ESA WRAG and Work Programme

molliemookie

Hello

I am on ESA Contribution Based and just been placed on the new work progamme. Has anyone had any experience of this and shed some light on what to expect.

Thank you.

red_devil

Work programme is like new deal. You are under a provider say Pertemps for example and they are meant to see you often and help you with CV's etc. You may be required to do 4 weeks work placement too.

I think you are there for 2 years or less if you find a job. They get paid if they help you into work.

HTH.

molliemookie

Thank you for that but how am I to do 4 weeks work placement when I am so depressed most daysI don't even leave my bed.

FleurDuLys

If you are that ill Mollie, you should appeal to be put into the Support Group instead of the WRAG. Your GP and CPN will support you in this, as they'll be able to supply the medical notes which show how ill you are.

molliemookie

FleurDuLys wrote: »

If you are that ill Mollie, you should appeal to be put into the Support Group instead of the WRAG. Your GP and CPN will support you in this, as they'll be able to supply the medical notes which show how ill you are.

Thank you

I am seeing my GP tomorrow she has been insisting I go see her for several weeks now but I've found it too difficult to go so now I have written everything down as when I go I either start to panic or clam up.

Thank you.

molliemookie

I have just read the letter for the work programme given to me my the job centre and it says, 'You will not be made to apply for a job, work or have any medical treatment'.

So just what will they offer me?

FleurDuLys

I was in the WRAG last year and went to Pathways meetings, which sound similar. They were really really good, I was working towards changing career and the guy was willing to help me sort out voluntary work placements so I could get experience. It's a positive thing! Think about what sort of work you'd like to do when you're well again, and ask them for help There's no pressure but you can take little steps to help yourself for the future even though you're ill right now.

molliemookie

Thank you again.

I want to go back into the same line of work as I was before I got ill. I have always kept up to date with training (was a requirement)

The whole thing today has just set me right back again but I'm hoping tomorrow is a new day and I can start to climb the slippery slope again. I just hate it when I feel I am doing so well that something like this can knock me right back down. (temporarily I hope)

Thank you for your positive feedback, I really appreciate it.

rogerblack

FleurDuLys wrote: »

If you are that ill Mollie, you should appeal to be put into the Support Group instead of the WRAG. Your GP and CPN will support you in this, as they'll be able to supply the medical notes which show how ill you are.

There is now a subtle third class of ESA.

If you are in the support group, you don't need to do work program.
If you are in the WRAG, and you have a 'prognosis' of over 6 months, then you do not get called to enter the work program.
If you're in the WRAG and have a prognosis of 3 or 6 months, then you may get called immediately in the case of 3 months, or after 3 months in the case of 6 months - so 3 months before the end.

(the prognosis is the date that you are assessed to possibly be likely to recover, so should be reassessed - it's usually determined by the ATOS HCP who works out on the basis of a 40 min interview that you're likely to recover from a lifelong illness in 6 months, though this can be varied by the decision maker)

It's deeply depressing there is absolutely no recognition officially that there can be people who are ill, and will never get better, though not meeting the tests of the support group.

wombles_forever

Hi. just to say that you are not alone.

I had my first ATOS medical at the end of June and was notified that I been placed in the WRAG group 2 weeks later. After hearing of the problems people have had with ATOS I was surprised to gain the points required (I know that I should have as I am receiving treatment for both ongoing physical and mental health issues, but you know how they work).

I was called into the JCP for what I thought was a work focused interview earlier this week. At this interview I was informed that as my prognosis was 3/6 (?) months I was being referred to the work programme and to expect a call from them in the next 2/3 weeks. Don't think my doctor would agree with this prognosis but didn't appeal it as was scared of losing the ESA award completely.

Yesterday I had a voicemail left for me from the provider and that I have an interview with them next week. I now feel that this may be the way that they intend to get round the problem of so many people going to appeal tribunals. ie. put new claimants into the WRAG group and then refer them to the work programme as this means that they are no longer the JCP's responsibility (I was told that I would not be seen at the JCP anymore once I had been referred).

I will let you all know what is said next week and how they intend to deal with ESA claimants on the work programme in the future. I went through New Deal with the same provider last year so know how they work and am not looking forward to this one little bit.

molliemookie

Thank you so very much, any information would be great. My doctor as now put me on diazepam 3 times a day to try and help me stay calm and is asking my psych to see me urgently. They made my appointment whilst I was at the job centre because I never answer the phone. I go on the 9th August.