WRAG means tested what happens in years to come

Sorry if this is covered in a guide but i could not find it. The scenario someone currently on IB is migrated to cESA and in WRAG means tested and not entitled to payment. What happens if they deteriorate and in years to come meet support group descriptors. I know the lords have made provision for those with deteriorating conditions to be allowed access to support group but this seemed to be focused on cancer. Prior to the lords debate Lord Freud was saying that people would not be entitled to entry to SG after a period of not being in the system as they would not have been paying NI contributions? U Any thoughts ideas on this?

ash wrote:

Sorry if this is covered in a guide but i could not find it. The scenario someone currently on IB is migrated to cESA and in WRAG means tested and not entitled to payment. What happens if they deteriorate and in years to come meet support group descriptors. I know the lords have made provision for those with deteriorating conditions to be allowed access to support group but this seemed to be focused on cancer. Prior to the lords debate Lord Freud was saying that people would not be entitled to entry to SG after a period of not being in the system as they would not have been paying NI contributions? U Any thoughts ideas on this?

Hi A,

Please see :

Asset rule for ESA(IR)

This recently updated page :

12 Month Limit for ESA(CB)

Also :

24 hour work rule for ESA(IR)

The Welfare Reform Bill 2011

All above from our FAQ's in the yellow Spotlight Area above the forum.

If your query is not answered there please repost here.

bro58

Isnt it the caswe that the Support Group is accessible whether or not you are on contrib based or not. The whole point recently in the refdorm bill is that the SG protects those whose contrib based expires after 12 months as well as those who are not on contrib, because they satify a test of debility that means they should not be required to engage in work related activity

I do not think a new claimant, without contribs will be denied SG status on a contrib record alone

The cancer provision under discussion was to ensure that particular group would not face a means test / lose benefit which applied to 'normal' ESA cases on contrib based

they would not be entitled Ash unless the Lords ammendments stand.

Thanks LindaT and Gordon, that is what I thought lets hope the lords amendment goes through however as my husband is blind and can't get into the support group I suppose we can only hope for an RTA or cancer to make a difference. These are bad times indeed!!!