PLEASE HELP - Benefit change to ESA

northeastlass

I'm new here but desperately need advice. I am being switched over to ESA early December. I'm extremely worried about being put into the wrag group as I have agoraphobia, battled depression and anxiety for years. I have been trying to push myself to conquer these and very slowly thought I was making a little progress. I don't know if Its best to write a letter asking to be put in the support group or whether I need to appeal. Problem is I can,t cope with trying to get to citizens advice and welfare rights can give phone advice only as I'm not under a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse. I would eventually like to work, however, I know at this point in time I'm struggling to function and feel I have gone backover. The stress is having a huge impact on my health and any progress I thought I was making. When I filled the forms in I was honest and open with difficulties I face. I received a letter stating I would be placed in the wrag group. I have not had a medical or explanation. I'm trying to build up trust in my new doctor who asked for it to be postponed for 6 months. This was ignored. I again visited my GP who has gave me another letter but I am losing any faith fast. My health is deteriorating quickly. Please can anyone advise as to what i need to do. I'm not sure if I write asking to be in the support group if it will be ignored. Do I need to go straight to appeal.

amus

To be honest its unlikely you will be placed in the support group for anxiety and agorophobia. The people placed in this group for mental health conditions will usually have either severe learning disabilities, or be hospitalised, or taking strong anti psychotic medication with regular input from mental health professionals.

For the descriptor 'Getting About' which is the category your illness would most likely fall within, will never give LCWRA, even if you score 15 points.

You still have the right to appeal though.

However you do state that you would eventually like to work, this is the what the WRAG was designed for, not to make people go to work, but to help people prepare for work in the future, if and when it becomes a possibility.

northeastlass

I have not spent time around people for so long (social phobia) and the thought of trying to go into the building. I struggle to get to the doctors and force myself to food shop when i can. I'm bursting into tears again when out so shutting myself away again. I would have thought I would come under social engagement. I'm trying to learn to cope with people and places but my health is going backwards as i'm trying too fast and am not ready yet. I end up feeling humiliated and embarrassed. Am I best asking for the decision to be looked at again or ask for an appeal straight away

rogerblack

https://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf - are the criteria - see page 13 for support group.
Addressing the points.
Mobilising is not a problem - this descriptor doesn't mention other people at all - trying to bring difficulty with others into it will be hard.
The physical - transferring, reaching, moving, dexterity - similarly have no hope.
Making self understood - Only if your problem usually stops you telling someone (for example) that the building is on fire.
Understanding communication isn't likely to work.
Do you have problems with incontinence brought on by the panic - if not - this doesn't help either.
Learning tasks - you'd have to argue that this could not be done, due to you not being able to complete the tasks due to the presence of other people.
Awareness of hazard seems unlikely.
Initiating and completing actions also.
Coping with change a possible. If you use pre-planned routines to do stuff, and can't cope without these routines, ...
The two coping with food descriptors are again unlikely.

The two 'best' are probably 'coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder' and 'appropriateness of behaviour with other people...

Regular bursting into tears in the workplace could well be said to be 'disinhibited behaviour' - within the scope of the guidance for the second.

For the first 'Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others, or significant distress experienced by the individual'.

Bursting into tears is clearly a marker of 'significant distress'.
The problem with this bit of guidance is 'always'.

Various caselaw on different regulations probably means this doesn't have to be every single time - but it must be nearly all the time.

northeastlass

Thankyou. Everything I do is preplanned and even then I don't always manage to do things I need to. The bit routine I had has gone to pot (hygiene,mealtimes) so I'm trying to get that in place again. Social engagement - I stated on the forms the difficulty I have around people/places and how my behaviour can be affected, mainly by withdrawing and avoiding so that I'm not horrible towards people. I feel the information I gave was completely ignored. I really do want to overcome the barriers I face each day but I can't concentrate and be consistent in overcoming them with worrying and trying to sort this out. Also, do I need to re apply for housing and council tax benefit or do I inform them that my benefit is changing over.

System

There is also the criteria of "if there is a serious risk to the mental or physical health of anybody of any person were the claiment found fit for work". So if you had evidence that explained why that applies to you it might be an option (i'm pretty sure this is the rule under which i've been previously awarded support group)

Newly_retired

At least you have been placed in a group where you do not have to look for work and will be given help and advice. You have not been told you are fit for work and will be put on Job Seekers. If you appeal there is a risk that you could get a worse decision than wrag. So I would only appeal if you have enough supporting evidence, medical reports, somebody to state your case with authority.