What's the difference between the two ESA groups?

MoneySaverForever

Hi there, just received a letter there today telling me I've been placed in the Support Group for ESA and that the money I receive will now go up accordingly as a result of this. I expected to have to attend a medical for this benefit but was told it wasn't expected of me which was a great surprise, however, the letter I received today does state that the money I'm to receive from this point forward will be paid at those rates until November of this year. Would I be right in saying that I'm likely to be reassesed at that time? I have nothing to hide, more than happy to undergo a medical but I do feel it's not right for me at this point in time, stress I couldn't deal with and I want to just concentrate on getting well again if I possibly can. The benefits advisor wasn't very clear in explaining what would happen next for me, just said I'd receive word in the post but I'd prefer to have some reassurance and know exactly where I stand because it's all a great worry to me. I asked a question earlier and didn't get a big response to it so hopefully you can tell me more on that too if you can? it will perhaps provide you with more information on my case.

Many thanks for your help.

yappycat

Being placed in the Support Group means that you are not obliged to attend any meetings at your JC+ (for me it was with a 'Pathways to Work advisor - dunno if its the same across the board) to discuss any of the ways they can help you to possibly get yourself back into employment. However they are still available to meet with you (if you wish) to discuss such matters and/or any related benefit type issues like Tax Credits etc. In the Work Related Activity Group you are obliged to attend 'periodical' meetings with an advisor as and when they see fit (or I guess also if you initiate contact for whatever purpose).
The group you are placed in will probably not be reassessed until your ESA is, or ofc unless you ask to be reassessed on the grounds that you feel you are well enough to undertake any work related activities.
I believe the group you are placed in is based on the medical assessment that has already been done in respect of your current ESA claim, so there shouldn't be anything to stress about there tbh. I don't think there is always an ATOS medical needed for ESA, the decision maker can make a decision based on the information you provided on the form if they feel that they can do so.
Basically being in the SG rather than the WRAG means you have no obligation to do anything unless you should wish to and can concentrate on getting better

This is just my understanding of the differences between the two groups but I'm sure there are others here who can provide a fuller account of the exact nature of the differences.

MoneySaverForever

Wow, thanks a lot! This answer makes perfect sense to me and is really helpful I want to return to work, hope to overcome my illness and get back to what I love.

CountryGuy

MoneySaverForever wrote: »

Hi there, just received a letter there today telling me I've been placed in the Support Group for ESA and that the money I receive will now go up accordingly as a result of this. I expected to have to attend a medical for this benefit but was told it wasn't expected of me which was a great surprise, however, the letter I received today does state that the money I'm to receive from this point forward will be paid at those rates until November of this year. Would I be right in saying that I'm likely to be reassesed at that time? I have nothing to hide, more than happy to undergo a medical but I do feel it's not right for me at this point in time, stress I couldn't deal with and I want to just concentrate on getting well again if I possibly can. The benefits advisor wasn't very clear in explaining what would happen next for me, just said I'd receive word in the post but I'd prefer to have some reassurance and know exactly where I stand because it's all a great worry to me. I asked a question earlier and didn't get a big response to it so hopefully you can tell me more on that too if you can? it will perhaps provide you with more information on my case.

Many thanks for your help.

I'm not sure how it works either.

My letter stated I would receive a Christmas bonus??

I asked to have the work related interview although I'm in the support group as I feel my depression can and hopefully will improve. I was invited to one at my request only to be told I was not yet ready for such interviews and when I feel I have improved I am more than welcome to contact them again.

I just refuse to be left on the junk heap just yet! I gracefully accepted that at this moment in time I am probably not ready for any work related support but I do hope I will be long before Christmas!

yappycat

If you guys are worried about being left in the SG and forgotten about, then you can always call and ask when your reassessment is likely to be. Also as CountryGuy is aware of, you can call and request an interview at any time if you feel you have improved sufficiently

rogerblack

MoneySaverForever wrote: »

Hi there, just received a letter there today telling me I've been placed in the Support Group for ESA and that the money I receive will now go up accordingly as a result of this.

One more difference that nobodies mentioned.
You can either claim income based, or contributions based ESA.
Contributions based is for people with enough NI contributions in the last 2 years - income based is based around your household income.

If placed in the support group, and are claiming contributions based ESA - as your income is too high for income based, then there is no time limit to your award.

Otherwise it's twelve months - then you have to claim income based ESA if you're eligable.

richard9991

rogerblack wrote: »

One more difference that nobodies mentioned.
You can either claim income based, or contributions based ESA.
Contributions based is for people with enough NI contributions in the last 2 years - income based is based around your household income.

If placed in the support group, and are claiming contributions based ESA - as your income is too high for income based, then there is no time limit to your award.

Otherwise it's twelve months - then you have to claim income based ESA if you're eligable.

This has not yet been made law and if it is wont happen until 2012

rogerblack

richard9991 wrote: »

This has not yet been made law and if it is wont happen until 2012

As I understand it, this is true.
However - the time limit starts running before April 2012.
If you're on WRAG now - contributory - then it will cut off in April 2012, as you've been on it >12 months.
If it's the anniversary of the welfare reform bill passing, it may be a bit later than April 2012.

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/755/