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Do you have to do work related activies/move towards work in Support Grp?

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1 month 2 weeks ago #296470 by mumsgirl
I live in Glasgow and am still on legacy IR ESA Support Group, and have been a member of a disability benefits advisory Facebook group for approx 15 years.
It has come to their attention that some members on legacy ESA Support Group in Scotland (I don’t know if elsewhere in UK is affected as it’s just a Scottish group) have received a very disturbing letter.
It states that they have decided you have potential of work related activity and your personal adviser will help you take reasonable steps to move towards work. This could include support to manage your illness or disability. You must attend an interview or your ESA could be affected.
The admins/advisers have confirmed its a legit letter but don’t know anything else, they think it may be a pilot area test for incoming changes.
I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about these letters as I am worried sick, if they push me to do this it will push me right over the edge. This sounds more like a letter you would get for WRAG/LCW? Surely Support Group means you don’t do work related activities and move towards work? Can they actually do this without at least having a re-assessment first?
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1 month 2 weeks ago #296543 by BIS
Hi mumsgirl

I have not heard about this, so I can't tell you whether it applies to Scottish claimants only. You have confirmed it is a genuine letter and I can understand why you are disturbed by it. Quite what it means - eg they are suddenly going to be talking about people working) it is impossible to say, but It has always been the case that the DWP can choose to review people's cases at any time.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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1 month 2 weeks ago #296553 by mumsgirl
I know that they can assess you at any time but I had hoped they would send you a form first and give you time to gather evidence to send with the form and then decide if you need a face to face because im useless trying to explain things face to face at an assessment due to brain fog and other mental health issues. Hopefully I dont get one of these letters, especially as i'm waiting for my ADP to be reviewed. Worrying times indeed
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1 month 2 weeks ago #296558 by Freedricka
You cannot be required to undertake work related activity in accordance with section 54 of the ESA regulations 2008
"The Secretary of State may require a claimant who satisfies the requirements in paragraph (2) to take part in one or more work-focused interviews as a condition of continuing to be entitled to the full amount of employment and support allowance payable to the claimant.

(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) are that the claimant—

(a)is either—
(i)entitled to an employment and support allowance; or
(ii)a person in respect of whom the Secretary of State has made an award under regulation 146(1);
(b)is not a member of the support group;"

You should formally complain to the manager of your local area and Inform the benefits office you will not be attending for that reason.You may want to explain why you cannot do work related activity
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