Aggoraphobic put in WRAG

Mary_Ellen

I suggest you ring the job centre, and ask if you can have an interview over the phone. Failing that, ask if you can have an interview in a separate interview room-you'll be able to take somebody with you. The initial interview is actually about 40 minutes long, though the letter says 'the interview could take up to an hour'.

Sometimes advisers will ask that you attend the 1st interview, and then continue with contact by phone-every few weeks or months, depending on what you agree with them.

The idea is to support you towards getting back into work, and you won't be expected to look for work. Your local job centre might have support available to help you improve your condition.

I hope this helps.

Bunnygirl

nannytone wrote: »

that isbt true. disability living allowance/PIP are totally different to ESA.
many peopke that receive DLA are in the WRAG and have to attend WFI's

Thanks I get SDA so I dont have to at the moment go to interviews

~Chameleon~

Bunnygirl wrote: »

I no the system has changed so not sure what you could claim for but I would look into some form of disability as mental illness is a disability. If you could claim then you would not have to go to the interview.

Not true! Still have to attend Work Focussed Interviews even when claiming highest rates of DLA!

OP you can request telephone interviews if you can't get into JC.

macma

I think I will try and phone the Jobcentre when they contact me.I feel it would be wrong to appeal as I'm sure they had all my details.I'm as I say confused that they understood I couldn't attend a medical,so they sent a doctor to my home,and yet they think I could attend interviews.I'm fortunate to have a smashing husband to help me get about and deal with all this,I shudder to think how others cope with all these changes.:(

mikey_bach

I can not begin to understand what life must be like not being able to come out of your home, it must be dreadful.
You mention your husband, are you claiming for him or is he working.
If working then you may be on ESA conts, in the WRAG you get just a year then your claim may close.
I would say think twice about not appealing the decision to put you in the WRAG if the above is the case.
If you claim for him then no worries

System

I think on MH ground the main support group criteria people would hit would be

You suffer from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement and consequently there would be a substantial risk
to the mental or physical health of any person (note - this includes yourself) if you were found not to have limited capability for
work.

. So if you felt that applied to you, and you have medical evidence that would back that up then you may be eleigible for the support group on those terms (you may also meet other criteria, but i'm just going on what i think that main MH descriptor is)

macma

mikey bach thankyou for your comments.My husband has a small (v small)pension,he was advised years ago to apply for carers allowance but frankly we live modestly and can manage very well.We have never claimed other benefits and my incapacity benefit followed sick pay from my job.I have a wonderful life really,I do get out with my husband albeit in the car or to our allotment which on good days is my "safe place" I've never been a great gad about and my precious grandchildren visit us so I count my glass more than half full
Just hope I can get this sorted without too much fuss.

benefitbaby

You really should consider an appeal as you appear to meet the criteria for the support group. Whilst you may initially be able to do your interviews over the phone you have to bear in mind that you could be entered into the work programme or be required to attend other health or work preparation courses - if you were in the support group you would not be mandated to do this.

I think you could argue that you meet regulation 35 of the ESA Regulations, this is almost identical to that posted by xxmessedupxx
but is about whether there would be a substantial risk to your health if you were required to undertake work-related activity. A 'substantial risk' could be a worsening of your health due to the increased anxiety and panic.

To appeal you would need to submit a GL24 appeal form and ideally a clear letter from your GP stating that work-related activity could pose a significant/substantial risk to your health ....

Very often reg 35 is completely overlooked by the decision makers.

mikey_bach

macma wrote: »

mikey bach thankyou for your comments.My husband has a small (v small)pension,he was advised years ago to apply for carers allowance but frankly we live modestly and can manage very well.We have never claimed other benefits and my incapacity benefit followed sick pay from my job.I have a wonderful life really,I do get out with my husband albeit in the car or to our allotment which on good days is my "safe place" I've never been a great gad about and my precious grandchildren visit us so I count my glass more than half full
Just hope I can get this sorted without too much fuss.

I know its a lot to comptemplate but you need to think about your future.
In a years time then your Esa Conts Wrag will run out to go onto the ESA IB they will need to know about your husband small pension etc.
Its a shame that you dont think you can take up benefits that you are clearly entitled to. If your husband can claim CA then I say claim it.
It will not effect your ESA and CA is not means tested so his pension will not be taken into effect.
In a years time if he applies and if your ESA stops he can claim IS for you both if you meet the conditions eg capital.

I wish you well Macma what ever you decide

I like your glass half full attitude very much

System

benefitbaby wrote: »

You really should consider an appeal as you appear to meet the criteria for the support group. Whilst you may initially be able to do your interviews over the phone you have to bear in mind that you could be entered into the work programme or be required to attend other health or work preparation courses - if you were in the support group you would not be mandated to do this.

I think you could argue that you meet regulation 35 of the ESA Regulations, this is almost identical to that posted by xxmessedupxx
but is about whether there would be a substantial risk to your health if you were required to undertake work-related activity. A 'substantial risk' could be a worsening of your health due to the increased anxiety and panic.

To appeal you would need to submit a GL24 appeal form and ideally a clear letter from your GP stating that work-related activity could pose a significant/substantial risk to your health ....

Very often reg 35 is completely overlooked by the decision makers.

Oops forgot the work related activity bit