The rules on work focused interviews for claimants of:
changed from 15 December 2008. These are the rules which applied before that date.
Pathways to work
This is a DWP scheme which imposes additional requirements and provides additional support to people on incapacity benefits. It was piloted in a number of areas before being "rolled out" nationally. Since April 2008 it applies to anyone making a new or repeat claim for:
These claimants must attend a first work focused interview (WFI) 8 weeks after they claim. Most claimants will have 5 further WFI's at approximately monthly intervals. They will then have to attend further WFI's at various trigger points. People with "severe disabilities" and those about to start or return to work are not required to attend these further WFI's. They can volunteer for Pathways if they want.
Pathways claimants must agree an action plan with the personal adviser. This sets out any steps they agree to take towards returning to work.
Provided claimants attend and take part in the WFI's they do not have to agree to undertake any actual return to work activity. This is likely to change in the future, probably by 2013 at the latest.
Non Pathways claimants
The old incapacity benefits WFI rules apply to people who have been continuously entitled to these benefits from before the national roll out of Pathways. As Pathways was rolled out in stages the date varies depending on the area. Newcastle Pathways came into effect from 29 December 2006.
Under the old rules, a claimant is required to attend one WFI 8 weeks after the claim. They may then have to attend further WFI's at various trigger points.
All incapacity benefits claimants may be required to attend further work focused interviews if they hit certain trigger points. These include:
In any case, claimants should not go longer than 3 years without attending a work focused interview.
Failing to attend or take part in an interview
If a claimant fails to attend or take part in an interview and does not have good cause, their benefit can be reduced. The amount of the reduction is £12.10 per week for Pathways to Work claimants.
More information about benefits sanctions.
The rules from 15 December 2008.