Hi, I read in benefit news that anyone appealing to me moved from WRAG to the support group are still obliged to attend further work focused interviews if jobcentre plus decide that they should.
I am currently in the support group (awaiting decision of recent ESA50 to see if I am still in that group) and I fulfil the descriptors for the support group, one in particular that I have long standing social phobia (amongst other things). If I am moved from support group to WRAG and decide to appeal, surely I cannot be expected to attend WFI's if one of the descriptors that applies to me is that all social engagement is precluded due to my social phobia and anxiety and the fact that I cannot go anywhere unfamiliar. If I can attend WFI's then I don't have a leg to stand on if I am appealing due to social phobia. I cannot physically leave the house without having a panic attack so surely I should not be expected to attend?
Yes, you are obliged to undertake WFI's whilst awaiting appeal to be put into the Support Group. If you fail to do this you could lose the WRAg component of your ESA. However, it is possible to get these held over the phone(or even, I believe, in your home) if you speak to the adviser.
