Straight into WRA without "medical" (yet)

Just short of 3 months ago the dreaded envelope arrived - and off course I came running straight to benefits and work for the brilliant guides and supports.

I took ages doing the form - then the post office messed up and did not record it as delivered so I had a series of anxious phone calls to various departments assuring them I had sent it and it was recorded to finally be told by a (shockingly) nice man from ATOS it had arrived the day after I posted it

Anyway I had a couple of weeks where I was just trying not to think about the whole thing - then as time went on and I still did not hear anything I started to get more worried - and was sure one of the days I was due payment would see it fail to materialize - then this morning another brown envelope arrived - and I was thinking "oh well here comes the "medical" and probably more grief - at least they haven't cut my money full stop". I opened the envelope to read I have been put straight into the WRA - which is where I expected to go - with no medical - at least to start with - the letter says I may also need a "work related health assessment with a medical professional" - but I am shocked and delighted for it to not be immediately.

So thank you everyone - for once the brown envelope was not bad news.

velvet wrote:

Just short of 3 months ago the dreaded envelope arrived - and off course I came running straight to benefits and work for the brilliant guides and supports.

I took ages doing the form - then the post office messed up and did not record it as delivered so I had a series of anxious phone calls to various departments assuring them I had sent it and it was recorded to finally be told by a (shockingly) nice man from ATOS it had arrived the day after I posted it

Anyway I had a couple of weeks where I was just trying not to think about the whole thing - then as time went on and I still did not hear anything I started to get more worried - and was sure one of the days I was due payment would see it fail to materialize - then this morning another brown envelope arrived - and I was thinking "oh well here comes the "medical" and probably more grief - at least they haven't cut my money full stop". I opened the envelope to read I have been put straight into the WRA - which is where I expected to go - with no medical - at least to start with - the letter says I may also need a "work related health assessment with a medical professional" - but I am shocked and delighted for it to not be immediately.

So thank you everyone - for once the brown envelope was not bad news.

Hi V,

It's good to hear that you have received the WRAG award of ESA that you thought that you were entitled to.

With regards to Work Focussed Health Related Assessments, (WFHRA) these were suspended for two years in July 2010, as far as I am aware, they have not yet been re-instated.

These links may be of interest to you :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) Updated 10/03/12

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB) – Implementation New

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

ESA Forms

How often will I be reviewed

Work Focussed Interviews

Work Programme

Cheers.

bro58

So the WFHRA is not the same as the "medical" I have got the change over sorted relatively painlessly without being "examined" by ATOS? WOW - thats better than I thought

I am on income based so as I understand it dont need to worry about limits - have not been able to work since 2006.

I will have a look at the links to double check but right now am breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Thanks again to benefits and work

velvet wrote:

So the WFHRA is not the same as the "medical" I have got the change over sorted relatively painlessly without being "examined" by ATOS? WOW - thats better than I thought

I am on income based so as I understand it dont need to worry about limits - have not been able to work since 2006.

I will have a look at the links to double check but right now am breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Thanks again to benefits and work

You are correct V, there is no 365 day limit for receipt of IR ESA.

bro58