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ESA / WRAG / MRN
- Peter
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5 years 5 months ago #240290 by Peter
ESA / WRAG / MRN was created by Peter
Hi all,
I recently had an assessment at home for ESA having been in the support group for years (I'm totally housebound due to Agoraphobia / Anxiety / Depression and haven't been out of my flat for 7 years) and the result / letter came back saying I still qualify for ESA but have now been put in the WRAG group. So not knowing any better I rang to disagree with the decision and to ask them to reconsider. I was called back by a women who after me explaining why I think the decision was wrong, seemed to think that my problems were not that severe and almost told me that it was unlikely I would get the decision changed by the assessor, and informed me to get more medical evidence if possible from my GP. So I rang the surgery to see if I could speak to my doctor etc., and was told I'd have to make a phone appointment for two weeks time, as I can't go to the surgery. Now I must explain that I've had no contact with my doctor for the past seven years, so was shocked that I could speak to him sooner, as I used to be able to do so. Now my question is, what advise would you give me as I think I've been wronged by the DWP and don't know what to do. Also the stress it has already causing me has made my illness's worse. HELP!
I recently had an assessment at home for ESA having been in the support group for years (I'm totally housebound due to Agoraphobia / Anxiety / Depression and haven't been out of my flat for 7 years) and the result / letter came back saying I still qualify for ESA but have now been put in the WRAG group. So not knowing any better I rang to disagree with the decision and to ask them to reconsider. I was called back by a women who after me explaining why I think the decision was wrong, seemed to think that my problems were not that severe and almost told me that it was unlikely I would get the decision changed by the assessor, and informed me to get more medical evidence if possible from my GP. So I rang the surgery to see if I could speak to my doctor etc., and was told I'd have to make a phone appointment for two weeks time, as I can't go to the surgery. Now I must explain that I've had no contact with my doctor for the past seven years, so was shocked that I could speak to him sooner, as I used to be able to do so. Now my question is, what advise would you give me as I think I've been wronged by the DWP and don't know what to do. Also the stress it has already causing me has made my illness's worse. HELP!
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- BIS
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5 years 5 months ago #240294 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic ESA / WRAG / MRN
Hi Peter
Obviously you are allowed to put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration if you want to challenge the decision but clearly you need to consult with your doctor and you need to get more up to date medical evidence of your condition and the impact on your life. Without your GP's back up - you will struggle to get any decision over-turned.
Were you sent a statement of reasons- with your decision letter giving details of why you have been moved into the WRAG group? If you haven't then you need to request one. It should give you more idea about the thinking behind the decision.
You need to put in for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter.
I cannot tell you what you should do - the decision has to be yours, but key will be getting your doctor to write a letter, not only confirming your condition, but also explaining why you have had no contact with the GP services in this time.
BIS
Obviously you are allowed to put in for a Mandatory Reconsideration if you want to challenge the decision but clearly you need to consult with your doctor and you need to get more up to date medical evidence of your condition and the impact on your life. Without your GP's back up - you will struggle to get any decision over-turned.
Were you sent a statement of reasons- with your decision letter giving details of why you have been moved into the WRAG group? If you haven't then you need to request one. It should give you more idea about the thinking behind the decision.
You need to put in for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date on your decision letter.
I cannot tell you what you should do - the decision has to be yours, but key will be getting your doctor to write a letter, not only confirming your condition, but also explaining why you have had no contact with the GP services in this time.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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5 years 5 months ago #240299 by Peter
Replied by Peter on topic ESA / WRAG / MRN
Hi BIS.
Thank you for your reply..
Yes I understand that I will certainly need my doctor to help me / write me a letter, but I'm worried now that because I rang them requesting that they re-assess my claim that the process has already started and by the time I get to speak to my doctor, which my phone appointed isn't until two weeks time, the decision will have already been made and gone against me. Should I ring them back to see if they can delay handing over my case over to the assessor?
Thank you for your reply..
Yes I understand that I will certainly need my doctor to help me / write me a letter, but I'm worried now that because I rang them requesting that they re-assess my claim that the process has already started and by the time I get to speak to my doctor, which my phone appointed isn't until two weeks time, the decision will have already been made and gone against me. Should I ring them back to see if they can delay handing over my case over to the assessor?
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5 years 5 months ago #240301 by Peter
Replied by Peter on topic ESA / WRAG / MRN
Hi BIS.
I have received the letter explaining why the decision was made, and I scored *Going out 15 points Coping with *social situations 9 points. So should I ring them back to see if they can delay submitting my request to assess my claim again? as it's going to take two weeks before my phone appointment with my GP.
Peter.
I have received the letter explaining why the decision was made, and I scored *Going out 15 points Coping with *social situations 9 points. So should I ring them back to see if they can delay submitting my request to assess my claim again? as it's going to take two weeks before my phone appointment with my GP.
Peter.
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- Gordon
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5 years 5 months ago #240315 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic ESA / WRAG / MRN
Peter
It is very likely that the MR process has already been started, you can contact the DWP again to tell that you will be sending in additional evidence, they should allow you four weeks to do this but be aware this does include postage time.
You cannot be placed in the SG for being the Going Out activity so you will need to concentrate on Coping with social situations or find another route to the Support Group.
Gordon
It is very likely that the MR process has already been started, you can contact the DWP again to tell that you will be sending in additional evidence, they should allow you four weeks to do this but be aware this does include postage time.
You cannot be placed in the SG for being the Going Out activity so you will need to concentrate on Coping with social situations or find another route to the Support Group.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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5 years 5 months ago #240319 by Peter
Replied by Peter on topic ESA / WRAG / MRN
Gordon,
I've just rang the DWP again to ask for extra time because I can't speak to my doctor for a few weeks, and they have said they will put a note on my case, but there are no guarantees that it won't be assessed before I can get any extra documents to them.
Yeah, after reading up I can add difficulty dealing with change, and not being able to cope in social situations. Which both cause me severe anxiety.
Peter.
I've just rang the DWP again to ask for extra time because I can't speak to my doctor for a few weeks, and they have said they will put a note on my case, but there are no guarantees that it won't be assessed before I can get any extra documents to them.
Yeah, after reading up I can add difficulty dealing with change, and not being able to cope in social situations. Which both cause me severe anxiety.
Peter.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Gordon
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