ESA support group criteria

butthead26

The thread i was closely following seems to have disappeared so maybe someone can tell me what exactly is the criteria for getting in the support group? I have seen the form that awards points for various things but nobody seems to know what would qualify a claimant to be accepted into the support group rather than the WRAG.

Chorlie

Some reading that should explain everything you need to know....

http://www.dls.org.uk/advice/factsheet/welfare_benefits/employment%20support%20allowance/Employment%20Support%20Allowance%20-After%2028th%20March%202011.pdf


http://www.dls.org.uk/advice/factsheet/welfare_benefits/employment%20support%20allowance/Employment%20Support%20Allowance%20Appeal%20%20Decisions.pdf

MrsManda

If you download the 'A guide to ESA - the Work Capability Assessment' document from the direct.gov website here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172012

Or open the .pdf directly by clicking on this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_177366.pdf

the information you want is on pages 10, 11 and from page 24.

Unlike being put into WRAG where you need at least 15 points to qualify, the Support Group (Limited Capability for Work Related Activity) doesn't have a points system.
Instead you need to fit one or more of the descriptors (page 24 onwards) or special circumstances (page 10-11).

Muttleythefrog

butthead26 wrote: »

The thread i was closely following seems to have disappeared so maybe someone can tell me what exactly is the criteria for getting in the support group? I have seen the form that awards points for various things but nobody seems to know what would qualify a claimant to be accepted into the support group rather than the WRAG.

To be honest it couldn't be simpler.... you have to meet a support group descriptor or meet special circumstance criteria for support group.

Refer to above references.

The simplest way to think about it is that the Work Capability Assessment has two tests. The first test is to see if you have limited capability for work (17 categories of descriptors each with associated points.. a total of 15 points of more qualifies you for WRAG.. at least). The second test is to see if you have limited capability for work related activity (several categories of descriptors and if any one or more applies then you qualify for support group). In addition there are some special circumstance criteria to catch those who may otherwise fail the WCA but who it would be undesirable to expect them to engage work or work related activity.

butthead26

Thanks everyone. I was very suspicious about ESA as people on Chemo are being put in the work group and i heard only 5% are put in the support group.

1ofseven

Hi,
can someone please help me? I was assessed as being able to claim work related esa last september, this benefit is sue to end in May.
I have been told I cannot appeal because I have left it too long. This was the first time I had applied for any benefit and did not understand the system. Also, the day before the medical a close relative had committed suicide and I was very very distressed.
If they won't let me appeal on time grounds what can I do. I have been told I was put into the work related group because they were unsure how my illness would progress. I have a degenerative joint condition. If the benefit stops, can I reapply? When would I be able to reapply? Please help.
regards

anguk

I've read the links and they've helped but there's one thing that still confuses me. What is the difference between Limited Capability For Work and Limited Capability For Work related Activity? I'm guessing one is WRAG and one is Support but which is which?

I'm trying to work out if my husband is likely to be put in WRAG or Support, he has a condition which is listed in the "Special Circumstances" section on page10/11. It says:
"There are circumstances in which a claimant will be treated as having limited capability for work. Where possible, Jobcentre Plus will try to identify such claimants without the need for a medical assessment. Claimants would be treated as having limited capability for work in the following instances:"

So does that mean he wouldn't need a medical assessment but may be put in WRAG or does it mean he would be put in Support?

Muttleythefrog

anguk wrote: »

I've read the links and they've helped but there's one thing that still confuses me. What is the difference between Limited Capability For Work and Limited Capability For Work related Activity? I'm guessing one is WRAG and one is Support but which is which?

I'm trying to work out if my husband is likely to be put in WRAG or Support, he has a condition which is listed in the "Special Circumstances" section on page10/11. It says:
"There are circumstances in which a claimant will be treated as having limited capability for work. Where possible, Jobcentre Plus will try to identify such claimants without the need for a medical assessment. Claimants would be treated as having limited capability for work in the following instances:"

So does that mean he wouldn't need a medical assessment but may be put in WRAG or does it mean he would be put in Support?

Limited capability for work is the test for qualification for WRAG.
Limited capability for work related activity is the test for qualification for Support Gp.
(ESA is set up such that if you are found to have limited capability for work but not limited capability for work related activity then you could engage work related activities such as work focussed interviews and whatever schemes crazy governments come up with that they would say help you in the direction of a return to work).

Regarding your second question, WRAG.... if they accept he qualifies for special circs that mean he is determined automatically to have limited capability for work then that means put into the WRAG (unless Support Group criteria is also found to be met in which case it is support gp). There are some special circs that qualify you for WRAG and some for Support grp... and you should read those that say 'treated as having limited cap. for work' as WRAG qualification and those that say 'treated as having LCWRA' as qualification for Support Gp.

Boots888

Interesting stats from this site, should be of interest to some.

http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1512&sid=72ee6868d83c92fe017e035590a924fe

anguk

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Limited capability for work is the test for qualification for WRAG.
Limited capability for work related activity is the test for qualification for Support Gp.
(ESA is set up such that if you are found to have limited capability for work but not limited capability for work related activity then you could engage work related activities such as work focussed interviews and whatever schemes crazy governments come up with that they would say help you in the direction of a return to work).

Regarding your second question, WRAG.... if they accept he qualifies for special circs that mean he is determined automatically to have limited capability for work then that means put into the WRAG (unless Support Group criteria is also found to be met in which case it is support gp). There are some special circs that qualify you for WRAG and some for Support grp... and you should read those that say 'treated as having limited cap. for work' as WRAG qualification and those that say 'treated as having LCWRA' as qualification for Support Gp.

Thank you so much, it's the first time I've actually understood it! :T

From what I gather he should be determined automatically to have limited capability for work because of the special circumstances (he has dialysis 3 times a week in hospital), he does also score a lot more than 15 points on the limited capability for work test.

I've also had a look at the "treated as having LCWRA" and he does meet one of those descriptors too. So he should really be in the support group but we'll just have to see what they say when he's finally transferred over. We haven't heard anything about the transfer yet so we don't know when it's going to happen.

anguk

Boots888 wrote: »

Interesting stats from this site, should be of interest to some.

http://thefullfacts.com/esa/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1512&sid=72ee6868d83c92fe017e035590a924fe

According to that 53% of claimants are found to be fit for work and no longer eligible for ESA. :eek:

It's a shame there's no stats for the appeals, I'd be interested to see how many of those 53% had their claim re-instated on appeal.