social contact descriptor and support group

For the support group, face to face social contact must always be precluded. Does this mean that it can only apply to people who live alone? Or might it be possible to still get into the support group for this decsriptor if you have a partner or live with your parents?

I'm asking because I need to live with my parents as I can't look after myself.

In paragraph 2.3.1.14 of the WCA Handbook it states:-

This Support Group descriptor reflects severe restriction of the ability to engage in any form of face to face social contact. This may be due to extreme anxiety or disorders of mental function where communication with others is impacted such as those with autistic spectrum disorder. Problems in this area may also be encounter by those with a psychotic illness.

Unfortunately it does not mention the extent to which social contact may be precluded and whether it includes members of the immediate family such as parents, but on page 54 of the "Employment and Support Allowance claims for Mental Health and Learning Difficulties: a guide to the limited capability for work assessment," it is said to be interpreted as "If you are ‘Always’ unable to meet with people you don’t know for social engagements, then you may qualify for the support group on the basis of descriptor 16(a).

Crazydiamond wrote:

Unfortunately it does not mention the extent to which social contact may be precluded and whether it includes members of the immediate family such as parents, but on page 54 of the "Employment and Support Allowance claims for Mental Health and Learning Difficulties: a guide to the limited capability for work assessment," it is said to be interpreted as "If you are ‘Always’ unable to meet with people you don’t know for social engagements, then you may qualify for the support group on the basis of descriptor 16(a).

CD, my version of the ESA Mental Health guide seems to say something different. Which version are you quoting from. Mine is esa_mental_mar_11.pdf?

CD, I was meant to add, in my guide it sats on page 52 "If you are ‘always’ unable to meet with people you know for social engagements then the
answer is No. You may also wish to tick tick No if this is the case for the majority of the time.
However, you will need to give full details in the ‘Use this space’ box and you are less likely
to score points for this as (16)(a) requires you to ‘always ‘ have this problem."

Do appointments with a new psychiatrist or other mental or physical health professional not previously met, fall within this I wonder ?

My opinion is that the appeals triibunals will apply a realistic interpretation to this, It appears to be intended for cases of, or including severe social phobia or similar

asdman wrote:

CD, I was meant to add, in my guide it sats on page 52 "If you are ‘always’ unable to meet with people you know for social engagements then the
answer is No. You may also wish to tick tick No if this is the case for the majority of the time.
However, you will need to give full details in the ‘Use this space’ box and you are less likely
to score points for this as (16)(a) requires you to ‘always ‘ have this problem."

You are correct. Apologies for the error, I misread the descriptor and related descriptor 16(a) to people you don't know when it actually relates to people you know.

Having identified page 52 does it now answer your question?