Esa wrag to support group

recoverydust

My friend is in esa wrag contributory for mental health - bipolar. They are doing very badly, health wise and her contrive end in October. Their cpn has said that this can be changed by some process involving their psychiatrist filling in forms or appealing.

I thought this was time limited and should have been done at the outset.... Anyone?
Thank you

nannytone_2

if their condition has worsened, then it wouldnt be an appeal of the original decision, but a supersession ( change of circumstances).

the sypport group is notoriously had to get into though, with only the most severly disabled/seriously ill people getting into ut.

Muttleythefrog

Yes.. she'll need to make a case for supercession... i.e. redetermination of entitlement based on changed health. I'm not entirely sure of the formal process for getting supercession and DWP staff on the phone seem to give some glorious answers in response. Otherwise she can appeal the WRAG decision but usually only within a month of that decision being given... late appeal would have to be made with 'good cause' for being late.

To get into Support group obviously you need to convince that the criteria is met... so focus on the descriptors for Support Group (or special circs criteria that qualifies for S. gp) in whatever ensues... including with regards psychiatrist documentary evidence/support.

There is another consideration.... when is she next due for reassessment? It may be that she can make her case at that time for Support Gp. Reassessment timing is usually determined by the ATOS prognosis... that'll be in the most recent report that likely will exist... either ESA85 or ESA85A depending upon whether face to face medical was conducted or not... respectively.

recoverydust

the plot thickens, she has now had a new form for esa arrive this morning
thank you for those who are replying
it is so very helpful
someone on another post had some very good links, but stuff moves fast here for me
anyone know what they are?

Muttleythefrog

Presumably it's an ESA50 form... so either they've sent one for her to communicate her new circumstances and problems (which it seems they sometimes do where a supercession may be appropriate) or she is due reassessment.
http://www.rethink.org/document.rm?id=10911
is a decent general link with advice on filling in MH sections. Link has descriptors in too.