Work and Health Program

Anya wrote:They are going to refer me to something called RAM, because I said that I would need a job where I am sitting down, like a secretarial job, or teaching, because of my hip defects and back problems due to the way I was born. Does anyone know what RAM is? I don't! Also the action plan they typed up while I was speaking to them, I said can I have a copy of it to show the job centre, as they were asking for one when I get it, I got a copy, and it's all wrong. Half the things on there that she said I have agreed to, I didn't agree to it! I wasn't able to read it before I signed, because they wouldn't let me. I only read it when I got home. I'm not happy, but I can't complain to anyone until next week when they telephone me. I will say to them, "I can't show this to the jobcentre, as its nearly all wrong. You should have let me read it before I signed it." Also she used the term "side hustle" during our interview. I had no idea what that meant. Firstly I have never used or heard that expression before, and I speak Russian at home with my family, so I'm sitting there looking at her with a face that says "What the hell does that mean?" but she didn't explain it. I had to go home and google "side hustle." Now I'm even more confused. How can someone who they want to put into full time work, who has limitations, do a side hustle as well? I don't have the energy to do a full time job, but if I got one, I would do my best. So now they expect me to side hustle as well! Errrrm, I think its time for Yes I have heard that one before
Am I allowed to post some things from the action plan they made with me? What I actually said, and what they wrote? If not, I won't do it, but I'm just asking to see what other people think. Thank you

Anya wrote:Thank you Mousecat. She said to me that I had consented to be referred to Maximus's own mental health program, but as I am already attending Catalyst, I said I would like to continue with them. Also because I mentioned my mobility issues, she said that I should need to be referred to a program called RAM, due to the fact that I would need a sitting-down job. Does anyone know what RAM is? Is it a medical assessment? According to the jobcentre, and DWP, my next assessment is not until July of 2024. Should I be worried? She wouldn't let me read the action plan through before she printed it. When I got home I read it, and I was so horrified I had a panic attack in the shower! I just read what you said about appointment time. They kept me there for hour and half, and she used some can I say, 2020s slang terms, that I did not understand. I came to this country from a warzone, and I feel less safe here than I did in Ukraine.

Anya wrote:Thank you! I am so glad I found this forum! I have got more advice out of these lovely people than I ever had from Maximus! I am on income based ESA, I believe. My work coach at the jobcentre where I go is actually really nice, a lot better than the previous one.

In that case, you should tell your work coach at the Jobcentre everything you've told us about the WHP.

At Maximus when I did induction I had a very nice work coach and he took time understanding me and take details of my actual disability. When I told him, he had heard of it, but he didn't have a full understanding of it, so he googled it and read a lot about it while I was in the room! I really felt that he understood me and he didn't make fun of me when I said I needed a sitting-down job! However this one, she asked about my disability and why would I need sitting-down job? There are lots of jobs that people do while sitting down, so I explained the nature of my disability. Then the man I saw last time came into the office, and asked me how I was. She cut me off when I answered him and said "Can we get back to the questions? We're not here for pleasantries!" I wanted to ask, on here, are they allowed on the work and health program, to complete medical and mental health assessment with me?

The WHP can only complete medical and mental health assessments with you if you consent to it. Otherwise they have no right to that highly sensitive information.

That's what she wants to do the next time I attend, and its freaking me out. Also the induction work coach, he agreed with me that I should attend every two weeks, however this one is insisting that I agreed to weekly. I have drafted a complaint email, but am scared to send it, as it might get back to her and she would cause problems for me. I feel a lot better about having written down all the things that I did not agree to, that she wrote that I HAVE agreed to, on the action plan. When I asked can I read it before I sign, she said no we don't have time for that, my next client is here. Its not as if I sit at home on my bum doing nothing all day but she thinks so!

Anya wrote:Thank you Gallazz. You write that "you don't actually have to attend the Work and Health Programme" does that mean that I would be entitled to telephone appointments?

It means you don't have to take part in the programme at all. It's voluntary for people on ESA or the equivalent on UC, meaning that can't sanction you if you refuse or stop taking part in the programme.

Do I have to discuss medical things with them? That's what she wants to do at my next appointment.

Absolutely not. Just tell her you're not comfortable discussing it because it's too personal (and who would be comfortable disclosing sensitive information to someone who treats them like dirt?).

I don't feel comfortable discussing my medical business with someone who writes that I agreed to things I didn't agree to, on the action plan, because if I tell her about my medical history and disability and that sort of thing, she will record it all wrong. I've already been through all that at my induction appointment with that first really nice jobcoach. If I could see him every time, I wouldn't mind going every two weeks. He agreed with me that coming every two weeks would be okay, but she wants me to come every week. I have also emailed Maximus to say that I withdraw my consent and to say that I need to stay on the program, but it was agreed that I could have telephone appointments, on my first phone call with Maximus. I hope that makes sense. Also the induction man, he took a photocopy of my CV as I had one with me, and he said that he had worked in recruitment previously, and my CV looked very good. However when I showed it to her, she said "oh that won't get you a job." I don't have a printer at home, or a library card, and I don't know anyone who has one who can aid me. I thought a photocopy of my CV would be good enough, but not for her

Anya wrote:Thank you for giving me all that good advice. I didn't mind showing the first adviser my CV, because it was good for me to have someone who had worked in recruitment to look at it. Someone who worked in recruitment actually helped me put it together in Ukraine, so I'm glad when he said it was fine. He asked if he could take a copy of it, and I said yes. However this one, she said on my action plan that I agreed to complete my CV by Tuesday. It is as complete as it is going to be, and when he showed her a copy of it, she spoke to me like I was dog poo on her shoe. I don't mean to be rude, but I did feel like dog poo on someone's shoe. I wouldn't mind going back to them if I could see the first adviser again, he was lovely, and he said it wouldn't be difficult for me to get a job. He even said that he would come to the bus station and walk with me to the office if I was unsure of where to come. But I don't really want to see her again. I'm not being rude. I'm 38 and I would guess she wasn't even 20. To use what I call 2020 slang words in front of me, I had to come home and google "side hustle." I would need a sitting down job, so I told her this, and she said I could do a side hustle as well! I have a lot less energy than an able bodied person due to my disablement, so how the heck would I manage another job on the side? She also said, because I would need a sitting-down-job, she would refer me to a special program called RAM. What in the world is that? Can I say no? Next appointment is Tuesday morning, at 9.30. I did ask for 11am, because I can't get there any earlier due to allowing travel time, but no. It has to be 9.30

Anya wrote:Thank you for giving me all that good advice. I didn't mind showing the first adviser my CV, because it was good for me to have someone who had worked in recruitment to look at it. Someone who worked in recruitment actually helped me put it together in Ukraine, so I'm glad when he said it was fine. He asked if he could take a copy of it, and I said yes. However this one, she said on my action plan that I agreed to complete my CV by Tuesday. It is as complete as it is going to be, and when he showed her a copy of it, she spoke to me like I was dog poo on her shoe. I don't mean to be rude, but I did feel like dog poo on someone's shoe. I wouldn't mind going back to them if I could see the first adviser again, he was lovely, and he said it wouldn't be difficult for me to get a job. He even said that he would come to the bus station and walk with me to the office if I was unsure of where to come. But I don't really want to see her again. I'm not being rude. I'm 38 and I would guess she wasn't even 20. To use what I call 2020 slang words in front of me, I had to come home and google "side hustle." I would need a sitting down job, so I told her this, and she said I could do a side hustle as well!

What an absolute moron.

I have a lot less energy than an able bodied person due to my disablement, so how the heck would I manage another job on the side? She also said, because I would need a sitting-down-job, she would refer me to a special program called RAM. What in the world is that? Can I say no?

I don't know what RAM is but it is terrible that she's referred you without explaining what it is.

Your participation on the WHP is voluntary because you're on ESA, so you can say no to anything and don't have to stay on the programme. If you were on JSA or the IWSR on Universal Credit, your participation on the WHP could be mandatory, meaning that you would have to attend appointments if you received written notification that your benefits would be affected if you did not attend. If you have not received this notification then you don't have to do attend the appointment - in other words, it's not mandatory.
That applies whichever benefit you're on. On ESA, you can be mandated to do certain things, but that doesn't include the WHP, so none of your appointment notifications should say that. Hope that makes sense. Let me know if it doesn't.

Next appointment is Tuesday morning, at 9.30. I did ask for 11am, because I can't get there any earlier due to allowing travel time, but no. It has to be 9.30. I also agreed with the first man that I should come two-weekly or monthly, but this one insists I come weekly. Can they do that? How often does one attend usually? I have no idea as I do not know apart from on here, anyone who has been sent to this program before.

Anya wrote:Does anyone on here have a telephone number for Maximus? I'm not going to ring it, but I just want to know if anyone has got it! I saw a woman on the television tonight who looked like Mrs Up Yourself, and I had a panic attack. My husband freaked out, because he's never seen me have one. I don't have them that often, in fact I don't think I've had this many since last May, when he was in the steelworks in Mariupol, and we lost contact with the soldiers for two days. She's getting in my head now. I am now planning to attend depression group at my local community centre, the people running that group are from the mental health group that I am already attending. I think I need it! I went last week as well