ib to esa put in wrag with no medical

[Sicktodeath33]

Hi all Ive been put in wrag group without a medical is this normal? Ive had ib since 2005 when I had cancer and went through 2 years of operations and treatments which has left me with depresssion anxiety and panic attacks .Im basically now a recluse as I dont socialise at all and am only comfortable at home with my very close family . I do not know how I can go to the things the job centre people make you do will I be able to take my husband or daughter to these as I cant go anywhere on my own ? This whole thing is making me ill .Should I appeal ? Ive worked all my life im nearly 58 my pension has been moved till Im 66 this government is robbing me left right and centre I dont qualify for the income related esa as my husband has some savings but this is my second marriage and his money has always been his money I feel suicidal whats the point

[Nystagmite]

Not everyone needs a medical. Some peoples; ESA50s are filled in such a way that a decision can be made just by using the form.

[Slatted]

You can still appeal the decision to put you in ESA WRAG if you believe you may meet the criteria for the Support Group....it sounds as if you may have grounds for an exceptional circumstance as long as you can get medical evidence.

 

That said if you speak to the Local Jobcentre about your anxieities they may allow for a telephone interview rather than having to go the them for the WFI.

 

It is tough but keep fighting.

[Dilizjo]

Hi,

You describe exactly the same issues my son suffers from, I had to fight for a home visit for his assessment and eventually got one through ATOS cancelling appts. He failed and I appealed with vengeance, which I won for him before it went to tribunal, he was placed in a support group straight away. So I agree with Slatted appeal for support group.

[Sicktodeath33]

Thanks for the replies what happens when you appeal? do they stop your money? and what happens if you lose your appeal? Sorry for all the questions Im no good at this

[leo1974]

I didn't want to hijack Sicktodeath33's thread, but I'm in a similar position. (mods, can you merge the threads please if you want, thanks)

 

I'm bipolar, under a psychiatrist and on lots of meds, been on IB for 6+ years. In 2009 I filled in a form (IB50?) and was told I didn't need a medical and IB would continue.

 

This time round, I filled in the WCA form with basically the same information as I did before, adn I find on Friday I've been put in Wrag with no medical.

 

I'm shocked. And scared.

 

I didn't include any documentary evidence (e.g. psychiatrist's letters) with my WCA form, which might have been a mistake.

 

Can anyone advise me whether my first thing to do should be: write asking for the basis of their decision, or just go straight to appealing it?

 

Thanks to everyone here.

 

L

[MARTIN3030]

If Sicktodeath33 is ok with it then can merge as it may be helpful for both of you.

[reallymadwoman]

I didn't want to hijack Sicktodeath33's thread, but I'm in a similar position. (mods, can you merge the threads please if you want, thanks)

 

I'm bipolar, under a psychiatrist and on lots of meds, been on IB for 6+ years. In 2009 I filled in a form (IB50?) and was told I didn't need a medical and IB would continue.

 

This time round, I filled in the WCA form with basically the same information as I did before, adn I find on Friday I've been put in Wrag with no medical. It does happen occasionally. Have you previously submitted medical evidence or had a medical?

 

I'm shocked. And scared.

 

I didn't include any documentary evidence (e.g. psychiatrist's letters) with my WCA form, which might have been a mistake.

 

Can anyone advise me whether my first thing to do should be: write asking for the basis of their decision, or just go straight to appealing it?

 

Thanks to everyone here.

 

L

 

Before you consider appealing you should check if you meet any of the support group criteria (I'm sure there's a link in the stickies, but if not I expect Honeybee will post it for me).

 

It is only worth appealing to go into the support group if

 

a) you're on contribution based ESA (it runs out after 12 months in WRAG but is indefinite in the support group) and won't qualify for income based ESA

 

or

 

b) you are absolutely certain you will get into the support group

 

because the difference in benefits is 'only' about £5 a week (though I appreciate £5 is quite a lot to plenty of people) but by appealing you could end up being found fit for work and losing benefit altogether.

[leo1974]

Hi RMW, thanks for your reply.

 

(i) I had an ATOS medical about 6 years ago, which basically lasted about 4 minutes because when bipolar came up, and I described how I am, the doctor phoned somewhere and when he came back he ended the medical, saying I met the criteria for IB, just like that. It was very strange.

 

(ii) The jobcentreplus letter (which is the only thing I've received) says "You are entitled to contribution-based" ESA.

[reallymadwoman]

Do you have any other income - e.g. pensions? Do you have a partner, and if so do they work?

 

If your household income is low (including any partner's earnings) then you may qualify for income based ESA when your 12 months are up.

[leo1974]

Hi,

 

no pensions, no income, no partner

[antone]

Thanks for the replies what happens when you appeal? do they stop your money? and what happens if you lose your appeal? Sorry for all the questions Im no good at this

 

Until your appeal is heard, the original decision to place you in the WRAG will stand and you'll be paid your benefit accordingly. If you win, the extra Support Group component will be paid to you, backdated to the same original decision date.

 

If you lose, you would normally stay in the WRAG, though the Tribunal could, in theory, decide to remove your ESA award entirely. I don't recall hearing of a case where that's actually happened, though, and if your condition is such that you were placed in the WRAG without a medical (very unusual) I wouldn't think it's at all likely.

 

It may be worth appealing since you are on ESA© and won't be entitled to ESA(IR), since new legislation passed Parliament in April to restrict ESA© to a maximum of 12 months for those in the WRAG. The restriction does not apply to those in the SG.

[reallymadwoman]

It's up to you then.

 

Check out the support group criteria. If you meet one (or more) then decide if you want the hassle and risk for £5 a week.

 

Whatever happens when your contribution benefit runs out, just apply for income based.

[Slatted]

You can apply for income based whilst still receiving contribution based. It gives you the benefits of dental, optical, prescptions etc...

 

I did it for my husband and they confirmed he is viewed as on both.......

[Sicktodeath33]

Thanks so much Antone I am going to appeal as I know there is no way I could cope with the job centre things

[Sicktodeath33]

Yes Martin3030 its ok with me to merge

[antone]

Yes Martin3030 its ok with me to merge

 

OK, I have merged the two threads together as the issues being discussed are very similar.

[count orlok]

Thanks so much Antone I am going to appeal as I know there is no way I could cope with the job centre things

 

I know how you feel. I got put into the support group without a WCA, the rate between the different types makes no difference to me as I am still on the Invalidity transition rate. if I am moved upon next reassessment it would be the WFI and WRAG stuff that would do me in. I'll just tell em the shove it and go onto Carers allowance, I'll get my stamps paid and money made up with GPC.

 

I wanted to do that when i came off IB but the guy from the JCP said fill in the ESA50 anyway.

[leo1974]

Good luck Sicktodeath33, and thanks everyone for help and comments.

 

I'm going to write to Jobcentreplus asking for an explanation, and a written statement of their reasons.

 

I thought Bipolar came under "tentatively invite" to a medical, so I've been stressing over a medical for weeks. Never thought I'd go straight to wrag.

 

I wonder if this is a new trend?

 

Thanks again.