maybe it was

I was thinking more along the lines of asking the MP to write to the executive in charge of the relevant job centre office concerned to point out that they are exceeding their powers, are adversely affecting the health state of the unwell constituent concerned and that these actions should stop. As the DWP and job centres provide a publicly funded service, it is perfectly acceptable for MPs to intervene on behalf of their constituents.

They seem to have. Maybe ATOS are finally getting their act together, a month before their contract ends!

The support group criteria aren't points based, they're a specific set of descriptors. They're available online if you want to read them. I think they're called "limited capability for work-related activity" descriptors.

ahh ok, yes maybe its good too


ok and yes i know that, but i thought that it would still be points, thanks for the heads up

Will wait and see if i get my letter today, got my backpay today.

I am in the WRAG group and get hounded constantly to attend courses, including ''High Activity'' courses which when I read the description sounded like absolute hell to me. I suffer badly with anxiety, depression, avoidant personality disorder and alcoholism and I really feel I should be In the support group because this constant harrassment I am getting in WRAG is making my anxiety and depression 10 times worse. I don't attend these courses and when they asked me why I explained and got sanctioned anyway. Now I am trying to launch an appeal but the process is painfully slow, I have been living on sanction rate for the past month, its getting me down

pjw, if you can get medical evidence that your condition has deteriorated, it might be worth seeking a revision on those grounds in the hope that you could get placed in the support group.

Even if none of the specific support group descriptors apply to you, there's provision for people to go into the support group if doing work-related activity would make their condition worse. It's in regulation 35 (2) (b) if you want to look it up.

I've used it successfully in a couple of appeals for people with your combination of health problems.

I've just had a letter to say I scored zero points at my ESA assessment. Amongst other things, apparently not having a blackout or anxiety attack during the assessment means I never have them. Pfft. You just have to laugh at the omissions and twisting of words in these reports really!

I recommend getting some medical evidence to back you up, i had 2 doctors letters from different doctors, my main issue too is anxiety, but i also have various other mental health issues, that all affect one another and interconnect with eachother, making my life hell everyday.

as LakieLady said about regulation 35 (2) (b) i think that might have been the case with me? but im not sure, the letter doesn't say how many points i got, i got my letter yesterday, it just says im in the support group, it doesn't even say how long for, but on the phone they said 18 months. why doesn't the letter give more details of the award and the descriptors i scored it in, should i ring up and ask them to send me a copy? so i get more information as to how they worked mine out? or should i just leave it?

But good Luck pjw1985

Also a question for anyone?

Now im in the support group because im under 35 im actually (32), i have been on that single room rate with housing benefit, if i take the letter in to housing on monday, will i get more now im in the support group, or not? the lady i spoke to on the phone last week wasnt sure, she thought i might actually lose money, so even less than what i get now. any more info would be kindly appreciated.

Thanks

I'd ask for a copy of the assessor's report, just out of curiosity.

Re your housing benefit, DLA (middle or higher rate care) or PIP entitles you to the over-35 rate of housing benefit but being in the support group doesn't. Having said that, most people in the support group also qualify for PIP, so if you aren't getting it, it's worth looking into applying.

It is possible to lose HB when you're in the support group, because of a peculiar technicality to do with it (effectively) being contribution based. It's unlikely if you're single, as your applicable amount should be the same amount as you get in ESA.

However, you can get round that by claiming the enhanced disability premium.
This is an income-related addition of £15.55 pw that people in the support group are entitled to if they meet the means test, which you will if you don't have a working partner or any other income. DLA/PIP is disregarded, btw. The addition of the premium means you are "passported" into full HB, up to the local housing allowance that applies.

Your ESA should be £123.70 pw, made up as follows:

Personal allowance £72.40
Support component £35.75
Enhanced DP £15.55

Last year someone I know was awarded PIP until 2023. He's had a letter saying he has to attend an ATOS medical in a month's time. Is this a mistake? I thought being awarded until 2023 would mean there'd be no need for a medical until then.

Ok thanks, and i already get DLA, i get the 2 low rates for care and forgot the other one, and i am getting the enhanced disability premium, so does that mean i will get the full rate once i take the letter in now?

Thanks for this info, my landlady will be very happy to hear this news, as she has been very kind the last few years accepting the single room rate, i am very lucky to have such a nice landlady

Thanks again

U should ask him to ring PIP up and make sure its true, and explain he was awarded until 2023, u have a strong case, cos you have the letter to back it up? saying 2023? so just fax them the copy of the letter as prove, im sure they will then say yes it was a mistake, good luck, lets us know the outcome...

I think you'll only get the single room rate as you're only getting lower rate care. However, you'll get full housing benefit up to that rate. I'll try and remember to check tomorrow, when I'm at work and have all my reference books to hand.

Ok, thanks, will check the thread tomorrow

Please go back a few pages and start reading the thread because there'll be plenty of advice about appealing with respect to sanctions and benefit decisions. The most important advice is probably to get assistance with any challenge from any one of the Citizens Advice Bureau http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm, local council benefit advice unit or community law centre depending upon what is available locally.

In the case of the WRAG group, the job-related activities are mandatory (although you should not in this group be actually forced to apply for any jobs) and doing a no-show without warning does run the risk of incurring sanctions. In such cases, the best thing to do is to always get medical GP or social worker back up (e.g. writing/fax/email/phone) each time it becomes impossible to attend one of these compulsory activities.

I rang up and asked for my assessors report, they said it was already sent out on the 24th by second class post, but i still not got it yet?

@LakieLady - i just wondered if you remembered to check for me, i took the letter into housing benefit office today, and as usual they was just soo unhelpful the lady i saw was.

She just wanted to get rid of me, she was not very nice to me, and i asked her to tell me if i will lose money from my single room rate or gain some extra and she said i don't know i haven't looked at your claim, so i said can you look at it, and she said no, and just pushed me off, so i tried again, will u please help me and tell me and she said no, i felt like shouting at the top of my lungs, after waiting to be seen in the waiting area for an hour too, just to be dealt with so badly, its a disgrace to be honest, why cant they help us and explain to try cause less worry and anxiety for people, it was not very pleasant, i think i might complain tomorrow about it...

Question about Joint Tenancy and filling in the ESA3 form.

On the ESA3 form it asks 'Do you share the rent or mortgage for the place where you live with anyone else?' If the answer is yes - does a claimant have to go into detail about that person further on in the form where it talks about other people who live with you.

Further on in the form it states 'Do any other people live in your household who you may not have already told us about? Well, the joint tenant was mentioned earlier on in the form with the words 'joint tenant' placed in brackets?

My understanding is that you remain classed as a single person even if you share a joint tenancy and the joint tenant pays half the rent and all other utility bills. Also, that a joint tenant is not classed as a non dependent. Finding it all a bit confusing?

I did check, and you won't be entitled to the one-bed rate unless you're getting middle rate care of DLA or the standard rate of the daily living component if you are on PIP. The single room rate will still apply.

You'll be entitled to the maximum single room rate as per the local housing allowance for your area, or the full rent, whichever is the lower.

Ok thanks, so basically it is no change. ok, thanks for getting back to me

The terrible cuts over the years, that have left mental health support in a total mess

Mental health service budgets 'cut by 8%'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31970871

Does anybody know if its true that the 'work related activity' component is going to be scrapped from ESA?

That really wouldn't surprise me

They will cut our money and double the harassment to attend their ''intensive work related activity courses''

It would not surprise me, as they are changing JSA to include illness in it.
They also have claimed that they will take 12b off the budget if they get it. If they was to take everyone off jsa it would only be about 2b.
I am in support group, but I honestly think me along with many others will not be put back in at next assessment. I believe they will change the goal posts and shove many who are not fit into work.
There are not jobs for those who are able as it is. Many many more suicides I think if they get back in.