ESA - Put in Support Group after reconsideration

I have severe ME and initially was put in the WRAG without being asked to attend a face to face medical.

The first Atos report directly contradicted the medical evidence that I submitted even though some of that evidence addressed the relevant SG descriptors.

The DWP sent my appeal papers from East Anglia to Scotland and back again. They dilly dallied for over 4 months and then decided they couldn't reconsider without asking Atos for second opinion. But this morning I got a phone call from my personal advisor at JCP (who has been very supportive) to tell me that the second Atos report is back and I am now in the SG

Such a relief. A very stressful time.

Big thanks to B&W and the B&W community which put me in an excellent position to obtain the correct outcome based on the current descriptors and legislation.

For those of you still going through the process - Don't give up, make sure you understand the relevant descriptors and time limits. If you send them anything ring and check it has been received. And check everything you are told by the DWP. The whole ESA process appears to be in flux, and it seems to me that some DWP staff have either misunderstood or put erroneous interpretations on the regulations.

Congratulations. Thank you for letting us know - and for your kind words about B+W

NEW MEMBER,just been told by phone i have been put on ESA,WRAG a bit shocked the nurse at my medical assessment said she had never had any one in with so much pain and offered to get me a cab home, sould i ask for revised decision or appeal to ill at the moment to anything, but do think i am well enough to attend 6 WFI,s at job center ?? any advise for me.

lucy2 wrote:

NEW MEMBER,just been told by phone i have been put on ESA,WRAG a bit shocked the nurse at my medical assessment said she had never had any one in with so much pain and offered to get me a cab home, sould i ask for revised decision or appeal to ill at the moment to anything, but do think i am well enough to attend 6 WFI,s at job center ?? any advise for me.

Hi L2,

As it appears that you are new to the forum, and just in case that you haven’t already done so, it may help if you read :

Welcome to Benefits and Work

You can access our FAQ’s in the yellow Spotlight Area, at the top above the forum, from here :

FAQ’s

You can search the forums for previously posted topics from here :

Searching The Forum

To see potential sources of advice, and representation, see :

Where to get advice?

You can access our ESA Guides from here :

ESA Guides

You can access our DLA Guides from here :

DLA Guides

You can access all our B&W Guides from here :

All B&W Guides

Information on Personal Independence Payment, (PIP) can be found here :

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)


If you feel that you should have been placed into The Support Group of ESA, you will have one month to lodge an appeal, on lodging your appeal, your award will be reconsidered by a different DWP Decision Maker, if the DM does not change the decision in your favour, your appeal will be sent forward to The Appeals Tribunal Service.

You can appeal using the GL24 form which is downloadable from this page :

How to submit an appeal

See also :

Is there any risk to challenging a decision?

Do I have to attend WFIs while I appeal?

How long do I have to appeal?

How long to hear an appeal?

What will I be paid while I appeal?

Qualifying for the Support Group

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

ESA Forms

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

After reading the above, please return if you have any further general questions.

It may help in future if you start a new thread for your own topic.

bro58