Help and support
Ask the expert
I look after my
partner and claim
Carer’s Allowance
and Income
Support. I’ve recently had
a letter from the Jobcentre
asking me to attend a ‘work
focused interview’, which
has really worried me. I
would like to work in the
future, but at the moment
I care for my partner 24/7
and don’t have any time
to look for work or actually
hold down a job. Any
advice?
Q
As you are
claiming Income
Support it is
normal to be
asked to attend some
work focused interviews
(WFIs). However, as you are
claiming as a carer (and
as you aren’t also a lone
parent with any children
under five years of age –
where different rules apply),
you should only be ask ed
to attend a WFI in the
following circumstances:
A
• at the start of your claim
for Income Support
• when Carer’s Allowance
ends
• when you start or finish
part-time work
• when you finish training
• when you turn 18
• in any other case when
three years have passed
20
since the last time you
attended
If you are asked to attend a
WFI but none of the above
circumstances apply,
then you could contact the
Jobcentre to challenge the
fact that you have to attend
a WFI. We have produced
some template letters which
can help with this, which are
available on our website.
If you are asked to attend a
WFI and one of the above
circumstances does apply
to you (for example if you
haven’t attended a WFI for
three years), then you would
need to attend and take
part in the WFI.
During your WFI you should
make it clear that you are
still caring for your partner
and that you aren’t looking
to get back into work at
the moment because of
your caring role. The work
coach carrying out your
WFI is likely to suggest
that support can be offered
around preparing you
for work, such as regular
meetings or work related
activity. It is at this point
that you need to be really
clear in declining this
support if you feel that now
is not the right time for you
to prepare for work because
of the demands of your
caring role, and you are
perfectly entitled to do so.
Once you have been to
the WFI you shouldn’t
have to attend another
one for another three
years (assuming your
circumstances don’t
change), and you shouldn’t
have to undertake any work
related activity (unless you
agree to this).
If the Jobcentre do ask
you to undertake any
work related activity
(such as looking for work,
undertaking training, or
taking part in the Work
Programme), then you could
contact the Jobcentre to
challenge this. We have
produced some template
letters which can help with
this, which are available on
our website.
carersuk.org