wrag

Hi

I am facing a similar problem. I lost my appeal to be put into the support group last week, and am being left in the WRAG.

I have sight problems and cannot go out unaccompanied. I want to know what I can do in this case? The reason I ask is because most of the people who accompany me work, I very rarely go out, unless I absolutely have to and that's usually to the hospital when my mum comes with me, my parents are retired, but they also have their own lives, but they do help me out an awful lot already.

I want to know what happens, as I won't be able to attend the work focused interviews? I was also told by the Pathways to Work lady I saw when I put my initial claim in that I was too ill to work, and there would be nothing they could do to help me.

So I have a very difficult situation here as I am now likely to be called up for the work focussed interviews.

What do I do?

Pusscat

hi pusscat
the problem i have is that my carer(partner) is the only person i have got to help me, we have no familly near and no friends as for the last 11 years i have not been able to socialise because of my disability issues, she needs to be with me all of the time. i feel realy guilty because she has no life, just looking after me. anyway if i get put into the wrag group and carer becomes ill i would not be able to go to meetings and run the risk of loosing benefit

Hi darrenay

I know that you and many other sick and disabled people are worrying about being found fit for work or put in the wrong group, due to the ridiculously harsh new assessment. But please don't lose focus on the group that you should be in, and have belief that you can provide all the evidence for a correct decision.

It's unfortunate that even people who the DWP place into the support group without fuss are caused a great deal of worry and stress by the process. Others have to fight through the appeal process.

Whatever the outcome of the assessment, as long as your GP who knows you better than the DWP supports you, you will be able to reclaim as well as appeal.

I have gathered that many pathways to work advisers, although the scheme is now being replaced, have the sense to recognise a claimant that's not capable of work or attending interviews. I was told myself that I should be in the support group and had my interviews deferred, even though I didn't feel that I meet support group criteria and felt that I was in the correct group. So even if you are placed in the WRAG while appealing you might not need to have to attend interviews.

Good luck

Derek

Hi all,

I have read through this whole thread and I am still not sure of the answer to my question so here goes.

As a person on high rate mobility and middle rate care, with a wife who gets carers allowance, is it still possible or even probable that I might end up in the WRAG and be expected to go for interviews etc along with my wife/carer?

Sorry if I am mis-reading this thread but would like to know your thoughs or experiences please.

Many thanks, as always

Bill

Hi Bill

I'm afraid that unlike the PCA there is no automatic exemption from the WCA due to your rate of DLA and it is never possible to second guess what group Atos will place you in.

Given the fact that some people have scored zero points in the WCA and had their score upgraded to 50+ points on appeal, I would say that anything is possible when being assessed by Atos.

That does not mean that it's probable and you will always have the right to appeal if you disagree with the decision.

Good luck

Derek

Hi Derek,

Its a right state of affairs at the moment isnt it, quite difficult to understand overall.

It will all come out in the wash I suppose.... eventually!

Many thanks for your time Derek, take care.

Bill