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ESA group confusion?

zippy1969
zippy1969 Posts: 150 Forumite
edited 25 March 2019 at 12:49PM in Benefits & tax credits
I am working with somebody who claims ESA and is in the support group.

They were recently sent a WCA form. This resulted in a paper based assessment. They have received no formal decision from the DWP but have had a copy of the report from the healthcare professional.

It states:

"I advise that the client meets the criteria for Limited Capability for Work Related Activity as they have severe functional disability."

The healthcare professional states the prognosis as "...work is unlikely in the longer term."

However, the report mentions nothing about the Support Group?

I found this during a Google search:

"The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might think you cannot work or take part in ‘work-related activity’. In this case you will go into the ‘support group’ for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or you will get the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ element of Universal Credit (UC).


So... we are somewhat confused?

Does this LCWRAG replace support group?

Will this person now be moved onto universal credit?

Will the person I work with, who also gets full PIP, get the same amount of money if the guidance of the health professional is upheld by the DWP?

Comments

  • Nooney123456789
    Nooney123456789 Posts: 61 Forumite
    edited 25 March 2019 at 1:02PM
    zippy1969 wrote: »
    I am working with somebody who claims ESA and is in the support group.

    They were recently sent a WCA form. This resulted in a paper based assessment. They have received no formal decision from the DWP but have had a copy of the report from the healthcare professional.

    It states:

    "I advise that the client meets the criteria for Limited Capability for Work Related Activity as they have severe functional disability."

    The healthcare professional states the prognosis as "...work is unlikely in the longer term."

    However, the report mentions nothing about the Support Group?

    I found this during a Google search:

    "The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) might think you cannot work or take part in ‘work-related activity’. In this case you will go into the ‘support group’ for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or you will get the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ element of Universal Credit (UC).


    So... we are somewhat confused?

    Does this LCWRAG replace support group?

    Will this person now be moved onto universal credit?

    Will the person I work with, who also gets full PIP, get the same amount of money if the guidance of the health professional is upheld by the DWP?

    Limited capability for work related activity means support group,if DWP agree with the assessor which they usually do especially because it was a paperbased assessment then their claim won't change.
  • Lexy_D
    Lexy_D Posts: 8 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture First Post
    Hi zippy1969.
    I am no expert but I am wondering if your area has been moved into a UC one? If so, the LCWRAG 'should' be the same as the Support Group, as with UC there are two groups LCW and LCWRAG. I have been driving myself insane trying to unravel the rules and regulations about UC also.
    I am sure someone with more knowledge about this will reply soon.
    Lexy_D
  • Lexy_D wrote: »
    Hi zippy1969.
    I am no expert but I am wondering if your area has been moved into a UC one? If so, the LCWRAG 'should' be the same as the Support Group, as with UC there are two groups LCW and LCWRAG. I have been driving myself insane trying to unravel the rules and regulations about UC also.
    I am sure someone with more knowledge about this will reply soon.
    Lexy_D

    Its LCWRA and that is support group on esa it has always been support group on esa they have just dropped the name support group on UC and now call it the LCWRA group instead,the rules and regulations are just the exact same as they were on esa.
  • Lexy_D
    Lexy_D Posts: 8 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture First Post
    Thank you for the clarification, Nooney123456789 :-)
    Lexy_D
  • zippy1969
    zippy1969 Posts: 150 Forumite
    Huge thanks to all of you for the clarification.

    They do make it complicated. The conspiricy theorists among us probably agree that this isn't accidental?
  • Lexy_D
    Lexy_D Posts: 8 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture First Post
    Hi zippy1969,
    No conspiracy theory here :-). I don't think that 'accidental' is in the DWP handbook :-) Therefore, it did not happen lol.
    Lexy
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