Esa wrag

nannytone_2

then you really need to start gaining evidence to back up your support group claim.
as has already been said, you need to look at the support group descriptors and see which ones may be relevant to you and start gathering evidence to support this claim

tubzy2001

Thank you very much

Morglin

In the meantime, make sure you attend any and all interviews etc., the JCP tell you to.

If you don't, they will stop paying.

Lin

tubzy2001

I will as I don't want to be sanctioned

TOBRUK

tubzy2001 wrote: »

I was placed into the work related activity group and was under a company called Prospects for 2 years, they called me once a fortnight to see how I was and if there was any changes, it was a waste of time as I gave them the same answer every week.

I have had a letter to attend the Jobcentre this month to see how they can help me get back into work now I have finished with Prospects, I really don't know what they expect me to do seeing as I am no where near ready for work, do not go anywhere without my carer and hardly go out as it is, why the didn't place me in the support group ill never know, I was awarded DLA middle care and low mobility until Oct 2017 so its proof that I am unable to work for a while.
I don't need all this stress and to feel pressured into all this.

Hi Tubzy, You have been given good advice from all the above and should take note. As they have stated you have no choice but to attend any interview by the job centre when you are in the work group. You say you have a live in carer, and as that is the case you take them with you (they are being paid by you) to any interview or course etc.

One thing I don't understand as you say you could not see why you were not placed in the 'ESA support group' is WHY DIDN'T YOU APPEAL AGAINST THIS DECISION WHEN YOU RECEIVED THEIR DECISION?? In the decision letter you are given the chance to 'disagree with their decison' and are given a month to do so - this is what I did.

When you attend an interview at the jobcentre you will have a chat with the disabled employment advisor there (that is what I had) and it is nothing to worry about. At the time of my interview, although I had already appealed against their decision placing me in the work group, but I still had to attend the interview at this time.

tinkledom

tubzy2001 wrote: »

I understand that but I have severe PTSD Depression and Anxiety to start with and I cannot deal with any work or courses

I too have PTSD, as well as other associated psychiatric problems.
Mine have been on going since 1995.
I am assessed by the DWP as 40% disabled just for these conditions alone.
But I am not entitled to HRC, only MRC.

I have even spent time under section in a secure unit - but that carries no weight either for an ESA or DLA claim.

As for ESA, I am in the Support Group but it has nothing to do with my mental health (I never even mentioned it on the ESA claim form!) That award is entirely down the problems I have due to another illness/condition - the only one of many that the GP wrote on my sicknote. I used the best illness/condition that I thought would give me the best chance of being awarded ESA.

I doubt very much that if I had just described the mental health problem instead of picking on the one I notified them of, I too would be in the Work Group.


Mental health problems that stop you from working are difficult to prove, it is easier to prove that they exist and not how they affect you.

Morglin

Mental health issues can result in SG placement, and many people, with just mental health problems, have been placed there.

If the descriptors have been met (the new ones), it needn't be a problem.

Lin :wall:

tinkledom

Morglin wrote: »

Mental health issues can result in SG placement, and many people, with just mental health problems, have been placed there.

If the descriptors have been met (the new ones), it needn't be a problem.

Lin :wall:

Maybe but it is one heck of a job trying to prove the link between the relevant Support Group descriptor and the deemed effects of the mental health condition.


It's no good saying that you have a mental health problem and handing over a letter from the psychiatrist confirming that to be the case AND proving your argument for the SG. Even the discharge letter from the 'lock up' isn't enough.

Morglin

If you have evidence that you fit one of the descriptors for SG, whether physical or mental, then you should be placed in SG.

If you are not, then that us what the appeal system is for.

Lin

tinkledom

Morglin wrote: »

If you have evidence that you fit one of the descriptors for SG, whether physical or mental, then you should be placed in SG.

If you are not, then that us what the appeal system is for.

Lin

Well said.


It is vital to produce evidence to prove the link between the choice of descriptor and the stated difficulty.


Any other evidence including that which merely confirms the diagnosis or the difficulty, is of little value.