ESA - Been put in work-related activity group - advice?

93123

Do I still need to get fit notes from my doctor? I have my first appointment with a personal adviser on 20th August, what happens after that? How long am I expected to receive ESA now?

Thanks!

rogerblack

You do not need to send fitnotes, while you are in the work-related group.
You may need to send them if you later appeal a decision you are not entitled.
Sometime in the future, you will get another form in the post, and be expected likely to go through the assessment procedure again.
You should probably at this point phone up, and ask for a copy of the medical report, and a 'written statement of reasons' explaining the decision.
The medical report will contain a 'prognosis' - which may be the length of your award.
If you are arguably in the support group, then you have one month to submit an appeal in writing. (this extends by at least two weeks if you get the statement of reasons)

If your partner is working, or you have substantial savings, then your contributory ESA will be limited to 1 year in the WRAG, after which you will not be paid, if you don't qualify for income-related at the end of that period.

93123

Thanks. I'm on income-related. I don't know how long I'll receive it for.

Another question: Will I get it until I get a job or will they make me go on JSA at any time? I only ask because I'm moving out in a couple of weeks and would probably struggle on the basic JSA rate (£56pw)...

Muttleythefrog

93123 wrote: »

Thanks. I'm on income-related. I don't know how long I'll receive it for.

Another question: Will I get it until I get a job or will they make me go on JSA at any time? I only ask because I'm moving out in a couple of weeks and would probably struggle on the basic JSA rate (£56pw)...

If you're getting income related ESA you'll get it indefinitely provided you continue to 'pass' your reassessments (i.e. get placed in WRAG or Support Group). The timing of the next reassessment is likely to coincide with the prognosis given in the medical report created by ATOS... and as above I strongly recommend you get a copy from the DWP. Obviously if you start work then you probably won't be able to continue getting ESA.. you can sometimes do permitted work on ESA. Should you at some point in future fail the WCA and therefore be found 'fit for work' then you could appeal... while awaiting appeal you could continue to get basic rate ESA usually with sicknotes until that appeal is dealt with.