29 day break in claim = no referral to Work & Health Programme? For Long term unemployed? (24 months)

24 months unemployment check.pdf
"using the number of days in any breaks between claims (only those less than 28 days each), to re-establish the correct
WHP eligibility date"
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/460725/response/1142387/attach/3/24%20months%20unemployment%20check.pdf
Read online https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/460725/response/1142387/attach/3/24%20months%20unemployment%20check.pdf
Via
'Linking Periods Work & Health Programme (WHP)'
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/linking_periods_work_health_prog#incoming-1142387
HT ND " 29 days to break the 24 month linking period." https://respectfulbenefits.forumotion.com/t3652-linking-periods-for-the-work-health-programme#9975

For long term unemployed financially more difficult, to choose to break a claim for 29 days in the immediate future, under Universal Credit, compared to JSA and breaking a JSA claim could mean having to make a UC claim. But could be worth checking if over last 24 months a claim break existed for 29 days+

You can ask the DWP to send your details of your claim(s), say over past 24 months, including details of any breaks by submitting a 'right of access' personal data request
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/request-your-personal-information-from-the-department-for-work-and-pensions
Which can be submitted online https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/personal-information-request

Created a new topic, as not sure 'Linking periods for the Work & Health Programme' would in itself alert those who could be mandated, as long term unemployed, that choosing a 29 day could stop a WHP referral. (if in a financial position to do so)

Participant identification, eligibility and referral
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/work-and-health-programme-provider-guidance

WHP random allocation https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/433524/response/1055629/attach/html/3/3949%20reply.pdf.html
DWP Operational Policy - Procedural Guidance - Work and Health Programme for work coaches.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/work_health_programme_procedural#incoming-1110039

Would not break a claim for 29 days+ without seeking independent advice first from a law centre or advice agency

WHP Long Term Unemployed Participants

12. Participants will be deemed to be Long Term Unemployed when they
reach the following point in their benefit claim:
• JSA Participants at 24 months including linking periods;
• UC Participants who start in the Intensive Work Search Regime
(IWSR) and are in the IWSR when they reach 24 months
discounting change of circumstances within the 24 month period;
and
• Participants migrated to Universal Credit Full Service (UCFS) from
legacy benefits will be considered when their time on legacy
benefits including linking rules and their time in the IWSR totals 24
months.
13. Participants who have completed WHP in England or Wales will be
excluded. The Work Coach will also consider whether a Participant should
be Exempt from WHP or whether participation should be deferred.
14. Whether eligible Participants access the WHP will be determined by a
process of random allocation. If a Participant is randomly allocated, they
will be referred by the Work Coach to the supplier on a mandatory basis.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/678133/whp-provider-guidance-chapter-2-particpant-identification-eligibility-referral.pdf
Via Chapter 2: Participant identification, eligibility and referral
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/work-and-health-programme-provider-guidance

I would suggest a FOI request and then confirm in writing. A welfare adviser would have to do the same.

Linking periods have never changed for most prgrammes/schemes. CWP was an exception.