WRAG to Support Group after sending appeal letter

Just wanted to say a big "Thank You" to the B&W website for the excellent information supplied.

After 6 months off work following a suicide attempt I applied for ESA. I have been fortunate enough to never have been in a position of needing to claim benefits, so this was all completely new to me. I completed the form in a panic, as I was worried about missing the deadline, and I have to admit that I did not understand some of the questions. I was called for an ATOS assessment, which my brother drove me to, and he also helped to answer a lot of the questions as I was crying throughout the process. I then heard that I had been placed in the WRAG, and received a letter informing me of the date + time the Job Centre would be phoning. I have to say that the lady who phoned was extremely nice, and explained that no information regarding my health had been shared with them, so could I give her a brief outline of my circumstances. She was surprised when she heard about my mental health, and the intense support I was still receiving, and said that she would deal with me via telephone to cut down on any anxiety for me.

In the meantime, I had found this wonderful website, and submitted an appeal using your template letter, and an additional supporting report from my Psychologist. I heard within 4 weeks that I had been moved to the Support Group, with no need to go to a Tribunal. I will be re-assessed in November.

I have to say that the ATOS report was full of errors, including making reference to the fact that "hoovering is stressful, so she does this with her sister". It should have read "shopping is stressful ...." This was just one of many errors, and how the DWP could expect to make an accurate assessment from such a report I do not know.

Again - thank you so much, I would never have found my way through the minefield without this site and forum.

Congratulations on gaining the result you deserve. Thank you for letting us know, and for your kind words about this site

You say that you will be reassessed in November, what makes you think this? Decision letters do not usually say how long the award is for, what they do mention is a November date that is used for the calculation of the Christmas 'bonus'.

To find out when to expect reassessment you can phone DWP and ask for the 'prognosis'. If you want the paperwork associated with your claim you can make a 'subject access request' to DWP

subject access request

Thank you for point that out about the November date - I did misinterpret this, as you thought!

I will write to the DWP regarding the 'prognosis', as I don't cope very well with dealing with things like this on the phone.

Once again, B&W come to the rescue!

No problem Mary, this comes up quite a lot and many people are fooled by it!