Hi I am new on this... I have fibro but waiting for MRI scan as get a lot of pain like you all have suffered. I want to ask what is WRAG

[Tinny2]

group and ATOS is? I'm on ESA. Do I get DLA for it? Need your help please. Tina x

[bluebell99]

Hi and welcome.!!

WRAG means work related activity group. It means the job centre can call you in and give advice about going back to work.

A lot of people here have been put in this group. It is contribution based for one year, after which it becomes income based. This means if you have a working partner, they are expected to look after you financially. It is always best to appeal if you are in this group.

The support group is different in that it is not calculated on income, neither are you expected to find work, although they will offer encouragement if you feel able to do so.

ATOS is the name of one of the main companies that assess your questionnaire and carry out medical assessments. They are supposed to recommend an outcome but the final decision lies with the Department of Work and Pensions. (DWP) They are getting out of their contract because of (justified) bad publicity and the ever growing back log of appeals. Incredibly they have been given the contract to enter all your health information, family history, national insurance number and more so that the NHS can access it. You can't make it up can you!!!.

DLA has changed to PIP, and is much harder to gain than DLA. If you have care and mobility issues you can be assessed and if you pass the very high criteria you will get this. This payment is not taxed.

The main fibro website can give much more detailed information, just click on the yellow butterfly top right.

Hope this helps.

[security in reply to bluebell99]

Hello, bluebell99. I have noticed you mentioned that the support group is not calculated on income, My son is in the support group for over a year now, (He has learning difficulties ) He has over £ 20,000 saving's left by this late grandfather to purchase a future home, Due to this savings he is not entitled to any benefits whatsoever.......Has this now changed? He was told that he had to support himself and use his inheratance until it was spent before benefits would be paid.??

[bluebell99 in reply to security]

HI security,

I am very sorry, I may have mislead you.

I was thinking of income coming in via earnings .I forgot that savings is counted towards income, even down to the interest you earn on them.

I think the limit is £6000, but it would be a good idea for you to check. The Benefits information on this site is very good. Click on the yellow butterfly, top right.

It is terrible that your son has to do this, particularly if his inheritance is for his future. Is there any way you can tie this up to a property now?

My granddaughter will be in the same position, her parents, (my daughter and son-in-law) are considering moving to a larger house so that when they do downsize the difference will go to her. I expect it hasn't occurred to them, (or me) that you can be penalised for doing it.

The government wants everyone off benefits but when you try to do something to help yourself it knocks you back.

I hope you get it sorted out very soon. Please keep in touch.

Nancy Xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Tinny2

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I see that bluebell99 has given you a wonderful description, so I won't add to it. I have pasted you a link below to the FibroAction benefits information page, and I genuinely hope that you find it useful:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Benef...

I also want to welcome you to the forum, and I really hope that you find it as useful as I do.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[jayfer]

hi, I'm in support group, live alone, but the payment is reduced as I get a private pension so income is counted in this instance-don't know if it is if the money coming in is your partners