IB TO ESA WRAG

Finally receive call from DWP Aberdeen today advising me that I will be moved from IB to ESA Work Related Activity Group on 7 October 2011. I now await a letter from Job Centre plus but what should I expect after that? Previously, I had worked full time for 35 years until in Sept 2005 I was forced due to ill health to give up my job. I have had 9 operations since that time. I appreciate any advice on what I can expect next or there is any other action I should be taking against this decision. Thank you.

jools wrote:

Finally receive call from DWP Aberdeen today advising me that I will be moved from IB to ESA Work Related Activity Group on 7 October 2011. I now await a letter from Job Centre plus but what should I expect after that? Previously, I had worked full time for 35 years until in Sept 2005 I was forced due to ill health to give up my job. I have had 9 operations since that time. I appreciate any advice on what I can expect next or there is any other action I should be taking against this decision. Thank you.

Hi J,

You could request copy of your medical report, to see how you were assessed as qualifying for WRAG.

You could also request copy of your ESA65 written statement of reasons.

Both can be obtained from the ESA Decision Maker, based at the office dealing with your ESA.

Recently many members have been put into WRAG without a medical.

You can either accept the decision, in which case you may be required to attend WFI's or WRA.

Or you can appeal the decision within one month of receiving written confirmation of said decision.

Please be aware that there is some risk involved if you decide to appeal to go into the support group, in that you could lose your WRAG award.

Have a look at the ESA guides in the orange MEMBERS ONLY area on the left, which includes appeals.

If you then have any specific questions come back to the forum.

If you put WRAG into the search engine at the top right of the page many threads will come up re : this.

Hope this helps

bro58.

bro58 wrote:

jools wrote:

Finally receive call from DWP Aberdeen today advising me that I will be moved from IB to ESA Work Related Activity Group on 7 October 2011. I now await a letter from Job Centre plus but what should I expect after that? Previously, I had worked full time for 35 years until in Sept 2005 I was forced due to ill health to give up my job. I have had 9 operations since that time. I appreciate any advice on what I can expect next or there is any other action I should be taking against this decision. Thank you.

Hi J,

You could request copy of your medical report, to see how you were assessed as qualifying for WRAG.

You could also request copy of your ESA65 written statement of reasons.

Both can be obtained from the ESA Decision Maker, based at the office dealing with your ESA.

Recently many members have been put into WRAG without a medical.

You can either accept the decision, in which case you may be required to attend WFI's or WRA.

Or you can appeal the decision within one month of receiving written confirmation of said decision.

Please be aware that there is some risk involved if you decide to appeal to go into the support group, in that you could lose your WRAG award.

Have a look at the ESA guides in the orange MEMBERS ONLY area on the left, which includes appeals.

If you then have any specific questions come back to the forum.

If you put WRAG into the search engine at the top right of the page many threads will come up re : this.

Hope this helps

bro58.

HI J,

Use the search facility directly above the Logout box.

cheers

bro58

Thank you for your valued advice. I feel too unwell to battle with appeals etc and also know that I am not fit enough to be dragged into Jobcentre plus for WRAG or WFI's so I have decided to totally opt out and try to live on my meagre occupational pension. I have to wait another 5/6 years for my state pension but I don't want to spend my time in a total state of anxiety worrying about what the DWP will come up with next, I am just not well enough to cope with any of it. Does anyone else feel like me?

jools wrote:

Thank you for your valued advice. I feel too unwell to battle with appeals etc and also know that I am not fit enough to be dragged into Jobcentre plus for WRAG or WFI's so I have decided to totally opt out and try to live on my meagre occupational pension. I have to wait another 5/6 years for my state pension but I don't want to spend my time in a total state of anxiety worrying about what the DWP will come up with next, I am just not well enough to cope with any of it. Does anyone else feel like me?

Hi J,

Have you thought of trying the CAB you can check if you have one locally from the link below. :

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cabdir.ihtml

Further, if you decide not to appeal being placed in the WRAG, it is possible to request that the WFI's are carried out over the phone, or even in your home.

If your limitations stop you attending the WFI's, they can be deferred, many members have found this after an initial WFI.

Could you enlist the support of your G.P. in getting the WFI's deferred?.

Have you thought seriously about simply opting out, and the possible implications with you NI credits?.


You have nothing to lose in trying to get the WFI's deferred, even if you failed to attend, the Decision Maker would have to investigate your reasons before reducing your benefit, as it is not stopped all together straight away.

I understand your comments about not being well enough to fight, but please think this over carefully before opting out.

cheers

bro58

Hi Jools,

I am in a similar situation to you, I was placed in the wrag in august without a medical, I too have a pension from the prison service due to medical retirement, if I accept things as they are I will lose everything next august anyway, so why lie down and accept it, I have started my appeal, it will be a long time waiting anyway and I can withdraw at anytime but who knows what lies in front of us, I have giving this country 30 years dedicated service, the falklands. desert storm etc, all I want is alittle help, do not give in.