Wrag work group but can't manage.

mojos.revenge

My friend suffers with severe arthritis, most days she can barely move.
After a medical she was put in the WRAG group. She has been told to attend a work related course, or she will lose benefits. (Not sure of the details.)
She has trouble walking some days, and rarely uses public transport as she lives in a village where transport links are limited, her nearest bus stop is a difficult walk away.
She has told the JS staff over the phone of her problems, and of her concerns but they are unsympathetic. They seem to think she is trying it on, which I suppose is understandable as some people do.
I have watched her in shreds this week, fearful of what will happen. I have said that I will give her a lift on days I can, but I work so that would be limited.
She does not have internet access so I decided, with her consent to ask on here.
She is 58, and was medically retired from her previous job 18 months ago.
Advice welcome. Thanks.

flight747

Why isn't she appeal for support group then ?

iluvmarmite

I was put in the WRAG and did give it a try but it was too much for me and the 3 hour group sessions were unbearable, I decided to appeal after being in the group for 8 months and the lady at the DWP said I was to inform my JS adviser that I had appealed and it would be down to her wether I still had to go to the job center for my appointments.

My adviser was very nice and said from now on she would do sessions over the phone and via email to save me going into the center and that way I wouldn't get sanctioned.

Muttleythefrog

Unfortunately they can ask her to do what is reasonable and can be classified under that banner of 'Work related activity' which WRAG members can be asked to engage. Is appealling an option... to get into Support group... check the descriptors... appeals typically need to be made within a month of receiving the decision.. but late appeals can be accepted if good cause shown. The other option would be to perhaps get a letter from doctor saying this activity would be injurous or similar to her... something she could then relay to her personal advisor at jobcentre i nthe hope they'll reconsider what is approipriate WRA for her to engage.

sunnyone

mojos.revenge wrote: »

My friend suffers with severe arthritis, most days she can barely move.
After a medical she was put in the WRAG group. She has been told to attend a work related course, or she will lose benefits. (Not sure of the details.)
She has trouble walking some days, and rarely uses public transport as she lives in a village where transport links are limited, her nearest bus stop is a difficult walk away.
She has told the JS staff over the phone of her problems, and of her concerns but they are unsympathetic. They seem to think she is trying it on, which I suppose is understandable as some people do.
I have watched her in shreds this week, fearful of what will happen. I have said that I will give her a lift on days I can, but I work so that would be limited.
She does not have internet access so I decided, with her consent to ask on here.
She is 58, and was medically retired from her previous job 18 months ago.
Advice welcome. Thanks.

Is she seeing a pain managment specialist?

What type of arthritis?

There are so many treatments for arthritis today, I have three types of arthritis and with combination therapies and a pain managment regime they are the least of my troubles most of the time.

mojos.revenge

She has Osteoarthritis in hip, knees and other issues. She is a larger lady due to lack of exercise I suspect.
She takes a lot of painkillers. Her Dr did write a letter to ATOS originally. Her medical results were received in October, so I will suggest she appeals, but I don't quite know what else to suggest to her.
The JS staff seem very unhelpful, she is not forceful enough to be honest, I would offer to ring on her behalf, but I doubt they would speak to me.