed up, as has happened in the past.

Good for you.........but been there, tried that in the past for the same reasons as you............and got nowhere, even though I was over-qualified......................though I guess, given the ages of your children, you aren't within a few years of retirement as I was(this was in the before age-discrimination days).........so you might be luckier! :D

[Average]

So if they offer you the job are you going to accept it?

[Anne x]

Armanisgirl well done to you just keep at them and dont let up I have osteoporosis in several places but the spine worst affected I dont claim any benefits and dont intend to and worked until recently and neither have I applied for any jobs lately as the stupid things they come up with I could go on and on but just get so angry with the system do they ever actually read anyones notes

[Fran]

I know what you mean Armanisgirl. "Himself" got a letter to attend a "back to work" interview, I phoned and said he was ill and on long term incapacity/disability etc and would never be fit to work. Then another letter came and I phoned again and informed them he had cancer and would never work again. I ignored the next two letters, then one came which was quite rude, demanding he attended interview, when he was dying from cancer. I took myself down to the office and said it would have to be a very short term job sitting down and it wouldnt matter if they stopped his benefit.
Do they never take note of what is said and mark it on peoples files, what a waste of postage,time and money.

[porshiepoo]

I too suffer from Fibromyalgia along with Narcolepsy and, according to the Rheumatologist, Depression and anxiety.
Fortunately for me we are in a position where I do not need to go out to work but I know for a fact that my prospects would be pretty slim if I did need to find work. Who's going to employ an energy deficient Narcoleptic? What the heck could I even do?
I always used to work outside with horses at event yards and racing stables but I'd be scared witless to do that now.
My kids are at an age now where I would like to get a job soon just because I am not needed to be at home all the time but who's going to employ someone who has to take regular naps throughout the day else they will become punch drunk? Bearing in mind these naps can be anywhere between 5 minutes and 2 hours long.

Fibro has to be one of the least understood disorders in the medical world I think, there are so many doctors that just refuse to believe it exists or haven't a clue how to help you cope with it.
There's a very fine line between Fibro and ME, the symptoms are the same and the outcome is pretty much the same but the name makes a whole heap of difference.

[Mik.M.]

Let me see if I can guess where you went for your interviews? Wick,perhaps? When I had to go there last year they were the most unhelpful people I`ve ever met. Same as you being told to apply for jobs that were either unsuitable or ones that I`d already applied for or even jobs that had already been filled.Demoralised doesn`t begin the describe the way you feel when you come out of there.

[cuddlepop]

Good luck.

I wonder though if anyone person sits down and reads your whole file,it appears that someone knows a little but not it all and then you explain the whole process again.
My brother has just been turned down for his inacpacity benifit(renewall),which unfortunatly is quiet common.The CAB office is struggling to cope with appeals and in the meantime his money has stopped.This is only adding to his mental stress which is to be avoided at all costs.
He does have a Personality Disorder and when you meet him you can see why but the "Questionair" person said he was fit for any work.:eek:
Since Easter he has applied for dozens of jobs and has had 10 interviews but no offer of employment.
This is not his fault he is trying but employers find him too "strange".:(

[armanisgirl]

It would seem this problem is countrywide - I live in the North West of England now. I know there is a drive to get people back to work etc, but surely the jobcentre staff should take into consideration any limitations a person has that would affect their ability to do a job properly? The latest drive is to get people off incapacity, based on what they CAN do rather than what they can't. Fair enough, if they can show us jobs that we ARE capable of doing and won't aggravate any conditions we have. I've been saying for the last few years that my perfect job would be to actually own my own company and hire others to do the work! But unless I win mega jackpots on the lottery, this idea will never take off lol.

If they offer me a job? I would take it, and hope they provide suitable provisions to ensure my condition isn't aggravated in any way. If it did aggravate my condition, perhaps they could use it as a learning curve for their staff - READ people's files FULLY before trying to force jobs on them that really aren't suitable! And for those who are employed within the DWP, telling us what jobs to apply for - just remember, some of us DO look for work, so don't be so snotty when we come in for our 'reviews', we have feelings and pride, crushed as it already is. We don't need you stamping it to death!!

I can't believe the DWP being so forceful on someone dying of cancer - that is so appalling. I do hope you took this a bit further; both of you would have been struggling emotionally as it ws without having the DWP breathing down your necks threatening to stop your benefits. But it is another sign how how target-driven this country has become when those who suffer are being persecuted like this, just to reduce the numbers of people claiming a benefit.

Good luck to anyone else in a similar position - I'll keep you posted and let you know if I get an interview or the job!![lol]

[Angela]

I wish you all the best, armanisgirl.:)

With all the information our beloved government has on each and every one of us, it never ceases to surprise me how un-joined up things are.

A couple of years ago, when I was having carers from the local council in every day and was completely housebound, I got a letter summoning me to a job focussed interview. It was a major struggle to get to the phone, never mind the jobcentre....and threw me into the most awful panic.

Eventually I plucked up the courage to phone them. The guy I spoke to said 'oh well, we can just do this over the phone' which took only a few minutes. He then said 'oh -well, you shouldn't have got this letter, just ignore it'....

People are only numbers to government departments, not individuals, sadly. In their relentless pursuit of targets, they don't seem to care, or even consider, how much worry and upset they cause to vulnerable folk.[evil]

So many people who're not in the best of health would still much, much prefer to be working, if they could only find a job that they could realistically do. It's not just a matter of being picky! There's no point whatsoever in jobcentreplus staff trying to force folk to attempt jobs they are just not capable of doing -prospective employers won't take that view, will they?

[sweetpea]

So many people who're not in the best of health would still much, much prefer to be working, if they could only find a job that they could realistically do. It's not just a matter of being picky! There's no point whatsoever in jobcentreplus staff trying to force folk to attempt jobs they are just not capable of doing -prospective employers won't take that view, will they?

There are now links with Job Centre and Health and you can have an assessment of the type of work you can do, hours you can work etc.

[Angela]

There are now links with Job Centre and Health and you can have an assessment of the type of work you can do, hours you can work etc.

Fortunately this isn't an issue for me any more sweetpea. :) but at the time the most cursory glance at my notes would have told them I couldn't even begin to take care of myself on a daily basis, let alone go out to work. The guy I spoke to on the phone started on about their 'health advisors' but then said 'oh not now of course, none of this is applicable to you...'

The assessment you mention doesn't really seem to be much help to armanisgirl though, does it? :confused

[Bobinovich]

...who's going to employ someone who has to take regular naps throughout the day else they will become punch drunk? Bearing in mind these naps can be anywhere between 5 minutes and 2 hours long.

Have you thought about a career in politics - yon backbench MPs in Westminster can get away with it :lol:???

[rob murray]

The DWP staff are only following procedures..dont shoot the messenger...shoot the message originator,( government ) heres a thought for everyone..Caithness isnt exactly over endowed with work at the moment...in say 5 -7 years time, when the first big wave of UKAEA redundancies happen ( and hits the wider economy ) things will really slow down....high jobless rates and few jobs....is it fair within this context to make people "work" for benefits or make them feel second rate because there is a lack of jobs available ? Harp on all you wish about scoungers etc as in any benefit system there will always be levels of abuse...but watch that you dont end up an ecomic victim as well !!

[Margaret M.]

....is it fair within this context to make people "work" for benefits or make them feel second rate because there is a lack of jobs available ?

I would have no problem giving something in return if I ever needed benefits. I have a full time job but one of the groups for which I volunteer picks up trash on a regular basis. Here, stretches of the roads and highways are "adopted" by individuals or groups who take responsibility for the trash pick up. We put on our orange vests and walk along the side of the highway picking up garbage. I do it for nothing now so I would have no problem whatsoever doing it in return for drawing benefits. Why do some feel that picking up trash or doing other jobs to improve their surroundings is beneath them? I would hope that doing a little something for the benefits they receive would make them feel better about themselves.

[rob murray]

I would have no problem giving something in return if I ever needed benefits. I have a full time job but one of the groups for which I volunteer picks up trash on a regular basis. Here, stretches of the roads and highways are "adopted" by individuals or groups who take responsibility for the trash pick up. We put on our orange vests and walk along the side of the highway picking up garbage. I do it for nothing now so I would have no problem whatsoever doing it in return for drawing benefits. Why do some feel that picking up trash or doing other jobs to improve their surroundings is beneath them? I would hope that doing a little something for the benefits they receive would make them feel better about themselves.

I always thought that paying income tax and national insurance as deducted from gross pay was a contribution to society and an entitlement to benefits, thats why its called national insurance !! Fair play to you, but heres the catch 22 ....looking for a job is almost a full time profession in itself...surely being made to pick up rubbish would eat into the available time. yes if someone turns down a legitimate job which they can well do, then onto community work...but the notion that you have to "work" for benefits, runs contrary to established national insurance principles. Oh and by the way in this good ol country of ours ( 4th richest in the planet ) income distribution and the taxation system grossly favours the rich...so instead of picking up litter etc free just create community work and pay people a minimum wage...there you have it...wage earners standing on their own two feet...ah but that costs money doesnt it and where does this come from ????