help on dwp/esa

blackcat2010

hi,
wondering if anyone can help me with some advice.

i recently attended an atos medical for esa, i wrote to the dwp a couple of days after having the medical to ask for a copy of the medical report as i have heard the atos medical reports are sometimes not entirely true. I didnt hear anything back from the dwp but i then received my decision letter to say i have been placed in the work group.
I have since then wrote again to request a copy of the report plus the decision makers reasons and still have yet to hear anything back even acknoledgment of my request.

1. Do i still need to continue to supply doctors notes to the dwp? I cant seem to find this info anywhere.

2. is it normal for the dwp not to send a copy of the medical report, (or for it to be this hard to get) would it be easier to call and request one? i thought it needed to be requested in writing though?

3. I wish to question the decision to put me into the work group but as i have yet to receive the report and decision makers notes, do i just send in a general i dont agree with your decision letter before the month deadline to make sure i get something in and then build my argument once i have received my report? i have about a week left now until the month deadline is up and i dont think i will receive the report before this, going on the way the dwp seemed to have been so far.

4. also i assume i need to attend the work interviews even if i am going to appeal the decision? and if so has anyone had one before what sort of things will happen, will it just be a talk at the first meeting?

5. also what is the best way to appeal? in writing by some trackable posting means? the way dwp have been in not even acknoledging my letters makes me worry if they will just ignore the appeal letter as well?

thanks in advance for reading and for any help.

Ellejmorgan

You don't need to attend interviews only work focused interviews you don't have to get a job..

Why are you appealing it's good you are in the WRAG, unless you are seriously ill you won't get in the support group..

blackcat2010

thanks i meant the work group interviews that the dwp request you to attend if you are in the work support group for esa, i have my first one coming up soon.

i suffer from epilepsy which as of yet is uncontrolled through my medication and i suffer several seizures per week. I wanted to see how the decision maker used the medical report and also what the medical report also said as well.

salfordgirl

Apply straight away in writing, using form GL24 if you can.

Ring and ask them for a written statement of reasons asking them why you have been placed in WRAG.

Just as a side note, just because you are in the WRAG does not mean that you will be expected to find a job straightaway, its more about what support can they give you to be able to work at somepoint in the future.

Ellejmorgan

These interviews can be done on the phone if you are ill..
you will not get in the support group with epilepsy, sorry but it won't..
I have been in the WRAG 3 years you don't have to do anything except these interview which are far easier than fighting to get in the support group..
There are people in the support group who are assessed again 6 months later and then put in the WRAG, it's a waste of time and energy..
They are not saying you have to get a job I promise so please don't think they are..

I know someone on this forum who has just had cancer, had part of his pelvis removed and his leg, he's in the WRAG..

I've have a serious back surgery, am waiting for my 3rd op, my condition is degenerative and i have arthritis, i can't write, or walk sometimes, my lower back, neck, arms and legs are affected and i'm still in the WRAG..

So many complaints have been made against atos because it's so hard to even get in the WRAG they have the bar raised so high it's a joke..

Apply for DLA though if you haven't already because you may get lucky there..

Muttleythefrog

I'll try to answer... I'm assuming the letter you received is correct and is a decision to place you in WRAG. (Bank account payments are always good confirmation of decisions..lol.. letters aren't always sent.. and sent ones aren't always correct).

1. If you've been placed in WRAG you will not need to continue to supply sick notes as you've been assessed 'properly' for the benefit now and been placed in the main phase.

2. Yes. As I understand it any evidence and probably statement of reasons all need to be requested. You should be able to make such requests over the phone.

3. Yes.. this is often advised... complete GL24 form to appeal or send letter requesting appeal against decision x of date y. What you can say is that as you've not got the evidence used to take the decision yet you can't fully give details... but they will be forthcoming... along with anything else you might add like supporting medical evidence.

4. The back to work interviews I get the impression can be pretty laid back. Sometimes they can be done over the phone if medically required. But they won't force you to do anything.. other than turn up..lol. (There is of course the possibility of Work Programme however in WRAG.. but again they wouldn't force you to seek or take work or medical treatments). I spent mine talking about the football..lol.. but it was years ago.

5. Yes things can go missing and the DWP have often slow admin of post it seems. So yes.. take precautions if you can and contact them until they confirm they've received your appeal request.

They will carry out an automatic reconsideration (probably will take several weeks) to see if they can change decision before sending papers off to tribunals service to arrange appeal.

You are effectively going to be arguing that at least one Support Group descriptor applies in your case (or special circumstances criteria for Support Gp are met) and I would advise really targetting your efforts in demonstrating that... perhaps even getting a medical pro to write something useful which is very specific in relation to such a descriptor. On the other hand you may feel you meet no S.G descriptors and if so then you may be best advised to accept the WRAG decision.

[Deleted User]

OP nothing i have seen or heard would suggest that epilepsy would put you in the support group,and i dont expect it to put me there either

HB58

Whilst epilepy per se does not meet suport group criteria, incontinence does - and many people are incontinent during seizures, so this might be one avenue to explore.

You will be obliged to co-operate with the work Focussed Interviews, but you cannot be compelled to take part in the Work Program while awaiting the results of your appeal.

exarmydreamer

Hi, I've been put in the WRAG, I got the letter yesterday. I can barely walk and can't use my wheelchair by myself as I have upper body problems etc. Could someone confirm, how often are the meetings and can they be done by phone if necessary, as I don't even see my GP face to face because I can't get myself to the surgery. Thank you.

HB58

I don't think the frequency of the interviews is fixed, it seems to be up to each area and each adviser. I received my first appointment letter just 2 days after my decision! Some areas will defer the WFIs while the claimant is appealing, but I think this is the exception rather than the rule. When the appointment arrives, there is a number to ring to request that the interviews are held over the phone. I don't think they have to comply with this request, but I believe that they often do.

blackcat2010

Hi


thanks everyone for taking the time to read and answer some of my questions.


I just tried to phone the dwp, I was on hold for around 30 mis to then be answered by a woman who didn't even acknowledge me but to say that they are unable to access any information on their databases due to a national technical fault and to call back in an hour and then she cut me off! So looks like ill have to try again in an hour.


I am going to try again on the phone and this time ask for the medical report and written statement of reasons for putting me into the wrag group.


Ive checked my letter and it does say I have been placed in wrag and what the new rates I receive per week will be.


I didn't realize that I might be able to have my work focused interview over the telephone. Its actually tomorrow and with the way the dwp are over the phone with the fault not sure if I will be able to change this now so late in the day. I had to ask someone to take time off work to come with me, because how my seizures have been recently and to have it over the phone would have been easier. I checked my appointment letter I received and it doesn't suggest telephone options, but it does say if you are unable to attend there might be alternative arrangements, but I took that as a home visit or just to rearrange the interview and to be honest I'm not too kean on having people (especially dwp) around my house.


I'm going to write a letter this afternoon to say I wish to appeal and that I am awaiting the report and statement of reasons. I will have a look at the descriptors for support group as well as suggested to me to see if any apply to me and if so will try and get medical evidence to back it up.


Does anyone have a quick link to the support group descriptors and how they differ to wrag, I remember seeing something similar on this forum earlier but cant seem to find it at the moment.


Many thanks