Wife put in esa wrag group and she's blind

Dont really know if im i the right place,hope someone lets me know if im not as im new here.My wife had her letter today and they have put her in the wrag group im stunned she's blind,suffers with heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.The whole thing is making her even more ill any advice please.I know we now need to go to appeal but what planet are these people on my wife is totally shocked.The questions they asked her was, did she have a garden,children and pets what sort of questions are those.she answered no to them,but i was sat there thinking what has this got to do with being blind,!!!!!!! she cant use a phone she has to have someone with her at all times,she never goes out.she cant cook due to the dangers of that.Im still picking myself up off the floor any advice anyone....much needed help here.

sonjay wrote:

Dont really know if im i the right place,hope someone lets me know if im not as im new here.My wife had her letter today and they have put her in the wrag group im stunned she's blind,suffers with heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.The whole thing is making her even more ill any advice please.I know we now need to go to appeal but what planet are these people on my wife is totally shocked.The questions they asked her was, did she have a garden,children and pets what sort of questions are those.she answered no to them,but i was sat there thinking what has this got to do with being blind,!!!!!!! she cant use a phone she has to have someone with her at all times,she never goes out.she cant cook due to the dangers of that.Im still picking myself up off the floor any advice anyone....much needed help here.

Hi SJ and welcome.

In the first instance have a read of our ESA guides from here. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/esa

There is information on appealing also here. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=70444#70446

You may wish to request copies of your wife's ESA85 Medical Report, if she had a face to face medical, or her ESA85a if she did not have a face to face.

You could also request her ESA65 written statement of reasons, which should explain why she was put into the WRAG.

Please remember that you only have 1 month from the date of the WRAG decision to submit an appeal using GL24 form.

Once you have read the guides if you have any general questions, please come back to the forum.

bro58

I am sorry to read about your wife's experience. There has been a massive change in the rule book for ESA - she would have automatically qualified for IB.

I think you need to look at the support group descriptors to identify which one/s apply to your wife and focus your appeal on that. The fact that she has to have someone with her at all times and cannot go out, are important indicators of very limited functioning.

If you can then approach her GP/specialist with a view to them writing a supportive letter/report confirming that she has lmited capability for work related activity as well as work, and submit it - hopefully a reconsideration will save your wife the stress of a lengthy appeal.

I would imagine the RNIB could also advise you and offer support.

A few months ago i went on the Hardist Hit march in London and was particularly struck by the number of blind people in the crowd.

Best wishes

Hi everyone
I;d like to thank you all for your response it's a great help my. wife just sits and crys at the moment even her antidepressants arnt working and she is on the max 45mg of matrizapam.I have rung for the medical report and they say they are sending it.I also rang for the appeals form and was told that she couldnt appeal but i was adament that they send them and eventually the woman passed me to a gentlemen who said they would send them out.I then rang the number for the report on the reasons why they put her in the wrag group and they just kept hanging up, not sure how im going to get them.any suggestions on how to get this would help Anyway my next stop is an appointment with her doctor. I think i will also write to my MP about it.Im still reeling from the shock and feel a bit useless haveing to sit and watch my wife cry.and she is a danger to herself thats why she has to have someone with her at all times well thanks once again and i'll be back to let you know how it goes

sonjay wrote:

Hi everyone
I;d like to thank you all for your response it's a great help my. wife just sits and crys at the moment even her antidepressants arnt working and she is on the max 45mg of matrizapam.I have rung for the medical report and they say they are sending it.I also rang for the appeals form and was told that she couldnt appeal but i was adament that they send them and eventually the woman passed me to a gentlemen who said they would send them out.I then rang the number for the report on the reasons why they put her in the wrag group and they just kept hanging up, not sure how im going to get them.any suggestions on how to get this would help Anyway my next stop is an appointment with her doctor. I think i will also write to my MP about it.Im still reeling from the shock and feel a bit useless haveing to sit and watch my wife cry.and she is a danger to herself thats why she has to have someone with her at all times well thanks once again and i'll be back to let you know how it goes

Hi SJ,

You can download and print off the GL24 appeals form from this post. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=70444#70446

See this thread also about problems that members are having in gaining reports etc. :

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=10&id=71222#71222

bro58