ESA - been placed in WRAG, not sure if happy...

Catherine wrote:

Phil - i think you need to ask your GP to be pretty specific regarding the support group criteria you meet, whether it be one of the descriptors or 'exceptional circumstances'. You need to make sure your GP refers to your limited capability for 'work related activity' (support group) and not just 'work' (WRAG).

Until I speak to him, I'm not really sure what he'll be prepared to do for me.

Before I filled in my ESA50, I asked him if he'd write me a medical report to go in with the form, but he told me that he doesn't just write 'reports' (because, he said that sometimes saying too much can harm a person's claim). Rather, he would answer any *specific* questions that the DWP put to him, with my permission, once I had reviewed them and given him permission to answer.

Might be the same this time. Infuriatingly, they didn't even bother to contact him the first time around before putting me in the WRAG.

It's a bit tricky, really. This guy is not my usual doctor (who retired last year) and I've only discussed my mental health with him maybe three times in ten years (seen him about other things a few times too) and those times have been mostly along the lines of 'you doing okay? you feel okay on your current meds? you keeping on keeping on? you're not taking too many tranqs?'. He does know me - but not what I'd call 'well'.

Anyhoo, I got the brown envelope today, confirming that I'm in the WRAG, as I was told on the phone.

I'm going to appeal. Need to speak to my GP first though - it was his day off today. Then I suppose that I'll contact my solicitor to represent me.

Anyone else here done this using a solicitor? I don't think that I'm going to be able to manage this on my own.

Hi Phild

I would not recommend using a solicitor to represent you at an appeal unless they specialise in benefits. Even the ones that do often have very basic training as it's not likely to be the main part of their business. Welfare Rights workers usually have far more comprehensive training.

You may be able to find help from the link below.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/faq/general#help

Good luck

Derek

Hi Derek

Can you please clarify at what point one should approach a GP/specialist/care worker etc to support an appeal? ie is it best to ask them for a supportive letter very early on in hope it will lead to an early reconsideration, or is there a form they fill in at the request of the decision maker/tribunal?

Sorry for asking what is probably a fairly basic question, but realised i don't know how 'submitting supportive evidence' actually works in practice.

Many thanks

Hi I have to attend a WFI tomorrow,after being placed in the WRAG,when I rang up after getting their paperwork back,a month ago,they said I didnt need to appeal as I had enough points,and they would send me out a copy of medical,it never came,I had to ring up twice before it arrived few days ago ,now too late to appeal what the medical says,in some parts she has contradicted herself,and say i could work in 12 months,ha,wish i could,physical and many other debilitating problems make it a struggle to get around at home.
I am so upset about all of this and stress is so bad.
Do you think i could be put in a support group after my interview,or how can i ensure it.
Lorraine

Cheers. Will look into it.

According to the Law Society website, there is one solicitor in my town who specializes in benefits - and a couple in the next town over (one of those I've had dealings with in the past and was thinking of contacting anyway).

I might make some phone calls once I've spoken to my GP, just to see how specialized they are in this area. The problem with Welfare Rights (at least round here) is that they aren't always able to represent people in person at appeals. What I really, definitely need is someone in there with me who can back me up and call those guys out if they try to ask leading questions or trip me up.