IB to ESA Support Group short award

Druagh

Hi all, my wife got her IB to ESA decision last week. Support group without any medical. So far so good. However, she has now noticed that the amounts page gives a final date of 28th Novmber 2012!
The chap I spoke to at DWP didn't seem to be clued up on Support Group stufff. Has anyone else had such an apparently short award? Or has anyone a guess as to what is going on?

Cpt.Scarlet

If the November date is on the decision letter, then it is unlikely to be the date when they will next be assessed, this is normally determined by the prognosis on her ESA85 if she had a medical or the ESA85A if she didn't.

You can request this from your local DWP office over the phone.

Muttleythefrog

The dates on these letters can often be nonsensical... be of no meaning at all or be misleading. In fact from memory some of mine indicate payments for only a week period... I've been on ESA continually for over 3 years. As she's in the Support group any considerations regarding time limited contribution based ESA in WRAG is not currently relevant.. so the date doesn't apply to that matter.

Reassessment on ESA is typically in the range 6 to 24 months I understand although it could be shorter or longer. Usually the DWP use the prognosis given by ATOS HC to determine the reassessment timing. Now as she didn't have a face to face medical then there won't be a medical report ESA85. However there should be an ESA85A ATOS report which is less comprehensive (perhaps one or two pages) and this will indicate how ATOS felt she qualified for Support Group (assuming as usual the DWP decided to rubber stamp the ATOS advice) and give a prognosis. The wording of that prognosis will take the form probably of 'a return to work could be considered in x months'. I strongly suggest you call the DWP and request this ESA85A if it exists.

And to confirm... Support Group is the 'more disabled' of the 2 ESA groups (WRAG being the 'lesser disabled' one) and she won't be required to take part in any compulsory work related activities while in the Support Group.

Druagh

Thank you both for your replies, we are much reieved!

I`ll call about the ESA85a tomorrow.

jonliv

I had this last year..... I was told when I called that it is to do with the extra £10 you get as a cold weather payment when you are in the ESA Support Group

It is just to ensure that the £10 is paid so-to-speak a reminder for the DWP

My money carried on as before after November

HB58

There are two dates that frequently come up in these letters - those being April and November. They both seem to have something to do with DWP systems and do not indicate when you will be reassessed (which is not normally stated on the decision letter).

glitter58

Hi this is a relief to me as well as my letter also said it applies until 28th November 2012,hope this is just something to do with the admin side as suggested.

kofi100

hiya i got my letter 2 weeks ago been put in support group from august to november 2012, which i thought was a short time !!
when i foned the dwp said that it didnt mean anything about your dates ot how long your put on support group, i rang them and found out im on support group for 3 years
and got my esa85a today after ringing dwp for it it took just under 2 weeks to arrive and it says unlikley to return to work in longer term,