ESA support group or work related activity group?

Can someone explain what the difference is, and who decides: is it the GP or the Atos medical?

After my first medical (still awaiting appeal) I have been in work related, and went to job centred interviews, however at the moment my condition has worstened and i have more conditions; am having new medical and still going through appeal for first medical since AUGUST 09 .....dURRRR!!! Sounds crazy?? I thinks so. Wish me luck, please..... ..

i wish you all the best xx

Hi Iamawindsurfer

It's nether. A Decision Maker from the DWP makes the decision. They have to take into account all of the evidence, which includes the ATOS medical report, your ESA50 medical form, letters from your GP, and any other evidence that you provided.

Unfortunately, they generally seem to go along with the ATOS medical report and ignore the rest. You should have a better chance at the appeal tribunal, which is independent of the DWP and a complete rehearing of the case.

Good luck

Derek

Dont describe yourself as a windsurfer at the appeal tribunal if you can remember this It tends to look too dynamic for ESA. But in seriousness

1. Work Related Activity Group comes with strings attached. You are required to engage in some interviews

2 Support Group means you get yiour money without such requirements (at a slightly higher rate) for the duration, until you are no longer entitled to support group status, should that be later decided on consideration of your impairments at a later time.

Also you can be allocateed to the support group before a medical examination in some cases.

Its all there in the members guides, with lots of details

Good luck

Ta, well I WASAWINDSURFER!!!

Hi Derek, I won my ESA as a result of interview before Christmas so that's really good. The Atos interviewer was about 9/10 this time, compared to the other two I have had, both 3/10 respectively.
I've posted my win elsewhere and concerns that it only covers half of my period on ESA. All the best, hopefully to be a windsurferagainoneda y