ESA - WRAG to Support Group

recoverydust

I would, at the earliest opportunity contact your friend's MP by email, put the situation as you have hear and copy the excellent description of the WCA. People need to know what a weapon of torture this process is for those of us with mental health issues. On other forums I read that many people get very quick results from MPs - especially Tory ones who are keen to show the system works for those who "really " need it.

There is a High Court case coming up challenging the WCA under either human rights of equality legislation for people with mental health issues.

Next I would gather letters from everyone who has professional or voluntary contact with your friend and ensure she had adequate support.

She needs to know that hundreds of people are suffering like her and there is no shame, she needs to focus on staying well and letting their silly game unroll. Going into hospital may not be her worst option if she is really not coping.

she is blessed to have you
peace be

nicky
xxx

zippy1969

trastor wrote: »

Most of the posters have missed one important point.

Changing the time may have nothing to do with overbooking but more to do with demonstrating that the claimant can cope with change at short notice?

Yes, this crossed my mind too. When they called my friend gave the phone to me when she got flustered. I immediately thought exactly as you have...and was on the ball. I asked why they wanted us there earlier? I was told that the recording equipment was needed elsewhere. I immediately informed the caller (a receptionist) of my friends issues regarding changes to her routine at short notice. I asked why, since the appointment had been booked for 2 weeks, why didn't they call earlier? I explained it was unfair and unprofessional, given my friends history, that they should call her at 12:30 and expect her to get there at 1:30...2hrs 15mins earlier than her scheduled time. I shifted the emphasis onto their apparent lack of planning regarding their appointments and their inability to assess the effect their call might have on my friend, given the information they possess.

They could never use this situation to highlight the inability of my friend to change her routine. If they wanted to do that they would have had to just ask her to attend earlier and not give a reason. They gave a reason. If it transpired that this was a 'ruse' to try and catch my friend out, then this would demonstrate even more damning evidence regarding the WCA. It would demonstrate dishonesty, and above all...malpractice.

zippy1969

recoverydust wrote: »

There is a High Court case coming up challenging the WCA under either human rights of equality legislation for people with mental health issues.

Do you have any details regarding this? I have often wondered if anyone would make a challenge to the legitimacy of the WCA through the courts. A link to the story would be great.

My feeling has always been that there is already an organisation in place that can carry out WCA's...it's called the NHS. If the government have faith in the NHS then they should abide by GP's decisions. If they don't, then they should come out and say it..."we have no faith in the ability of the NHS to competently assess an individuals fitness to work." By utilizing ATOS to carry out WCA's...this is what they are basically saying.

It will be the same debacle when PIP's come into force.

rogerblack

trastor wrote: »

Why is it so vital to get the correct decision at the start? There are procedures that allow the DWP to change the decision - reconsideration & the appeal Tribunal.
Surely it is best to wait to see what the outcome is before going all guns blazing which may not be needed?

I totally, utterly disagree.
The basic starting position is that the initial decision is right, unless there are positive reasons it's wrong.
Supplying more evidence can help of course to overturn a decision - but at best this will delay the decision not to award benefit by 4-6 weeks.
A tribunal may take over a year!

Even if you can get the right result eventually, why would you want to spend what may amount to a year going through the process?

It is perhaps illuminating that there are _no_ quality checks as you might expect on decisionmakers - that multiple people go over the same case with no prior knowledge and compare their results.
The only scrutiny done is to review decisions knowing the outcome, and see if they are clearly wrong.

This obviously sets a rather different mindset.

zippy1969

Just an update.

My friend received a call from DWP yesterday. After going through the usual security, she was then told that she has now been moved from the 'WRAG' and placed in the 'Support Group' following her assessment and after considering the information supplied by her GP.

She will remain in this group for two years and during this time will not be called for further WCA's or WFI's at the Jobcentre. She will receive an extra £6 per week. She has been told a confirmation letter will be sent soon.

I've been to see her today and the sense of relief is palpable. She's a lot less anxious, slept a little better last night and actually has a bit of an appetite now.

So you can beat this ludicrous system if you persevere. God knows what would have happened if I hadn't been able to support her through this? She belongs in the 'Support Group' and can now concentrate on trying to get herself well and hopefully pull herself out of the dark place she's been in.

Justice has been done and common sense has prevailed.

Muttleythefrog

zippy1969 wrote: »

Just an update.

My friend received a call from DWP yesterday. After going through the usual security, she was then told that she has now been moved from the 'WRAG' and placed in the 'Support Group' following her assessment and after considering the information supplied by her GP.

She will remain in this group for two years and during this time will not be called for further WCA's or WFI's at the Jobcentre. She will receive an extra £6 per week. She has been told a confirmation letter will be sent soon.

I've been to see her today and the sense of relief is palpable. She's a lot less anxious, slept a little better last night and actually has a bit of an appetite now.

So you can beat this ludicrous system if you persevere. God knows what would have happened if I hadn't been able to support her through this? She belongs in the 'Support Group' and can now concentrate on trying to get herself well and hopefully pull herself out of the dark place she's been in.

Justice has been done and common sense has prevailed.

Ah great news. Some relief eh. 2 years is towards the upper end of the scale so a good result. Make sure to get hold of the medical report though... could be useful at that next reassessment.

zippy1969

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Ah great news. Some relief eh. 2 years is towards the upper end of the scale so a good result. Make sure to get hold of the medical report though... could be useful at that next reassessment.

Thanks...and thanks too for all your sensible and measured advice. It's sometimes hard to see things clearly when you're so closely involved.

Yes...we'll get hold of the report once the confirmation letter has arrived.

I'll be honest, I'm relieved too. All of this has got on top of me at times.