Esa support group descriptors

Last time I completed an esa50 was around 2013. The decision took around 9 months during which time I had lost my mum, had a baby and was very ill. I remember being confused about being put into the wrag and my husband rang to query it. He was told that the support group was for the terminally ill or very severly disabled, those who will never work / work again.

This was echoed at my work focused interviews, several times until they stopped forcing me to attend and did the interviews by phone. I had had enough and couldn't face formally challenging the decision because with the stress of it all I couldn't find the information I thought I had read, and put it down to health related confusion!

I've recently requested a reassessment because my health is bad. I've begun preparing to fill in the esa50 by reading through it abd the b&w guides and there it is: support group descriptors!

I plan to use the pa4 from my recent pip assessment as some of the evidence, particularly regarding mobility. Is it ok to do this? I haven't got a pip decision yet but it's such a thorough (invasive) assessment performed by a physio.

Last time around I sent copies of my dla hrm decision/medical report (post decision) but clearly the decision maker didn't take note.

I'm so cross that I didn't trust myself and the way the system is so against helping or following its own rules. The last time I applied it was two years of esa/dla/esa/dla applications and decisions I was so beaten down. Here I go again. It just makes me feel so vulnerable.

Thank you gordon,

I shall dig through my evidence pile to prove this!

I am on how your illness/disabilities affect you bit and on my third a4 page, and taking a break

Soozie

Whilst claiming esa the dwp pay/credit my national insurance. Does anyone know what class of ni they credit? And as i have requested a supersession, if i make it to the support group would these credits (5 years on ib and 4 on esa with no gaps) count to be eligible for contribution based esa (sg)?

I'm struggling to find any advice or info.

Many thanks

Suzi

Thank you gordon.

I am beyond exhausted and just need to check itis worth the time/stress. Just to clarify the second paragraph in your reply, should my application be successful, would i qualify for cb esa (sg)?

Many thanks

Soozie