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Work focused interviews on support group?
Mae85
Posts: 117 Forumite
Hello, it’s me again!
I find this website so useful so I come here for advice!
So long story short, myself and my OH are on a joint ESA claim- he claims for us both. He’s in support group and I am in WRAG. We get £352.50 a fortnight, they pay my NI credits.
My OH was called for a medical f2f assessment about 2 weeks ago which he went to (even though it hasn’t been a year since his last one lol) . The woman was very friendly and said based on the information him
And my mum gave them there is nothing to worry about.
So imagine the surprise yesterday when the postman bought him a letter saying that he’s had an interview with a work advisor set up for August to help him ‘prepare for work in the fitire’. Amongst the letter it says ‘your work coach will tell you about things you can do to help you return to work when you are able. You’ll talk about the activities you can do with your work coach and they will tell you the steps you must take to prepare for work in the future. We call these WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES ‘
...... what the hell is this?! He isn’t in WRAG he’s in support group?
The only thing I can think of is that they’ve placed him in WRAG now ? Surely they can’t come up with a decision in under two weeks ? The lady he had his f2f with said it will be at least 6 weeks until he gets his decision letter and no sooner.....
I’m obviously going to call them Monday and ask what this is all about, but do you think this letter has arrived before the decision letter? If that’s the case then that is really BAD of the DWP!
It’s stressed him out no end and he even said to me ‘maybe I can kill muaelf before that appointment ‘- this is how ill he is mentally, without his breathing and lung condition, amongst his other illnesses he has.
Advice? Opinion?
Are SG members expected to go to these now aswell?
I find this website so useful so I come here for advice!
So long story short, myself and my OH are on a joint ESA claim- he claims for us both. He’s in support group and I am in WRAG. We get £352.50 a fortnight, they pay my NI credits.
My OH was called for a medical f2f assessment about 2 weeks ago which he went to (even though it hasn’t been a year since his last one lol) . The woman was very friendly and said based on the information him
And my mum gave them there is nothing to worry about.
So imagine the surprise yesterday when the postman bought him a letter saying that he’s had an interview with a work advisor set up for August to help him ‘prepare for work in the fitire’. Amongst the letter it says ‘your work coach will tell you about things you can do to help you return to work when you are able. You’ll talk about the activities you can do with your work coach and they will tell you the steps you must take to prepare for work in the future. We call these WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES ‘
...... what the hell is this?! He isn’t in WRAG he’s in support group?
The only thing I can think of is that they’ve placed him in WRAG now ? Surely they can’t come up with a decision in under two weeks ? The lady he had his f2f with said it will be at least 6 weeks until he gets his decision letter and no sooner.....
I’m obviously going to call them Monday and ask what this is all about, but do you think this letter has arrived before the decision letter? If that’s the case then that is really BAD of the DWP!
It’s stressed him out no end and he even said to me ‘maybe I can kill muaelf before that appointment ‘- this is how ill he is mentally, without his breathing and lung condition, amongst his other illnesses he has.
Advice? Opinion?
Are SG members expected to go to these now aswell?
0
Comments
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It does sound like he's been placed into the WRAG now. There's no timescales to decisions and it's possible they made a decision in just 2 weeks.
You may find he'll receive the decision letter tomorrow as very often they arrive later. If he has been placed into the WRAG then your next step is the MR request and you'll have 28 days to do this.
No, those in Support Group would not have to attend WFI.0 -
I thought as much. We will be appealing this decision.
Thanks0 -
Ask ESA to send out a copy of the Work Capability Assessment report, so this can be used to help with the appeal.
Most of the time DWP accepts what the report recommends.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0 -
If he has been placed into the WRAG, unless you have a child living with you that claims DLA the benefit cap will apply to you.
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/benefits-cap
This may cause a shortfall in your housing benefit, if you claim it. If so then it maybe possible to claim a DHP. Contact your local council to ask them to send you a form.
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Discretionary-Housing-Payment/What-is-a-Discretionary-Housing-Payment0 -
We don!!!8217;t have any kids living with us, just me and him.0
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So are you saying that if he!!!8217;s been put in WRAG and we go onto less money until they change there decision that our housing benefit is gonna be affected?0
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It might affect your housing benefit google what benefits are exempt from the benefit cap to find out.0
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Wait for the decision letter from ESA, which will explain everything.
We are only basing our responses to your posts, based on being invited to work focused interview.
Best to wait for the letter and then if it says the claim has been reduced to work related activity group, then come back for more advice about the appeals process.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0 -
I just did a benefits cap calculator and it said we won!!!8217;t be affected. Thanks0
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If you need to appeal:
These are the SG criteria:
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors
http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/making-exception (Reg 35 risk to health if have to attend WRAG).
Very good guide to appeals (Deals with PIP but the process is the same for ESA):
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal
More info:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/challenging-an-esa-decision/
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-appeals
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-appeals/mandatory-reconsiderations
https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/178163/mandatory-reconsideration-request.pdfAlice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.0
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