Published: Thursday, 13th December, 2007 12:30
Injured man forced to benefits interview
By Tracey Bryce
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Alan Lindsay was forced to attend an interview at Alloa's Jobcentre Plus office – and was then told it was a waste of time.
AN INJURED man was forced to hop down three flights of stairs to attend a “back to work” interview – despite having a job – or face losing his sickness benefit because of government red tape.
Self-employed builder Alan Lindsay was forced to sign on in September after shattering his heel in an accident at work.
Since then, the 44-year-old has spent over a month in hospital, undergone major surgery to rebuild his right foot, and been rendered almost completely immobile after medics ordered he keep weight off his injured heel for at least 15 weeks.
But staff at Alloa’s Jobcentre Plus insisted Alan brave the pain and make the two-mile trip from his Sauchie home to their office in Alloa’s Mar Street – which involved struggling down 48 concrete stairs with his leg in plaster and relying on a wheelchair – for a statutory Work Focused Interview this month because it’s government policy.
Alan claims he had no choice but to attend because the letter sent to him detailing the appointment last month stated his benefit claim would be affected if he didn’t show up.
Alan, who plans to return to being a self employed builder again when he’s fully recovered and had a medical certificate signing him off work until weeks after the interview slot, told the Advertiser, “I couldn’t believe they made me go.
“They said they want me to find work, but I already have a job. It was a complete waste of time.”
Despite calling ahead to notify Jobcentre Plus of his mobility difficulties, Alan was told that as long as he could get out of the house by some means, he would have to appear.
“There really was no option – I had to go,” he explained. “I’ve got bills to pay so I couldn’t afford to lose the benefit.
“It was extremely painful getting downstairs and a lot of hassle but I managed.”
Upon arrival at the Jobcentre Plus office, however, Alan says it was a completely different story.
“The staff couldn’t apologise enough,” he said. “They said I probably shouldn’t be there in my condition, but that it was government policy as anyone who is off work for eight weeks or more has to attend one of these interviews.
“The interview was all about advice on future training and career opportunities – neither of which are relevant to me.
“I have a job and, if I was well enough, I would be working.
“There was no reason for the Jobcentre to have to speak to me about going back to work because I have a job to go back to when I am well enough to work again.”
And he slammed Jobcentre Plus for failing to make an allowance for his medical status by cancelling the interview.
“It’s ridiculous. I could go around Alloa and round up about 100 people who have never worked and claimed sickness benefits all their lives and haven’t been treated like this.
“I am a genuinely sick, so it was just pointless.”
Although he is unsure when he will be able to return to work, Alan has been ordered to rest his foot until January at least.
“The hospital showed me an x-ray of my foot and it looks like a Meccano set, full of nuts and bolts.
“My dad had the same injury about 40 years ago and he was off for 18 months, so I’m hoping it won’t take that long. In the meantime I’ve just got to rest as much as possible and hope for the best.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), the government department which supports Jobcentre Plus, refused to comment on Mr Lindsay’s individual case, but added, “For people claiming incapacity benefit, there is a statutory requirement to attend a Work Focused Interview in the ninth week of incapacity, but it is recognised that in certain circumstances this interview can be waived or deferred.”
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