ESA Daughter WRAG

[Lilly_Monroe]

yes I read that about Costa....and also the work programme attempts to get people off incapacity benefit and into work, only got like about 20 out of thousands into a job and they didn't last more than 3 months........if the jobs were available and they REALLY did make adjustments etc etc and cater for illness flare ups and bad days, then they would maybe get the odd week or two work from me, here and there, I am not capable of more than that, waiting with dread the next letter from them.......next form or assessment looming scaringly close

 

Mine is in the next two weeks Ruby dreading it.

[Guest]

my daughter is ready for it/them shes fuming already and nothing has happened yet.

[estellyn]

I am in the WRAG group and was told they can make you look for work, or do activities that will get you back into work.

The amount of pressure depends on who your advisor is.

I have been very very lucky, as NO pressure has been applied to so far.

Yet I know people who have been pressured into courses, voluntary work and the likes.

 

Not sure where all these jobs are mind that we are meant to be looking for.

Did you read that 1700 in Nottingham applied for 8 positions with Costa Coffee, amongst them Graduates who cannot find work - so what chance have we - accept selling us to do unpaid work of course.

 

Yes, the problem is the pressure people are put under. There are a lot of vulnerable people in WRAG who do not know their rights and don't have anyone advocating for them. It's only a matter of time before there is an incident of someone getting hurt, or much worsened conditioned because of pressure to do things they shouldn't be pressured into doing.

[worried33]

It doesnt surprise me if people are been told they have to apply for jobs since the DWP and its contractors seem to have little respect for their own rules and regulations, but legally that is wrong. So I would just ignore the 50 job applications thing and call their bluff, because legally she cant be sanctioned for it.

[Guest]

i would like to get copies of the regs and take with me....train them up a bit lol

[worried33]

well I see similiarities with this and the recorded medicals thread.

 

Atos tried to bully a few of usinto conceding to normal medicals, I almost backed down and ATOS backed off me right at the last moment. This to me is the same someone is been bullied into applying for jobs when they dont need to and more importantly they arent capable of doing so.

 

regulations I got from this good post by flumps is downloadable document.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?382629-ESA-Decision-(-Any-Advice-please.&p=4151508&viewfull=1#post4151508

[Guest]

ty for that worried33, I think I will be recording wherever I go.

[Inmysparetime]

Hi Laura

 

I was wondering how you got on with the GP on this? I tried this recently but GP didn't feel comfortable without fully understanding the descriptors

 

I am seeing daughters GP 9am going to ask her to fill in a paper with regulations 35 on to see if this will exempt daughter under mental health grounds deterioating through all this inhumane system see what the GP says or does, they are pretty good at supporting but may not understand what all these disabled regulations are so taking a covering letter off the Black Triangle site which explains things.

 

Heres hoping got nothing else to loose daughter cannot and will not attend work related activity she freaked out first time I took her they shoved a paper in front of her stating they expected her to look for 50 jobs a week this is outrageous to a sick person whose been appealing to get into support group for 8 months, no letter from GP, Mental Health or MP as made any difference all we keep getting is no one can be excused from this group and has to follow the process. So in a civilised society we force sick people to work till they die or we push them over the edge, this needs to stop now it is outrageous, this is making me ill never mind my daughter months of fighting this fighting that, sending this sending that ringing here ringing there. I am worn out and want all this corrupt system to halt.

[jackieandwayne]

I've just started seeing my High Intensity Practitioner again for another 20 weeks. She's connected to our local CMHT. She was telling me how, at least here in Dorset, the GP's have recognised the terrible effect all this is having on mental health patients, the service is completely overwhelmed, but the GP's have refused to redirect any funding away from this service. Or however it works. She says she likes to think it is out of care for these patients; the reality is if the CMHT has funding cut, the GP's surgeries will be full of mental health patients with nowhere to go.

 

My lady looked exhausted. She's after me to help some less articulate patients with these forms, because their own support staff are so over worked they can;t cope. I've given the matter some thought, and I've taken a look around me, had a good read on here. I have to consider my own mental health as well, I'm already helping a friend out with one of these performances with ATOS. And I suppose I could help two people a week, so we'll give it a go.

 

So I've signed up to that the site which shall not be mentioned and we'll see how it goes. I have another friend living nearby who was a legal executive for 20 years, until something nasty came her way and left her with PTSD like me. Mind as sharp as a razor. Yet another friend had a complete mental breakdown but is excellent with accounting etc., so we'll haul her on board for budgeting help etc. finances. So, within our limitations and finances allowing we'll see what we can do to help.

 

Take heart Laura, we might come across someone just like your daughter. That Cameron fool said he wanted to see community spirit and everyone helping each other - this is what us three ladies will do, and it won't be to this Govt's advantage.

 

I can only suggest, since support is now slowly being closed off from Mind etc., that if you are in a position to be able to help someone else out, you offer to do so. I'm sure its common knowledge that some mental health conditions can make people like a terrier with a bone, and when that's combined with a skill you thought you'd never use again - it can be a wicked tool.

 

Laura this is shocking. Pat on the back and gold star to you a) for being the caring soul you are and b) for clearly belonging to the terrier club.

[Laura Cooke]

Hi Laura

 

I was wondering how you got on with the GP on this? I tried this recently but GP didn't feel comfortable without fully understanding the descriptors

 

GP Happily filled the form in stating daughter is in ni fit state to be in wrag group let alone work sent it off not heard of many using this route but in my case felt I was running out of options will keep you posted on how it goes on

[Laura Cooke]

I've just started seeing my High Intensity Practitioner again for another 20 weeks. She's connected to our local CMHT. She was telling me how, at least here in Dorset, the GP's have recognised the terrible effect all this is having on mental health patients, the service is completely overwhelmed, but the GP's have refused to redirect any funding away from this service. Or however it works. She says she likes to think it is out of care for these patients; the reality is if the CMHT has funding cut, the GP's surgeries will be full of mental health patients with nowhere to go.

 

My lady looked exhausted. She's after me to help some less articulate patients with these forms, because their own support staff are so over worked they can;t cope. I've given the matter some thought, and I've taken a look around me, had a good read on here. I have to consider my own mental health as well, I'm already helping a friend out with one of these performances with ATOS. And I suppose I could help two people a week, so we'll give it a go.

 

So I've signed up to that the site which shall not be mentioned and we'll see how it goes. I have another friend living nearby who was a legal executive for 20 years, until something nasty came her way and left her with PTSD like me. Mind as sharp as a razor. Yet another friend had a complete mental breakdown but is excellent with accounting etc., so we'll haul her on board for budgeting help etc. finances. So, within our limitations and finances allowing we'll see what we can do to help.

 

Take heart Laura, we might come across someone just like your daughter. That Cameron fool said he wanted to see community spirit and everyone helping each other - this is what us three ladies will do, and it won't be to this Govt's advantage.

 

I can only suggest, since support is now slowly being closed off from Mind etc., that if you are in a position to be able to help someone else out, you offer to do so. I'm sure its common knowledge that some mental health conditions can make people like a terrier with a bone, and when that's combined with a skill you thought you'd never use again - it can be a wicked tool.

 

Laura this is shocking. Pat on the back and gold star to you a) for being the caring soul you are and b) for clearly belonging to the terrier club.

 

Thanks Jackieand wayne we got to stand together over these tyrants they have run me down let alone my daughter I am just blown away by the lack of support from other MP`s, Lords, unions, etc etc looks as if no one cares a damn it is all wrong because when these cuts and reality really kick in after April everyone will havbe a relative or know someone who is truly suffering because of these cuts, good luck to you and your kind helpers we need all the help we can get, I signed up to a site have paid to it twice but not used it find it so hard to navigate round it

[Laura Cooke]

Update Daughters GP signed regulation 29 & 35 sent it to DWP 3 weeks later they have wrote and said Daughter`s 10 month awaited appeal to go into the support group as been cancelled and she as been placed into the support group this is a relief, however I am not complacent I know how DWP operate they have not stated how long she as been placed in the support group and I know they are fond for continously keep reassessing people

[Inmysparetime]

Update Daughters GP signed regulation 29 & 35 sent it to DWP 3 weeks later they have wrote and said Daughter`s 10 month awaited appeal to go into the support group as been cancelled and she as been placed into the support group this is a relief, however I am not complacent I know how DWP operate they have not stated how long she as been placed in the support group and I know they are fond for continously keep reassessing people

 

Hi Laura

 

Congratulations in this achievement. To help my cause, did the GP know of the regulations when you asked for the letter? I tried to get this done too but the GP said he wasn't happy to sign as he didn't want to quote on something he wasn't educated on. Just wondering how you approached asking for the help with this and whether you took along any documents explaining what the regulations were?

 

Don't blame you for not becoming complacent... who knows when the next dreaded ESA50 will hit the doormat

[Guest]

Inmysparetime.....If you look up the regulation (I googled it) you can print it off, I gave my GP a copy, with a 2 page letter of how my illnesses affect me, I won my tribunal hearing on reg 29 &35. I am now waiting for the next round as its been almost 2 yrs now. But having this info on file with the GP does keep them in the know.

[Laura Cooke]

Nice one Ruby the template letters come with an explanation letter off a Dr which your GP can read daughters GP very supportive she had not heard of this was and was more than happy to sign it she has done letters and all sorts with no charge

 

http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2012/11/16/important-how-to-gain-exemption-from-dwpatos-fit-for-work-wrag-decisions-by-applying-esa-regulations-29-and-35-new-campaign-by-black-triangle-dpac/

[RaeUK]

Well done. As for length of time allocated to the support group, just give your DWP BDC a ring. They tend to tell you the length of time over the phone, whereas the letter is just a standard one that covers everyone.

[Laura Cooke]

Thanks Rae going to have to start another thread up now the nightmare continues had the dreaded letter come from DWP transferring from IS to ESA begins for my brain dameged husband

[Nystagmite]

That's good news. Not good about your husband though.

 

Really can't understand why they don't say on the letter how long you're in the support group for.

 

You may need to now inform the work programme about this. They may talk her into going, as they did me. I said no and could see no good why I should be on the work programme. It is because of them, I'm on ESA in the first place.

[Laura Cooke]

Apparently they do not seem to let anyone know how long they have placed you in the support group for bet they keep sending her ESA50 to push her over the edge, been trying to find how to start a new thread about my husband it keeps stating I have done 1 tag and that is enough no idea what this means

[RaeUK]

As far as I'm aware, people have absolutely no problem finding out how long they've been placed in the support group for - just phone up your BDC and ask. In my case, I was told it was for three years. I'm assuming that the reason they don't say on the letter is that it is a standard computer generated letter.

[Inmysparetime]

Inmysparetime.....If you look up the regulation (I googled it) you can print it off, I gave my GP a copy, with a 2 page letter of how my illnesses affect me, I won my tribunal hearing on reg 29 &35. I am now waiting for the next round as its been almost 2 yrs now. But having this info on file with the GP does keep them in the know.

 

Thank you Ruby

[Inmysparetime]

Nice one Ruby the template letters come with an explanation letter off a Dr which your GP can read daughters GP very supportive she had not heard of this was and was more than happy to sign it she has done letters and all sorts with no charge

 

http://blacktrianglecampaign.org/2012/11/16/important-how-to-gain-exemption-from-dwpatos-fit-for-work-wrag-decisions-by-applying-esa-regulations-29-and-35-new-campaign-by-black-triangle-dpac/

 

Thank you Laura

[Laura Cooke]

My husband as been on Income Support since 1996 since he received a serious brain injury he receives both High Rate Care DLA and High Rate Mobility DLA

 

Benefits are in my husbands name but I have always been allowed to discuss them over the phone, he was awarded High Rate Mobility DLA 2 months ago as his arthritis in the spine, knees, shoulders, elbows as rapidly worsened his GP wrote a letter to DWP stating he can barely walk 20 meter he is bed ridden some times 4 days a week. 10 different pieces of evidence was sent to DLA to back up his physical problems it was accepted quickly.

 

A letter as arrived to say we will receive a telephone call within 2 weeks to ask him questions before the ESA50 is sent out, DWP will not be able to ring me as my phone will not accept with held numbers. I will have to ring them but it will be my husband they will expect to interview and he cannot speak.

 

As anyone got any advice how I can deal with this my husband would not handle an ESA assessment he gets very aggitated, annoyed and distressed I need to know what action I can take to spare him this upset?

[Nystagmite]

Are DWP aware that your husband can't speak? If you're his appointee who deals with everything, it should be you they speak to.

 

You need to get his GP and any specialists he sees involved in all this. My situation is completely different, (I do have a head injury; but the effects aren't overly serious) but I argued why a return to work isn't possible (how working would affect my health and that of others around me) and that I wouldn't be able to cope with the face to face. (part of that is to do with the issue of being in strange places and noise)

 

My GP was aware of what was going on and luckily I was recently diagnosed; so was seeing him anyway and he was contacted and was able to put enough information on the form he was sent.

[Laura Cooke]

Nystagmite so you did not have to have an assessment? no I am not an appointee I just deal with everything, they sometimes ask me if I have power of acould do with this really but no idea how long it takes