ESA and Work Programme

Hi,

Earlier this year I was was switched from IB to ESA(IB) and placed into the WRAG without having a medical, and this week had my first WFI at the job centre.

However the WFI consisted of being handed a pamphlet about the Work Programme and being told I will be contacted to go onto it shortly. I did question this, but was advised that every person in the WRAG is now being sent to the Work Programme.

So does this mean that somehow it has been decided that I have only three months remaining on my prognosis (which would be wonderful if it was even possible!!), as per the rules for ESA and the Work Programme, or does that particular rule no longer exist?

Cheers,
Stevie

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the response.

No I didn't request a copy of that form when I was swapped to ESA in May, so is it possible to request one now do you know?

I have checked my forms and it does mention that the ESA claim runs until November, which I missed before, so perhaps this is in line with the 3 months rule.

However the JC+ advisor did recommend that I put in an appeal to be placed into the support group given my medical conditions, and that if I stated in the appeal that I was not aware that I would be placed into the Work Programme then they would allow more than the one month which has passed since my decision. So I think I may be best to try this rather than wait for my next review in November?

Cheers,
Stevie

Stevie wrote:

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for the response.

No I didn't request a copy of that form when I was swapped to ESA in May, so is it possible to request one now do you know?

I have checked my forms and it does mention that the ESA claim runs until November, which I missed before, so perhaps this is in line with the 3 months rule.

However the JC+ advisor did recommend that I put in an appeal to be placed into the support group given my medical conditions, and that if I stated in the appeal that I was not aware that I would be placed into the Work Programme then they would allow more than the one month which has passed since my decision. So I think I may be best to try this rather than wait for my next review in November?

Cheers,
Stevie

Hi S,

Yes you can still request the ESA85A and any other documentation used to make a decision on your ESA award, see :

ESA Forms

ESA medical – what forms to ask for?

You can request these verbally over the phone, but it is advisable to back this up with a written request.

You may wish to make a formal request in the form of a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the Data Protection Act 1998, see :

www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/request-for-personal-information.rtf

&

www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public.aspx

It is highly likely that the November 2012 date that you mention is not actually the date of your ESA Re-assessment.

Many members have been confused by this on their ESA award letter, it seems that the DWP use it for admin purposes only, and it has no baring on your expected review date or the length of your award.

The only way to find this out is to send for the ESA85A.

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