Support Group - Special Circumstances

It's not for the DWP to decide either what evidence you choose to submit to the tribunal or what evidence the tribunal chooses to take into account when making its decision.

For example, there may be a medical report from your GP and a decision maker at the DWP may have decided that it isn't sufficient evidence for a particular part of your claim. Just because they don't think it's sufficient evidence doesn't mean that a tribunal isn't allowed to make up its own mind as to whether it's sufficient evidence.

On the other hand, when you go to appeal, it makes sense to gather all the evidence you can, so if there is any extra relevant evidence you can present to the tribunal, then that is so much the better.

Suzy3 wrote:

Well done Helga
I think one of the most important factors have not been mentioned re: WRAG - don't you get 12 months here before you are reviewed again?
In the support group - I believe it is 6 months and then another review/medical. I am informed the difference in money is approx £5 between both groups!
If and when you do attend a WFI, you maybe called to the first one and it is possible to have the others waived depending on how your illnesses/disability affects you.
Well done
xx

So are you saying people who are too sick to even think about going back to work get might get more medicals than the other group ?

There is no fixed frequency for medicals. Atos doctors give an opinion as to when a claimant's condition is likely to improve and taking that and any other evidence into account the relevant DWP decision maker decides when to call someone back in for another assessment.

Hi Survivor, sorry to bother you but this thread has thrown up a question in my mind!

ATOS said they thought I could go back to work after three months....it doesn't say from which illness/condition I would have recovered from that enabled me to do this?!

Seeing as I scored my 6 points for mental health, which I have had for years, what did the nurse think would happen within three months to cure me?

Why do they bother stating 3 months?!

Best wishes,
Rachel

ps this isn't really a question, more of a 'ponder'!

I think 3 to 6 months is standard. I was advised that my depression will improve in 6 months 'with appropriate treatment' even though I've had depression for 20 years and have been receiving treatment for most of that time.

Obviously I am not receiving the correct appropriate treatment. If only they told us what it is.

Hi Derek, you always manage to make me smile!

I think my depression started when I was 6 or 7 and no-one has come up with 'appropriate' treatment yet!

ATOS obviously believe that by telling you you WILL be better, then you will!

Rachel