help please

mike1983

Can I assume that you are currently receiving IB?

The Government are planning to transfer all IB claimants to ESA over the next three years.

If successfully transfered you would be placed in one of two groups; the Work Related Activity Group and the Support Group.

The WRAG is intended for people where there is an expectation that they will, sooner rather than later, return to work, The SG is for those with little, if any hope of a return to work.

These are generalisations as there are specific criteria that have to be met for entry to the SG, and it is perfectly possible for someone to fail these, but suffer from a condition which does not improve over time, or conversely for someone to have a severe condition that improves.

Those in the WRAG, are expected to prepare for work, but are not required to actually seek employment, those in the SG are exempted from this activity.

The Support Group criteria are listed on page 25 of the Understanding ESA document in the Members are.

If you have any further questions, please come back to the forum.

mike1983

One of the big differences between ESA and other benefits, is that the tests concentrate on capabilities and not disabilities.

Having a particular illness or even combination of illnesses does not make you eligible for ESA.

There are currently 21 tests in the ESA medical, both pysical and mental, from which you need to score 15 points or more to be found unfit to work.

These are also listed in the Understanding ESA document, starting on page 16.

Gordon

mike1983 wrote:

so to get on the support group u either need to be pregnant,have a terminal illness or a serious disease like cancer thats incurable anyone else is put in the work group.

No, if you have a look at page 25 of the document there is a list of criteria, one or more which you must be able to demonstrate you meet. For example, if you are unable to walk more than 30 metres you would qualify (note: this is a cut down version of the criteria for illustration).

so if i end up on the work group i gotta work so many hours a week for my benefit and go on like 6 month long courses like new deal used to do

No, if you are put in the WRAG you are not required to work, but you will have to attend six Work Focussed Interviews, to help you prepare for work.

Hope this explains it.

Gordon