In WRAG group

Hi all,

Had my medical about 2 weeks ago, and have now received the letter stating that I have been put in the WRAG group. I'm now contemplating whether I should appeal the decision.

I've read through the different posts, and have found them helpful, but would just like to clarify a couple of things as I cannot get through to jobcentre plus

Firstly, do I request just the ESA85,and if so is it advisable to put that request in writing or am I ok to request it over the phone?

Secondly, the letter ends by stating that - The amounts on this page apply from 15 November 2011 to 28 November 2011. Would this mean that the award is just for 2 weeks?

Last of all, the booklet enclosed with the letter is called "Jobseeker's Allowance - Disagreeing with a decision".
Is this correct, as I would have expected it to be a book on ESA, and not jobseeker's alowance

My apologies if the answers seem obvious, but my mind is racing all over the place at the moment, and I'm having no joy trying to contact them on the phone

Thanks

Mod edit - FAQ deleted

babyface1

i can only speak from my own experiance but yes i requested my esa85 over the telephone & it was sent within a week. i would also request your esa65. i dont suppose it would do any harm popping a letter in the post as well though so you have proof of request.

as for your award i cant comment, you would need to clarify that with them so maybe a letter would be for the best.

i dont know if the disageeing with a decision booklet is the same for jobseekers & esa, maybe a moderator could advise.

if your going to appeal its form GL24 you need.

best of luck

martin

babyface1 wrote:

Hi all,

Had my medical about 2 weeks ago, and have now received the letter stating that I have been put in the WRAG group. I'm now contemplating whether I should appeal the decision.

I've read through the different posts, and have found them helpful, but would just like to clarify a couple of things as I cannot get through to jobcentre plus

Firstly, do I request just the ESA85,and if so is it advisable to put that request in writing or am I ok to request it over the phone?

Secondly, the letter ends by stating that - The amounts on this page apply from 15 November 2011 to 28 November 2011. Would this mean that the award is just for 2 weeks?

Last of all, the booklet enclosed with the letter is called "Jobseeker's Allowance - Disagreeing with a decision".
Is this correct, as I would have expected it to be a book on ESA, and not jobseeker's alowance

My apologies if the answers seem obvious, but my mind is racing all over the place at the moment, and I'm having no joy trying to contact them on the phone

Thanks

Hi,

If thinking of appealing, it maybe advisable to request the ESA65 as well. In fact I would ask for all documentation relating to your claim but specify at least the ESA85/65.

Whilst you can ask over the phone, it maybe advisable to follow it up in writing (recorded delivery?) as then you have your own audit trail of what has been asked for.

As to the dates on the letter , although I have seen similar letters, ESA has continued to be paid. a 2 week review period would be farcical even for the DWP!.

However, if you are contemplating appealing, you would need to complete a GL24 'Appeal Request from). You can either ask for one when ringing/writing or you can download one from here:

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/gl24dwp.pdf

remembering of course you are time limited for returning this form.

As we usually advise, if appealing a reconsideration will be carried out, as well as the actual appeal tribunal. At either stage, there is a risk, usually small, that what you have already been awarded could be revised downwards - ie found fit for work. To avoid this, we do advise claimants to seek face to face advice to go through your claim in detail to both assess the relative 'safety' of your current award together with assessing your realistic chances of satisfying one or more descriptors needed to be placed into the Support Group.

With regards to the Jobseekers booklet, I feel that may be an error (hopefully they are not sending you a coded message!).

There is a guide to ESA and appealing in the members area of this website.

Pete


Mod edit - Martin, sorry for posting the same as you have in parts - your post was not there when I started my reply to the 1st post in this thread.

regards

Pete

Thanks Martin, I'll keep trying and hopefully will get through to them. In the meantime, i'll put it in writing.

Hope you don't mind my asking, but what is the difference between the ESA85 and ESA65

once again, Thanks

babyface 1

Thanks for your reply Pete.

I just can't seem to get through on the phone at the moment, so I'll try them first thing tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, I'll put a request in writing as suggested.

It's just so frustrating when you're on hold for such a long time and then the call gets disconnected.

babyface1 wrote:

Thanks Martin, I'll keep trying and hopefully will get through to them. In the meantime, i'll put it in writing.

Hope you don't mind my asking, but what is the difference between the ESA85 and ESA65

once again, Thanks

babyface 1

The ESA65 is the actual 'scoresheet' normally completed following a WCA medical. However it currently seems it is not always the case that one is completed. However still ask for it incase one has been completed.

The ESA85 is actual printed medical report sheet - an example of one is here:

www.whywaitforever.com/dwpatosformesa85.html

Pete