ESA moved from support group to WRAG

Daisychains

I really don't think I can face the appeal. If push comes to shove and they force me into really regular appointments or courses etc and won't accept how ill I am I will just sign off and try and live off my small amount of savings from when I was working.

I definitely don't think I'm over qualified, but when I was on JSA I did so many courses and was at working links for about 2 years, then I did 4 months volunteering and 8 months working full time for DWP on the phones, so my work history isn't too bad so I'm hoping they'll see this and not try and force me into voluntary work.

Tbh im so close to ringing them and saying id rather kill my self than attend the job centre but I've not completely lost the plot just yet so I'll be patient and see what happens and if they contact me or not and how reasonable they are towards me if they do.

Phone interviews are my only option really unless it was arranged when the person I trust can take me at a quiet time. There's a smaller job centre quite near me which I could
Possibly cope with as I have been there before a while ago and remember it being quiet. We'll see

Thanks x

micky2phones

Daisychains wrote: »

I really don't think I can face the appeal. If push comes to shove and they force me into really regular appointments or courses etc and won't accept how ill I am I will just sign off and try and live off my small amount of savings from when I was working.

I definitely don't think I'm over qualified, but when I was on JSA I did so many courses and was at working links for about 2 years, then I did 4 months volunteering and 8 months working full time for DWP on the phones, so my work history isn't too bad so I'm hoping they'll see this and not try and force me into voluntary work.

Tbh im so close to ringing them and saying id rather kill my self than attend the job centre but I've not completely lost the plot just yet so I'll be patient and see what happens and if they contact me or not and how reasonable they are towards me if they do.

Phone interviews are my only option really unless it was arranged when the person I trust can take me at a quiet time. There's a smaller job centre quite near me which I could
Possibly cope with as I have been there before a while ago and remember it being quiet. We'll see

Thanks x

Hi, im on ESA in WRAG group and i was told that im too ill to work or look for work but have to attend courses and interviews.

I missed a phone call which turned out to be from JC and got a letter asking to go in and see them.

When i went in they said i was phoned 3 times and as no reply a letter was sent out.

They just wanted to see if i was ok, they will phone me in July this is about 3/4 months since i last went in.

This is my WFI im led to believe

Daisychains

That's really reassuring to know. Thank you

Alice_Holt

Daisychains - Just a quick question. Are you getting Contribution or Income Based ESa?

I ask as CB Esa is limited to 365 days when you are in the WRAG. If in the SG then CB-ESa continues to be paid.

In the WRAG after the 365 days of CB ESa, you are then assessed for IB ESa.
If you have a partner who works more than 24hrs, or if you have capital of more than £16k, you would not be eligible for IB- ESa.

This may be worth considering before ruling out an appeal.

Daisychains

Hi,

Thanks for the info, I am on income related. They've given me a 18 month prognosis though so I'm guessing it will just stay the same for that time unless they call me back early for reassessment x

Bananas123

appeal / tribunal is just sat infront of "two people" (judge / doctor) > it's just like a regular G.P. who has chosen to work for the DWP, the judge is bound by law and is not allowed to show bias etc > they are not "against you" etc, they just "look into your case" < TO SEE IF ATOS / whoever has got it wrong <!!

theres another person sat by some recording equiptment who doesn't say anything..

(atleast that was mine)

> it's a random gouvernment building, that is "your closet one" (perhaps in your local city).

> you just send a letter off saying you want a tribunal (after mandatory reconsideration (if not happy with)) then have to wait for ageeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees (still in receipt of benefit as placed in WRAG, don't need to provide sick notes etc)

2016 stats from benefits and work:

58% of ESA cases are also won by the claimant.

thats, ALOT of people who have gained more points at tribunal !

---

but the desicion is yours,

i went from 0 > 18 points or something, haven't been to my WCA yet this time, but probably expecting to have to go to tribunal again (kind of think, i will have to goto the tribunal, everytime... (regardless of health) for some reason)

> here are the support group descriptors >

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

you might want to look at 12/13 ? / others

because if that is you, then you SHOULD have been placed in support group,

just because those guys have it wrong (if so), no need to be disheartened > it's there problem (not yours) no ?.

you should at the VERY least, pend your descision (think about it) until when, enough time to send an appeal off, don't make your mind up yet.

> if you cannot manage work related activity, then you are going to have to ask to be put in the support group later ?, potentially also ?

> it sounds like they just fudged it up imho, but again it's your desicion > think wisely !!

regards

Alice_Holt

FWIW - From the info you've given Daisychains, I do think the WCA assessment got it wrong.

I don't want to worry you, but I do have concerns that you might find WRAG activities difficult.
Please don't rule out appealing.

Remember that if you start the appeal, and really can't go through with it. Then you can withdraw the appeal at any time before the scheduled tribunal.
But if you don't start the process and don't adhere to the deadlines (1 month from the decision letter to write an MR ; 1 month from the MRN to appeal to the Tribunal Service); then it becomes difficult to right the DWP's incorrect decision.

My experience of the Tribunal Service is that they are very fair.
It's not an inquisition - they are independent of the DWP. They are there to listen to you, review the evidence, and then to decide (based on the ESa reglations) if the DWP decision was correct or not.

Could you get some help with the appeal? Your local CAB / Mind?

If you could get acess to a CAB / Advice agency caseworker, they could guide you through the process and would be able to do a lot of the legwork.

Here is some info about appeals (It relates to PIP, but the ESa appeal process is virtually the same):
http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Daisychains

Hi

I received my appointment details and rang to change it to a date I could be accompanied. The lady spoke to me like I was an idiot!!

So I've decided to do an MR. I have typed up 4 pages and included the 3 sets of support descriptors that I feel apply to me.

Will I still need to attend the JC appointments while my MR goes through?

Thank you x

Torry_Quine

Daisychains wrote: »

Hi

I received my appointment details and rang to change it to a date I could be accompanied. The lady spoke to me like I was an idiot!!

So I've decided to do an MR. I have typed up 4 pages and included the 3 sets of support descriptors that I feel apply to me.

Will I still need to attend the JC appointments while my MR goes through?

Thank you x

Until you are hopefully put in the support group you will have to attend the appointments.

loopy_lass

in my personal experience, my medical situation is similar to yours, yes i was allowed to change the ineterview to a time of my support worker to attend.

the lady who was doing the interview was lovely and said not to worry because they #cherry pick" the people they think will be most likely to hold down a job before they put them forward for more interviews etc. she said in my case i wouldnt be called again and i wasnt.
hth x