received phone call from DWP after having ESA medical now what??

caris

I have received my phone call from DWP after having my ESA medical 2 weeks ago. They have told me I will be put on to ESA in August and will be called for another medical in 18 months. I have been placed in the WRAG. She said my paperwork will be in the post.

Does this mean I will stay on the ESA payments for 18 months of will it stop after 12 months? I have been transfered from IB. If it stops will I have to reapply for benefit or will I not be entitled due to my hsband working ft.

Does being placed in the WRAG mean I have to get a job now?

Thanks in advance for any constructive replies, I am totalttly confused with the whole change over.

nannytone_2

all it means that you will be reassessed WITHIN 19 months. could be anything from 3 months to 18 months, but is most likely to be nearer the 18 month perioyou dont have to get a job, but have to attend 'work focused interview'. theyre not too bad. just a chat really, seeing what you may be able to acheive in the future

Torry_Quine

Although you have been assessed as being eligible for the next 18 months that doesn't mean you will necessarily get money. As you are in the WRAG then you are entitled to contribution based for only one year and after that it will be income based which you won't get as your husband works. You will still be credited with NI contributions towards your state pension.

rogerblack

caris wrote: »

Does this mean I will stay on the ESA payments for 18 months of will it stop after 12 months? I have been transfered from IB. If it stops will I have to reapply for benefit or will I not be entitled due to my hsband working ft.

You need to work out if you have possible grounds for an appeal to be placed in the support group.
First thing you should probably do tomorrow is to call them and request a copy of the medical, and a 'written statemement of reasons' on the decision.
This can let you then consider if you want to appeal - the decision can go against you removing the existing award too.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/m-06-11.pdf look at 'annex B' from page 13 on - this is a list of the support group descriptors.
If you consider it's likely you may meet one or more of these, and that you are unlikely to lose your existing award on appeal, then appealing would be a good idea.

In addition - if your condition worsens after the 12 months, even in the work-related group, which would mean you wouldn't be paid due t your husbands income - and you become entitled to the support group, your payments would resume.

nannytone_2

roger .... a while ago you posted new criteria for vlind/ deaf people. i had a reassessment a few weeks ago and didnt have a medical. i was placed in the WRAG again with a reassessment within 24 months.
to be honest, im not too concerned with the group im in because i want to finbd a job anyway. but if the new guidlines you posted are correct, then the DWP arent paying attention to them!