Universal Credit..anyone? know anything about it? seems that is what I have to go on.

never heard of WRAG..but will google it.

Actually unlike mobility allowance its mobilise rather than walk. Ie. If you could theoretically use a manual wheelchair you wouldn't qualify as you could 'mobilise'

* Dj* did nt mean to shout. I'd left caps lock on and am feeling lazy!
Right you get into the support group by being in one of the qualifying groups. Eg can't walk 50metres. Incontinent every day. Uusing behaviour that is violent or threatening and would be unacceptable in the work place on a daily basis.
There are a few others but I haven't my schedule with me.
There is also regulation 35 which you'd have to look up but basically means there would be substantial risk of deterioration in your physical or mental health if you were found capable of work related activities.

She is doing...

People who are not available for work get sanctioned, biker, so he was giving you good advice. Go on the course.

Your advert sounds as if it is for McKenzie friends bikergran. However, I think he was telling you not to try to do this at this stage.

I should go on your course and enjoy it; you never know what will come from it and you are ticking some of their boxes.

Although I am deaf, so I am used to being shouted at.

Sorry, Galen, what I meant was how do people qualify for one group and not the other. No need to shout at me.

Dj I explained above the difference between WRAG and support group. Basically apart from the money you don't have to to courses and apply for jobs etc. they can't sanction you!
On WRAGS YOU HAVE TO GO ON COURSES OR YOU GET SANCTIONED BUT YOU DONT HAVE TO LOOK FOR JOBS.

It's a Catch 22 situation, isn't it?

Volunteering would give you some experience and probably give you a better chance with prospective employers, but you wouldn't technically be 'available for work' depending on the hours you did...mad!

Yes Ana I did think ,well at least it will be a bit of socialising.
I did ask at the Jobcentre during my interview about "Voluntary Work" but he wasn't very helpful.

It was advertised in the local paper, for "Volunteers to help with families/people at the Coroners court, to help and support them" I feel like I could be of some help and would have liked a chance, but the chap at the JB centre just said "well if you are doing volunteer work then you are not available for work, so I didn't pursue it as we only ahd a n allotted time so don't think he had time for "extra questions" .

It's probably so that no one can complain they weren't helped to compose cvs and taught how to send emails biker - a tick-box exercise!

Still, at least you'll meet others in the same boat and may pick up a few tips...

Hi durhamjen I don't know about figures? enlighten me lol. [smile

Courses! I don't really know, he just said I will put you on this " Digital Upskill Course"

Think it is to learn how to send emails, write to employers,write a CV etc.

I did say I was ok with computer, but he just sort of put me on it and I wasn't sure if to say that I don't really need it, but being a "newbie" I was bothered what I should and shouldn't say!

Well done, biker. On a course already?
Which set of figures does that put you in?
You used to have to be on JSA for six months before they put you on a course.

So the disabled on work related are going to be given the same amount of money as the able bodied, even though living costs are greater for them, is that right?

What is the difference between WRAG and ESA? Apart from the money, of course.
And what's the difference between being in the WRAG group and ordinary JSA group?

Hi al.. well I've been, got the t shirt got the handbook!

saw a chap he was pleasant enough just doing his job singing off the hymn sheet so to speak, wasn't interested as to what had gone on in the past 12 months, as far as he was concerned I was just there to make a new claim. Spent about 40/45 mins with him.

He asked how my computer skills were? I said ok! he says, right well we will send you on this course! ok ? (well seeing as though at the bottom of the page it read *Attendance to this appointments mandatory failure to attend could effect your benefit*) I didn't have much choice, so I have to go on "The Switch" for 2 full days then half days over a 6 weeks period.

I had to sign this that and they other and must obey their rules if I don't I could be sanctioned (for very minimal excuses) I have got my little book which I have to record everything down, jobs I have applied for starting now

Next appointment next Friday where I will see my support worker she looked ok .

So there you are I am now officially on JS (could have at least given me a badge ) maybe that is not a bad idea! as if potential employers are walking round town and happen to glance my way !!

ESA ? I did mention that I had been advised to got to he Docs and apply for ESA he said well you can still do that if you feel the need to whilst you are on JS.

thanks for all your support time

That's the WRAG lot. The support group ones ( who don't have to sign on at JCs or are do work related activities) aren't affected and get more money as well

Good to know, Galen. I read in the paper today that sick and disabled benefits could be cut by £30 a week. People on ESA deemed likely to be able to return to work in the future ( which means just about everyone on ESA) will receive £73.10, the same as Jobseeker's Allowance, instead of the £102.15 they get at present.
Doesn't matter what it's called; it's the amount that matters to most people on it.

If you are biker gran in spirit, that's good enough for us.

ESA is not being phased out! They are considering downsizing the WRAG payment to being the same as JSA
Presumably it would have to be passed by parliament anyway

Oh and I am not sure if I can be "Bikergran" any more as I sold my bike yesterday

Thanyou all for your good wishes..yes I am going with open mind, I must say the lady who rang me twice, did sound very nice called me by my first name and wasn't offhand or anything so I am hoping she is the lady whom I am seeing this morning.

Galanthat was a thought the ESA? I have been in contact with a welfare officer, she amongst others that I have spoke to did point me in the direction of the Doctors to maybe see if I could obtain a 13 week sick note to give me a little more time to start adjusting, I have been advised of that all the way along (even one of the jobcentre staff)! but...I thought I may as well just get on with it and no use prolonging it, as at the end of that I would still have to go onto JC.

The "own your home bit" was confusing, I didn't get to the stage where it asked about "outright ownership" or "Mortgaged" I was told after running round in circles that I was not eligible for Universal credit because I owned my own home, so not sure on that one.

Although some people (at the jobcentre) and others, may see "owning your home outright" may sound like "ohh well she! must be ok to own her home outright at 59/60yrs of age, what people don't always know, is that we downsized nearly 16 yrs ago we sold our bigger house and just had enough to buy much smaller house outright.

durhamjen I think you could be right that ESA is being phased out, the thing is they what they do is just make up a new benefit name but in the end it's just the same as the old benefit....(just to confuse us)

I have a feeling it means you or you and the mortgage company Galen as you can apply for help to pay your mortgage interest in the same way that you can get housing allowance.

Good luck tomorrow bikergran probably better finding out what the reality is (usually better than you think ) than imagining it for the next few days.

Don't they want to get rid of ESA next week, Galen? Probably a good idea that biker's appointment has been brought forward.

By the way does 'own your own home mean mortgage paid?