Support group points required confusion.

I wonder if some knowledgeable person/s could assist me. In 2011 i was scored a total of 60 points following my esa medical, as a result i was placed in wrag. I appealed against this decision and the DWP changed their decision and placed me in the Support Group.I have just received a new ESA50 and i presume that i will be sent for another medical.My concern is, what number of points are required for the support group? The 60 points from 2011 were as follows;

WALKING = 6

STANDING/SITTING = 15

BENDING/KNEELING =9

PICKING UP/MOVING = 6

MANUAL DEXTERITY =9

SPEECH =15

I have read that a lot of the descriptors have been altered, for instance Speech is zero points if you can write or type. If 60 points was only good enough on appeal, what on earth will i need to score now?

Access to the Support Group is not based on points but on meeting specific criteria (some of which score 15 points on the ESA50. You might find this FAQ helpful

Qualifying for the Support Group

Thanks Mrs H, could you just clarify something for me. On the B & W guide to claiming ESA on health grounds it states going through each category of the ESA50, those descriptors that apply to placing people directly into the Support Group. It also gives a points value, for example:

Manual Dexterity

Cannot press a button such as phone keypad = 15 points.If this is accepted as applying to you then you will be placed in the Support Group.

The above would appear that entry to the support group is on a points scored basis, as this theme is repeated throughout the guide with each 15 point score being accompanied by the same wording, You will be placed in the Support Group if this applies to you.Or am i reading it completely wrong and the points shown are irrelevant.

It just happens that some of the Support Group criteria also score 15 points.

chrisB wrote:

I wonder if some knowledgeable person/s could assist me. In 2011 i was scored a total of 60 points following my esa medical, as a result i was placed in wrag. I appealed against this decision and the DWP changed their decision and placed me in the Support Group.I have just received a new ESA50 and i presume that i will be sent for another medical.My concern is, what number of points are required for the support group? The 60 points from 2011 were as follows;

WALKING = 6

STANDING/SITTING = 15

BENDING/KNEELING =9

PICKING UP/MOVING = 6

MANUAL DEXTERITY =9

SPEECH =15

I have read that a lot of the descriptors have been altered, for instance Speech is zero points if you can write or type. If 60 points was only good enough on appeal, what on earth will i need to score now?

Hi cB,

If your last ESA50 was pre March 2011, the criteria has changed. You may well have noticed this in the new ESA50 03/11.

It is no longer "walking", it is now "mobilising" which includes the use of a manual wheelchair unaided.

Bending and kneeling has also gone.

See the actual qualifying SG Descriptors here :

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/228/schedule/2/made?view=plain

You can qualify for the SG by fulfilling at least one of the above.

The changes to the ESA50 are reflected in :

Employment and Support Allowance claims on physical health grounds: a guide to the work capability assessment. Updated July 2012
This is a fully comprehensive guide to the assessment procedure for the work-related activity group and the support group on physical grounds. (70 pages)

And/Or

Employment and Support Allowance claims for Mental Health and Learning Difficulties: a guide to the limited capability for work assessment. Updated July 2012
This is a fully comprehensive guide to the assessment procedure on mental health and learning difficulties grounds. (75 pages)

Which are the 3rd and 4th links down this page :

ESA Guides

You may wish to consider using the PDF ESA50 this time, which can be downloaded from the link on this page :

Using The PDF Version Of The ESA50 Questionnaire

See also :

ESA50 too big for the envelope

&

Sending Documents to the DWP or ATOS

It may also help to review all our : ESA FAQ’s

bro58

Thanks bro58 & Mrs H you have been most helpful.