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Information needed about WRAG

  • bittersweet
  • Topic Author
12 years 10 months ago #57523 by bittersweet
Information needed about WRAG was created by bittersweet
Hi, wondered if anybody could suggest where I could find information about the WRAG and what is expected of a claimant. Perhaps a website (where I can print off stuff) which details what is required ie. how many WFI does one have to attend, other training and how many and what other conditions are placed upon claimants or how many hours on average per week/day do the conditions take up.
My CPN wants information on WRAG to help her with writing her evidence in the hope I'm put straight in the support group.
Any information at all would be most appreciated thanks.

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12 years 10 months ago #57534 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:Information needed about WRAG
bittersweet

The Understanding ESA guide in the Members area explains the WRAG in more detail, there is also a guide to WFIs in the Work section.

I'm not aware of anything in more detail within the public domain, I often wish there was, so we could point the media at it :(

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • Catherine
12 years 10 months ago #57554 by Catherine
Replied by Catherine on topic Re:Information needed about WRAG
I think it is ridiculous if GPs, consultants, CPNs, social workers - indeed anybody Jobcentre Plus/Atos Healthcare write to for evidence concerning IB/ESA claims, are not provided with comprehensive guidelines on the criteria being used to ascertain which group someone should be placed in.

Failing to provide basic guidelines can only resullt in vulnerable claimants being denied the right benefit for their needs.

All professionals should be issued with a summary of the criteria (descriptors etc) being used, and updated when changes are introduced, as has occured recently.

It is imperative that CPNs, consultant psychiatrists etc, are aware of the support group criteria including 'exceptional circumstances' - ie 'there would be substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if he were found not to have limited capability for work related activity'.

They also need to be aware that there is a slightly different exceptional circumstances statement, ending '... limited capability for work.' which, if applied by Atos/Decision Maker, could lead to somebody being inappropriately placed in the WRAG (with the expectance to engage in work related activity) and ultimately to loss of benefit after 12 months if claiming 'contribution based' ESA.

I think it is unethical where the DWP has failed to update claimants and the professionals who support them regarding procedural changes (such as the issuing of IB50s to previosly exempt claimants) which has caused a great deal of distress.

Hope this helps you and your CPN.

Please note that there are 'support group descriptors' in addition to the exceptional circumstances criteria i have referred to in the ESA guidelines you can access on this site.

Best wishes

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  • bittersweet
  • Topic Author
12 years 10 months ago #57559 by bittersweet
Replied by bittersweet on topic Re:Information needed about WRAG
Thank you both for your help.
I'm finding it increasingly difficult to process all the information required and am getting so confused by it all now. My CPN wants me to be placed in the support group but wants as as much info as possible so she knows what's she's dealing with and how best to approach it.

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12 years 10 months ago #57566 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic Re:Information needed about WRAG
bittersweet wrote:

Thank you both for your help.
I'm finding it increasingly difficult to process all the information required and am getting so confused by it all now. My CPN wants me to be placed in the support group but wants as as much info as possible so she knows what's she's dealing with and how best to approach it.

There is no reason why you could not show your CPN a copy of our guides so she can help you with your case. It might help them to understand the dissficulties claimants have in relating their disabilities to the ESA tests.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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  • bittersweet
  • Topic Author
12 years 10 months ago #57568 by bittersweet
Replied by bittersweet on topic Re:Information needed about WRAG
Good idea Gordon, thanks.

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