Work Related Activity Group - Experiences?

Can anyone give me an idea of what they have been asked to do in respect of the work related activity group?

Forgive me if there is a thread already, I did look.

Also is there a time limit?

Best Wishes to all.

rosyposy wrote:

Can anyone give me an idea of what they have been asked to do in respect of the work related activity group?

Forgive me if there is a thread already, I did look.

Also is there a time limit?

Best Wishes to all.

Hi RP,

I refer you back to the information on these links :

Work Focussed Interviews, (WFI’s)

Work Programme

Other members may wish to add their own comments also.

bro58

rosyposy wrote:

Can anyone give me an idea of what they have been asked to do in respect of the work related activity group?

Forgive me if there is a thread already, I did look.

Also is there a time limit?

Best Wishes to all.

Hi Rosy

I can but give you my own experience so far after being placed in the WRAG section of ESA. As I've not long replied to another member on here, we're all different and we all have and live with different circumstances and disabilities.

I worried a lot about the ESA transfer from Incap Ben. I honestly couldn't/can't see how I could hold down a job, no matter how short a working week could be offered. I assumed that I would be automatically placed into the Support Group, so when I received DWP's decision that I was placed in WRAG, I asked a lot of questions.

In a nutshell I was finally convinced that WRAG would be suitable for me....( tbh I'm just too tired of it all to go thru an appeal).
I was 'invited' for a 'discussion' at my local Job Centre......You HAVE to keep the appointment by the way. Whilst the invitation came in form of a letter, it stated 'interview' but I was assured it was only a discussion....should last an hour. I was also told that at no time would I be pressured into returning to work, but the discussions were to see if there was any help I needed to get back into employment once more. (My disability has kept me off work for 22 1/2 years....and I was told by the DWP I "might get better".....I wish )
In all honesty my interview went well, and the Advisor basically went thru' the motions, I think realising that I wasn't going to be the next James Bond and also reminded me that I was 61 years old.
The discussion or whatever they want to call it lasted about 1/2 an hour and I went away, and just wait for the next time they will want to see me. The Advisor also was surprised that I was awarded ESA for 2 (two) years which she said was unusual......I did ask the DWP to look at my application again, and as a result they increased my 'award' by a further year (to 3years.....10 months away from retirement.

I guess I'd like to say to your husband, don't worry and inwardly perhaps I'm no longer that worried about being in the WRAG of ESA, but after 22 1/2 years experiencing some of the attitudes, treatment, unfairness and wrong advice given to me by some DSS staff/medicals etc., I'm sorry but there is a very large feeling of total distrust running thru' me when it comes to all things about the Government and benefit system.

With ESA put to the background for a while, now I can go off and worry about the distinct possibility of losing my Motability car with PIP waiting for us all.

I do hope things work out well for you and your husband......All the Best

gdcornwall wrote:

rosyposy wrote:

Can anyone give me an idea of what they have been asked to do in respect of the work related activity group?

Forgive me if there is a thread already, I did look.

Also is there a time limit?

Best Wishes to all.

Hi Rosy

I can but give you my own experience so far after being placed in the WRAG section of ESA. As I've not long replied to another member on here, we're all different and we all have and live with different circumstances and disabilities.

I worried a lot about the ESA transfer from Incap Ben. I honestly couldn't/can't see how I could hold down a job, no matter how short a working week could be offered. I assumed that I would be automatically placed into the Support Group, so when I received DWP's decision that I was placed in WRAG, I asked a lot of questions.

In a nutshell I was finally convinced that WRAG would be suitable for me....( tbh I'm just too tired of it all to go thru an appeal).
I was 'invited' for a 'discussion' at my local Job Centre......You HAVE to keep the appointment by the way. Whilst the invitation came in form of a letter, it stated 'interview' but I was assured it was only a discussion....should last an hour. I was also told that at no time would I be pressured into returning to work, but the discussions were to see if there was any help I needed to get back into employment once more. (My disability has kept me off work for 22 1/2 years....and I was told by the DWP I "might get better".....I wish )
In all honesty my interview went well, and the Advisor basically went thru' the motions, I think realising that I wasn't going to be the next James Bond and also reminded me that I was 61 years old.
The discussion or whatever they want to call it lasted about 1/2 an hour and I went away, and just wait for the next time they will want to see me. The Advisor also was surprised that I was awarded ESA for 2 (two) years which she said was unusual......I did ask the DWP to look at my application again, and as a result they increased my 'award' by a further year (to 3years.....10 months away from retirement.

I guess I'd like to say to your husband, don't worry and inwardly perhaps I'm no longer that worried about being in the WRAG of ESA, but after 22 1/2 years experiencing some of the attitudes, treatment, unfairness and wrong advice given to me by some DSS staff/medicals etc., I'm sorry but there is a very large feeling of total distrust running thru' me when it comes to all things about the Government and benefit system.

With ESA put to the background for a while, now I can go off and worry about the distinct possibility of losing my Motability car with PIP waiting for us all.

I do hope things work out well for you and your husband......All the Best

Hi GDC,

Could you please keep any future posts to a shorter format.

All members posts appear in a pre-approval area, where the Moderators have to check for any inappropriate content.

The posts appear as one solid block of text there, and it can be most difficult to check long posts.

Thankyou, in anticipation of your future co-operation in this matter.

bro58

hello,
while the moderator's comments are fair , I was delighted to read an honest, frank & helpful account of a claimant's
work-related activity experience. The comments may have been lengthy, but let us not lose sight of the value of claimants'
views & opinions. At some point in the future
they may be the most valuable memory of our
stress-ful experiences, namely helping.

Thank you gd, that has been most helpful. I'm not as worked up now if I have to go to the interviews.

Jessica