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Carer made to attend Job Centre on weekly basis
Check out CPAG page 288, refers to DMG 28608-16
Daphne
the purpose of a work focused interview (WFI) for people who receive Income Support and Carers Allowance, or who have caring responsibilities, is to provide information about the support available from DWP via Jobcentres. </i>
After this initial interview the JC+ should set the next interview trigger for 3 years.
We’ve started to get more calls from carers who are being told they have to attend regular WFI’s, when they don’t. Nothing is ever put in writing to them but they are called in or telephoned and told they have to attend WFI’s, sometimes once a week.
The last time I looked at the DWP guidance on this it baffled me, its much more confusing than the regulations themselves, so it’s hardly surprising that some JC+ offices get it wrong. It’s too widespread though just to be the odd person misunderstanding the rules.
The most common issue we see is where the carer is also a lone parent, and the JC+ staff seem to think the general requirement to attend WFI’s when directed to do so applies to carers.