What is a work-focused interview?
If you’re eligible for Employment and Support Allowance or receiving Income Support, you may have to attend what are known as work-focused interviews at various times. You may also be asked to take part in regular work-related activity. We shed light on what this means and what to expect. We also explain the different rules that apply when you’re a carer.
Do you claim Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support?
If you claim Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support, one of the main requirements may be to have one or a series of work-focused interviews. These involve a work coach from your local Jobcentre Plus office speaking with you to discuss your work situation.
If you are invited to a meeting at the job centre, it’s always good to check if any proposed meeting is a work-focused interview, as this is sometimes not made clear.
What is the aim?
The aim of the interview is to look at your prospects of obtaining work and to identify any activities, training or educational opportunities that may assist with this. During this meeting, it is likely you will be offered further appointments and support to help prepare you for work, which you may have to attend in certain circumstances or your benefits may be affected.
Your work coach will normally draw up an action plan with you, and this should list what actions and steps you will need to take to improve and enhance your prospects of getting a job if you are seeking employment.
Work-related activity
Some people may then have to take part in work-related activity. Examples include: getting help writing a CV, undertaking skills training, getting support with your English or maths, or developing ways to cope with a disability or condition.
If you’re receiving the new style ESA
If you are a carer and one of the following circumstances apply to you, you will not have to take part in work-focused interviews or do any work-related activities:
- You receive Carer’s Allowance; or
- You have an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance (ie, you would qualify for Carer’s Allowance but don’t get it because your earnings are too high).
If you’re receiving the older types of ESA, or Income Support
You may still need to attend a work-focused interview (but not a work-related activity) if you:
- receive Carer’s Allowance
- receive a Carer’s Premium as part of your Employment and Support Allowance claim.
Still unsure?
The rules around how often a carer may need to take part in work-focused interviews and work-related activity can feel complex, so please do contact our Carers UK Helpline for more detailed information if needed.
The rules are also different if you receive Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. For more information, specific to your circumstances, email advice@carersuk.org
If you receive a letter or phone call asking you to take part in a work-focused interview or start a work-related activity, and you feel this is incorrect, you may want to contact the Jobcentre Plus and challenge this.
Sometimes the job centre will have initiatives for groups of people such as carers, and will ask people to attend interviews around preparing for work. It’s important to ask if it is mandatory to attend or if they are inviting you to take part in a voluntary programme.
You can do this by telephone or by letter. Or you could use one of our template letters to help you below.
Ensure that you do this in good time before any appointment. Failure to attend a mandatory appointment without very good cause could lead to you having your benefits suspended or your claim stopped.
If you have a valid reason for delaying or rearranging the time or date (such as illness or a funeral), you should contact the Jobcentre Plus as soon as you can in advance of the meeting and explain your circumstances. You can do this by phone or in writing.
Ensure that you do this in good time before any appointment. Failure to attend a mandatory appointment without very good cause could lead to you having your benefits suspended or your claim stopped.
What template letters can I use to change or challenge a decision?
We have provided some templates as links below using the abbreviations WFI for work-focused interview and WRA for work-related activity. When downloaded, the template letters will appear in a Word document. If you have any issues downloading them, contact our Carers UK Helpline. You will need to add details of your personal circumstances and edit the letter to suit your own situation. (The main sections that need editing are in red.)
I am a carer receiving Income Support and a single parent of a child who is under five. Download template
I am a carer receiving Income Support and I am not a single parent with a child under five – I have been asked to attend a WFI. Download template
I am a carer and have a partner who is receiving Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance as the main claimant – I have been asked to attend a WFI. Download template
I'd like to defer my WFI or believe I am exempt/ I'd like a WFI to be carried out in my own home. Download template
I receive Income Support (and I am also a single parent with a child under five) – I have been asked to undertake a WRA. Download template
I am a carer receiving Employment and Support Allowance in the work-related activity group and also Carer’s Allowance and/or the Carer’s Premium. Download template
Where can I find out more?
Contact Citizens Advice or visit their helpful web pages.
Alternatively, email our helpline for tailored support and guidance at: advice@carersuk.org