ive been moved onto income related esa from contribution based esa, i was told that it would be the same amount but i found out its £20 less than before, the woman at the job centre kindly pointed out that i will be attending job courses and job groups as and when im sent on them and i told her because of the ms i cant always guarantee that ill be ok from week to week and that i may have to rearrange there schedule for me for the good days, i was told that was not possible and if i choose not to attend then they will take a large amount of esa off me for a period of weeks, so it will be in my best interest to do what is set out for me, i hate being made to feel like im being threatend by some stuck up school girl who thinks she is better than me, this is all i need, i will work and i want to work, even if its just a few hrs a week. they put me in the wrag group of the ir esa, im still waiting for letters from the dr and neuro to say i have different disabilities to prove i have them on the off chance i can be moved onto the support group, but i know thats highly unlikely tho, but its worth a chance
You would indeed be sanctioned (have benefit stopped or reduced) if you simply decided not to attend work focused activities. That is not what you are saying. You have flagged up the fact that at times you might be too ill to attend these meetings. This is considered a “good reason” not to attend and you should not be sanctioned because of it.
You should deal with each incidence individually and let your job center know ASAP if you are too poorly to attend. If they still decide to sanction you can appeal against it.
I wouldn’t get too upset by people on the telephone. What they have to say is not always accurate and their people skills leave very much to be desired. You cannot be forced to do something if you are not well enough to do it.
Jane