Confused re- ESA

jimvon

Hi could somebody please explain how many groups are they within the ESA.

1) Support Group
2) Limited Capability for Work (LCW)
3) Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)

If placed in the WRAG group what is the difference between them?

And also if the new 12 month maximum rule for contributory ESA get passed next year what group will it effect?
:mad:

Adereterial

jimvon wrote: »

Hi could somebody please explain how many groups are they within the ESA.

1) Support Group
2) Limited Capability for Work (LCW)
3) Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA)

If placed in the WRAG group what is the difference between them?

And also if the new 12 month maximum rule for contributory ESA get passed next year what group will it effect?
:mad:

There are essentially two groups: Support Group, and Work Related Activity Group.

The rules relating to the 12 month cap apply to people placed in the WRAG only.

In the WRAG, there are several distinct groupings - a 3 month prognosis, 6 month prognosis, and 12 month prognosis. Those in the 3 & 6 month prognosis groups go on to the Work Programme immediately after their assessment. Those in the 12 month can volunteer, as can those in the support group.

Muttleythefrog

There are just 2 groups in the main phase of ESA. For new claims there is a 3 month assessment phase.. at around the end of it (or at the time of transferring from another benefit like IB) you get a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and if you pass you are determined to have limited capability for work or limited capability for (work and) work related activity. If the former, it is Work Related Activity Group (WRAG), if the latter it is Support Group (SG).

So (passing the test for) LCWRA means Support Gp, (passing the test for) LCW means WRAG. Support Gp means you are classified as the most seriously disabled, you get more money than WRAG and are not required to take part in any Work related activities. If WRAG you get a little less money than SG and could be required to take part in Work related activity.... but not required to apply for or take jobs.

The 12 month period applies to Contribution based ESA WRAG if passed into law. Affected claimants could be entitled to Income related ESA WRAG instead at the end of that period.

jimvon

I am currently transferring from IB to ESA and have sent off my completed ESA50 form and I am waiting for a decision from them.

This is all new to me because I have been on IB for 4 years and have never had a have a medical, they have just made their decision based on my medical records.
I’ve just use to complete a IB form in every 18 months and no sick notes were required.

Muttleythefrog

If you're required to attend a face to face medical they'll usually be in touch pretty soon after you return ESA50. But they may not require one for fact finding as per your experience with IB.. here's hoping eh.

martin57

I too have found those 2 phrases lcwra and lcw very confusing and though I have got my head around them now, it still it is still confusing and if I don't keep reminding myself waht exactly they mean, after a while I have to start reading up on them again.

Could there not have been simplier jargon aplied to it rather than the above?. Work and support group is easy enough to understand but all this "limited capability" stuff only serves to confuse, well me anyways.

martin57