ESA Appeal WRAG to Support Group Success

This is a little long so I apologise, but it is good news...

I have been on IB long term and I was called for a medical in July 2012 for the transfer to ESA, in Nov my IB was stopped (without warning) and I was not transferred to ESA.

After 26 days without money and 20+ calls to the 'Transfer team' I was told that there had been an error and I had been missed, and that I will be placed into ESA WRAG for 12 months, still not having received any letters with the information. This caused massive problems with council tax and my low income health costs etc as I could not prove my income at all, and I could not afford my prescription medication and therefore went without.

Alongside the fantastic guides, armed with my extensive medical/mental conditions I appealed immediately. I received a letter my appeal has been logged about 10 days later and I have heard nothing since this letter.

However, today I received a letter about the rise in benefits in April 2013 (£1 rise) and noticed that on the breakdown of benefits (last page) that I was now in the ESA Support group!?!

I phoned them and they said my appeal had been successful and I have been placed into the Support Group, he could not tell me for how long? but I should have received a letter in regards to the decision that had been made. Incredible!

So fantastic news at long last, which should have been the initial decision by the private nurse carrying out my medical, who decided I was fit to work.

This does makes me question the IB to ESA transfer, do they actually bother with the medical assessments? Do they just chuck most people into the WRAG group and see if they can be bothered to appeal, do they not understand the stress that they are creating, is worsening people's condition(s).

The overall way I have been treated has been appalling, with my benefit being stopped and the associated problems from other areas of local/central government, and not being updated in any way whatsoever.

All this stress had made me so ill on top of my existing conditions and I have now developed a more serious problem. and have now had to apply for DLA in regards to my mobility. I have been initially turned down, but now my condition has worsened, I will use the DLA/PIP guides to help with my appeal. I will also go to CAB to get them to help me with any future documentation and the wording.

My final words are to everyone that is being treated so badly in this process, DO NOT GIVE UP OR GIVE IN, use the great guides on Work & Benefits and appeal the disgusting way they are treating the long term sick, 'LTB' seems to be the buzz word of a private firm (alleged by former employee) themselves earning thousands for each and every person they remove from the welfare bill on long term benefits. Maybe certain ministers should look inwards before treating the long term sick so badly... Commons scandal anyone.

Hi Gordon,

Thank you for your reply.

In regards to DLA, thank you for the information, maybe I will have to wait a month and reapply on my new conditions.

hi, would also like to say a big thankyou to all at benefits and work. won appeal nil points to wrag. Told today by dwp that paperwork from tribunal has yet to arrive. Was wondering if by paperwork they mean that there may be notes made from judge ? also would i be entitled to ask for copies of this paperwork?. Was thinking if they are judges notes,they may come in handy for next time round. thanks