Work Related Activity Group

Following her attending a medical some 2/3 weeks ago, my wife has just received a telephone call from the DWP (letter awaited though) and been informed that she is to receive the new ESA benefit (she has been in receipt of Incapability Allowance though for some years).

Apparently she has been placed into the Work Related Activity Group, having scored at least 15 points - in addition, she has been told that she must attend an appointment(s)at he Job Centre – can you explain what these meetings are about please – we assume that in view of the above, she has been deemed not fit for work.

hi mike
I have just had my interview with jobcentreplus, basicially you have 3 choices !.appeal for support group (no interviews) 2. ousourced company who you will be with upto 2 years helping you find work 3. stay with jobcentreplus for the amount of time she as been given and you have 6 interviews with them.

clio wrote:

hi mike
I have just had my interview with jobcentreplus, basicially you have 3 choices !.appeal for support group (no interviews) 2. ousourced company who you will be with upto 2 years helping you find work 3. stay with jobcentreplus for the amount of time she as been given and you have 6 interviews with them.

Hi clio,

Glad to hear that you got through your WFI O.K.

Did they actually inform you that you would not have to attend any further WFI's WRA, if you appealed to go into the support group?, if so it would seem that this scenario is becoming more common.

However, as of yet, I do not believe that we have found any regs to cover this.

As I have previously said, it looks like it would be worthwhile for members to enquire re this "exemption" of attending WFI's if appealing for support group.

cheers

bro58

I believe they are referring to meetings that your wife must attend, to receive advice and support around what she IS able to do, activities,study and so on. These activities may or may not prepare her to seek employment in the future. I have attended appointments like these before and found them very useful and the people very nice, though they are not medically trained. Their references sent to the D.W.P. supporting my claim to continue were ignored however and my benefit was stopped at a later date.

This may all sound awful but try not to let it get you down. Cross each bridge as you come to it and get good legal advice just in case!

Thank you for this information, although until we receive the letter we will not know how long she has been given as you allude to.
I suppose the first thing is to consider an appeal to try and argue geting onto the support group after which if successful all well and good.
If not, then like yourself opt for the Jobcentre route - but do you know how that works - for example how long were you given - is it until another medical in so many months/years.

Hi bro58
my time in the WRAG group is 18 mth apprently this is the most time they give. he said my next telephone interview will be in about 6 mths time, but he told me to appeal before the month is up.