What happens now if you are placed in WRAG Group and appeal to be put into the Support Group.

[JoOwen]

Hi everyone, hope you are all feeling the best you can. I filled in my ESA50 and returned it just over a month ago, I was wondering, now with all the changes to the appeals system, if I am placed in the WRAG group and appeal to be put in the Support Group, do they stop your money while they reconsider this, just as they do if you get found fit for work? I won my appeal this time last year after being found fit for work (that damned cardboard box) but was put into the WRAG group, I was just relieved to win so didn't argue it, but now i'm so much worse than then, I walk with a stick but sometimes i'm hardly able to walk at all. I currently have to go to the work programme thingy every two weeks which is mandatory and is killing me but if I don't go I will be sanctioned. I'm so worried about this and being put back into WRAG but can't afford to lose my money for an appeal.

[Andyandflo1]

Hi ive got the same problems. They trying to find me a placement that fits around my illness. Had to go jobcentre on my sticks and a hell of a time explaining what I can and can't do. Im so depressed thinking about it and they checking all my appointment s.got to go back 9th December.

[JoOwen]

I have to go today, I don't go out as we don't have a car, usually my daughter in law lent us hers last time but she can't today so I have to cope with a bus as well, my hands and arms are killing me today as is the usual hip, leg and ankle pain, also all the other joys of FM. Really not looking forward to it, fortnightly IDS torture I call it. We have to try and not get depressed though. Thank you for the reply.

[Offcut]

If you are unwell and get a sick note they cannot force you to interviews.

[esagestapo]

Ring them and explain you are not well enough to attend, they should give you at least 2 options, a home visit or telephone interview, they can't sanction you for not attending due to ill health, actually they can, it just means you will win on appeal if they sanction you. The only part of ESA they can stop is the extra you get for being in WRAG, the component rate.

[deeplydippy]

im in the work focus group I don't understand the different groups I rang told them I was not well enough to attend and got told that my money would be stopped if I didn't attend I wasn't given any other option so I struggled and went just wished these ppl could have this even for a short while so they would realise how painful it is the woman I saw said I could get better if I motivated myself they said I would benefit from a part time job I was in a part time job and had to leave because of this illeness I was so upset when I left I get no help as it is

[esagestapo in reply to deeplydippy]

There's only 2 groups, WRAG and SG. The rules state they are supposed to give you at least 2 options, they can't or are not supposed to sanction you if you tell them you are not well enough to attend. From personal experience I found most DWP staff to be liars and fraudsters who completely ignore the rules & regs and threaten people with sanctions to attend, like they are doing to you now.

I was sanctioned for not attending WRAG, that's how I know the rules, been there - got the Tshirt etc. They falsified my signature to say I signed a form agreeing to attend WRAG, even if I had signed the form it would make no difference as I had informed them I was not well enough to attend. The tribunal was not happy with the DWP's total ignorance or blatant disregard of the rules in my case - so lots of nice arrears paid into my bank ac again.

[Kirby in reply to deeplydippy]

I am appalled by this. Sadly there's a lot of it going on but how dare she tell you what would motivate you. This makes me so angry. It has come from up high this idea that we need to somehow be motivated (ie bullied) into work. No, we do not. They are not supposed to sanction you without good reason. A good reason surely is illness. If they try and tell you otherwise they're lying. They have sanction targets and will do it to anybody they see as easy prey. Don't let them bully you. Get your MP on side (even if a Tory) they're supposed to help their constituents. TRy and find someone with knowledge of welfare rights who will support you. My best wishes.

[tarka53 in reply to deeplydippy]

my partner was put in WRAG.but reading the letter from DWP he qualified for ESA under exceptional circumstances due to progressive neurological disorder and would be a substantial risk to himself and others.if placed in a working environment.he had to go to WFI and the chap their said he should not be there but would have to assess him because he was on his list. he has gp note for three months so how can he go to interviews. or do gp note mean nothing. i did phone and ask for phone interview as he was due to have cortisone injections and was told i must cancel gp appointment or he would be sanctioned. this to me is overuling what the gp says as this treatment could help him in some way .he now has to wait an extra 10 days to get to see his gp due to this cancellation.surely this is wrong. i know have gp letter stating all his medical treatments to get him in support group as the job centre say he should be in this group not in WRAG but will have to keep going to WFI till then.and everywhere he goes i have to take him.i am 62 and this is wearing me out too now.

[jimsalisbury12345]

its nightmare been on incapcity benifit 16 years no prob asking if fit accept that am not them got dreded form for esa made appointment with citizens advice was there 2 hours filling form thought be enought not go medical but no called me in for a medical that nasty firm atos on day was real bad with my condition hardly walk no grip in hand so thought be placed support group but no put me wrag group i appealed right away called in by job centre two weeks later advisor said had prepare for work isaid no he said you have to and isaid do your job right check your system am in appeal cant force me till go appeal six weeks later won the appeal put support group two years which should be tillretiremant have do same thing again crazy job cenre staff are uncaring like all dwp staff are but i stick my finger up att ehm for being so uncaring

[JoOwen]

Well I went yesterday to find out it was a meeting with about 20 other people all with various health conditions, one women was begging her partner to go home, rocking and saying "to many people, to many people", another was having a panic attack, I was in incredible pain because had to go by bus which is a 40 minute journey, we don't have a car and I don't go out. After being there about 40 minutes was told could go home if absolutely necessary but should stay because they are going to tell everyone about the new torture technics IDS is bringing in, which means we have to go every two weeks mandatory. She then said if we leave she will send us a letter but won't get sanctioned, so about half the people including me went. When I got down in the lift, one woman was in her scooter crying her eyes out saying she couldn't take this no more. This is just plain cruel, I cannot believe what we have been put through, what sick and disabled people are going through all over the country. I'm still in shock from what I have witnessed and can't believe this can happen in this day and age, I thought as people and as a country we were beyond this kind of thing.

Thank you every one for your replies, Jim I wish I were near retirement but at least you won't have to go through this anymore.

Deeplydippy, I was the same, when I first started showing the symptoms and was in pain I went from fulltime down to part time, and then eventually had to leave because I was getting home and crying I was in so much pain. That was in 2009, now i'm lucky if I can walk some days, my husband is my fulltime carer and I don't know what would happen without him. These people have no idea, I been up against the "it's all in your head" people. They should shut up until they've spent a week in our shoes.

[Kirby in reply to JoOwen]

It is so appalling, Jo. It's disgusting. They have been tightening the screws more and more on the sick and disabled. Try and get your MP onside, even if a Tory. Join Benefits&Work for a small fee but lots of help not just manuals but in the forums. There are also many helpful groups on Facebook with helpful links and even people always looking for people to take part in programmes to highlight the issues. All the best.