Work related activity group

[John5]

Hello, I have had a letter from the DWP, after my medical with Atos, The letter says i have been placed in a Work related activity group, I don't really understand what this is , I think its saying i am fit for work and someone will help me find some ??? . I am not fit for work what should i do ? Thanks

[borderline61]

Hello. I think this is happening to so many people. First thing to do is read the letter to the end. At some point it will state that you have the right to appeal. It will also give you a date to send you letter of appeal in by. If this is done you should continue to get what you have been getting until the application is reviewed.

Most folk who are getting employment and support allowance will be put thru this horrible process after the first 13 weeks. That's when atos step in.

In my case I contacted my local welfare rights depth at my local council. I'm in Scotland and i don't know if this service is available in other parts of the uk. I would assume that the is an equivalent.

They have been brilliant in my case I finally went to tribunal last week and the decision based on the atos assessment was overturned.

My atos medical interview was last Nov. So you can see that it does take time. But at the outset welfare rights told me as long as the letter of appeal was sent in by the stated date they couldn't just stop the benefit until it had been looked at again. I hope this gives you a bit of hope. I might just add that all our personal situations are different and you might need to find a service that will take this on for you. If not welfare rights then citizens advice. Both services are provided free of charge.

I wish you well, as I know that this just adds to all the stress. Make it a priority for Monday morning I hope you find the support you need to get thru this insulting process. K. xx

[evilimbic]

The work related activity group is for people that they think will be able to find work at some point in the future and can take steps towards becoming able to work. People in the work related group (like me) will have interviews at a job centre about how they can be helped into work (for me this was basically them saying go get better!) and may have training and condition management programs to attend. It certainly doesn't mean you are currently fit for work.

[bighomer13]

do not get me started on this one john..... i think dwp needs a good kick up the bum if not them then the government!!!!

i was on incap benefits due to my anxiety panic and depression. last year they changed me and put me on this esa work related group. i thought how do they expect me to go to work with all i have got wrong with me!!?? anywho i get a letter in april this year to say that my benefits are going to stop because you cant claim esa contributions for long that 365 days. so i filled out a esa3 form i think its called and this was about a month ago. im due to get money this tuesday but they still havent look at my claim so since the laws on benefits has changed i get nothing on tuesday and they expect you to live off of nothing. of course this dose not help me with my mental health issues but they way i see it they dont see this. as long as they are ok bugger every one else........................................

[John5]

Hi and thank you for your replies , I do feel that i shouldn't be in this group, I have many medical problems , when i was told by letter i had to have a medical by Atos , my GP wrote to them saying i couldn't make it to there , and she asked if they would do a home visit instead, which they did on the terms of my illness , I am more or less house bound , How am i supposed to get to the Job center , Should i ask to be put in the support group!! Thanks again Any advice is very helpful .

[ellabella]

Yes John, appeal the decision as 40% are overturned at appeal.. Even if you are not successful don't worry as you can have your WRAG interviews by telephone. Don't let this stupid government make you any more stressed than you already are. Good luck x