HRM HRC and pathway to work

Hi Crazydiamond,
yes could you please let me know. My wife was told it is compulsory.

Thanks
Dave.

Before I search for the legislation, could you confirm if your wife receives ESA, or Incapacity Benefit and/or Income Support?

If so, as Gordon has said it may be the case that she is required to attend for a WFI on condition of receiving either of these benefits. The exemption would only apply if she only receives Carer's Allowance? Her entitlement to DLA is not dependent on attending WFIs.

Hi Crazydiamond,
yes my wife also receives income support. The lady at the DWP rang back to tell my wife that she wasn't the advisor named on the letter and to ring back tomorrow to speak to the named advisor.

Thanks
Dave

As your wife claims Income Support as well as Carer's Allowance, this will be the trigger point to attend a WFI.

If your wife had only been claiming CA, she would not have been invited for a WFI, but this provision does not apply when certain other benefits such as IS are in payment.

Hi Crazydiamond,
thanks for your help. When my wife rings tomorrow to speak to the advisor she is going to ask if it can be waived because of our circumstances.

Thanks
Dave.

Unfortunately WFIs can no longer be waived, but can only be deferred "if it is appropriate in the circumstances."

What this amounts to is an ambiguous statement which is open to discretion by the WFI personal adviser, but if a claimant has extenuating circumstances they should be taken into account. For example, if a claimant cannot attend for an interview at the local JCP office, it is possible to conduct a WFI over the telephone.