Non Fiscal element of ESA WRAG

Does anyone have experience of the ‘work related activities’ element of ESA. I have just been migrated into the WRAG without (thank goodness) a ‘medical.’

Though I have moderate to severe physical and mental health disabilities I would like to try and see if I could sustain the demands of work again.

I know I could never return to my previous profession - far too demanding and stressful - but...and it’s a big but given the risks...I’d like to test myself.

My fear is that if I tried, but failed, and my health deteriorated, I would be penalized by the system. There has been so much bad publicity of late about the way benefit claimants are treated and even DWP employees are speaking out about this:

“A whistleblower said staff at his jobcentre were given targets of three people a week to refer for sanctions, where benefits are removed for up to six months. He said it was part of a "culture change" since last summer that had led to competition between advisers, teams and regional offices.”
www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/apr/01/...le-benefit-sanctions

Given the above, I’d be reluctant to trust the advisor I may be allocated or any other DWP staff member. So any advise, based on legal knowledge of the benefit system, or personal experience from moderators or members would be appreciated.

If you went back to work and became ill again within 104 weeks, you could go back on the WRAG rate of ESA, but obviously, every fresh claim has its risks. On the other hand, if working proved harmful to your health, then this may of itself support a claim for ESA under an exception (for full details see our guide to ESA).

If you weren't successful in getting back on ESA, and applied for JSA instead, you would run the risk of having your JSA sanctioned for up to six months if the relevant DWP decision maker took the view that you had voluntarily made yourself unemployed. However, we do not advise on JSA on here, so for details of JSA and precisely what you can or cannot be sanctioned for, you will have to seek advice elsewhere.