esa awards

Hi
,I have recently been transferred from IB to ESA,and was put into the WRAG group without seeing anybody.
Has anyone else had this and did you appeal to be put into the support group.
thanks.

Sorry to be back so soon
Does anyone think it is worth appealing against WRAG award,or ccould it create more problems.
As well as physical problems,i also suffer severe anxiety and depression,and this whole process is really getting me down.
Thanks

Mod edit: please do not start new threads for the same subject

Hi citymike

It does seem unfair that you can be denied a place in the support group without even having a face-to-face assessment.

Ultimately though, only you can decide whether it's worth appealing. You need to weight-up the risk of losing the award you already have (may be small if you have solid evidence to support it) and also the likelihood of getting into the support group (quite tricky). And as you mentioned, the additional stress of the appeal verses the stress of having to attend WFIs.

Please have a close look at the guides. It is vital that if you choose to appeal that you know which descriptor(s) in the support group test that you will apply for and whether you can get evidence to support it.

Good luck

Derek

Hi citymike

I'm another IB to ESA WRAG transferee who got there without a medical (also with both physical and mental health problems). As Derek said ultimately it has to be your decision, but for me I didn't even really have to think about it. I knew that I wasn't mentally and emotionally tough enough to cope with the tribunal process due to severe depression (brought on by the IB to ESA reassessment process itself!) But having said that I know that others here are taking similar ESA WRAG decisions to the appeals process, it all depends on your own personal situation as to what decision is best for you.
Good luck and best wishes whatever you decide
Pompeylass

Hi Citymike

You could ask for a review of your decision. I would also advise that you ask the DWP for a copy of the report that was produced by ATOS so you are able to look at where you were awarded points for each descriptor.

This would then make is easier to decide if you have adequate medical evidence to support the descriptors that would get you into the support group.

If you write to the DWP and ask for the ATOS report and also state that you would will be requesting a review of the decision on receipt of the information this will buy you more time to then submit further evidence.

I would also point out that the average review period seems to be 6 months, so you may consider waiting until your review date, and then submit further evidence at that time - this will safeguard your existing award and allow you more time to gather supporting evidence, and give you some breathing space.

Good luck with it all

Chris