applying for the Support Group

I have looked through the FAQs and can't see an answer to my question, apologies if it's there and I've missed it.
I am getting contribution based ESA which will stop in Nov this year. I believe that I should qualify for the support group but don't know who to appeal to. Do I need to fill in a form or do I just write to my benefit office detailing my reasons?
I attended a tribunal in May who disallowed my ESA, I appealed that and the decision maker actually phoned me to tell me that he was overturning that decision!
I'm not sure what to do now as I am not fit for work. I hope you can point me in the right direction.
Thanks

bigduke wrote:

I have looked through the FAQs and can't see an answer to my question, apologies if it's there and I've missed it.
I am getting contribution based ESA which will stop in Nov this year. I believe that I should qualify for the support group but don't know who to appeal to. Do I need to fill in a form or do I just write to my benefit office detailing my reasons?
I attended a tribunal in May who disallowed my ESA, I appealed that and the decision maker actually phoned me to tell me that he was overturning that decision!
I'm not sure what to do now as I am not fit for work. I hope you can point me in the right direction.
Thanks

Hi BD,

Can you clarify please.

Are you saying that you received a Tribunal decision in May 2012 to disallow your ESA, you then appealed to the Upper Tier Tribunal, and the DWP Decision Maker then awarded you ESA WRAG, without your case being heard by The Upper Tier ?

bro58

Sorry, should have said medical not tribunal - brains going now!!
Went for the ATOS medical in May and was awarded nil points. I appealed and the decision maker overturned ATOS and I'm currently getting contribution based ESA which ends in Nov. I want to know how to apply for the Support Group as I am not physically able to return to work.

bigduke wrote:

Sorry, should have said medical not tribunal - brains going now!!
Went for the ATOS medical in May and was awarded nil points. I appealed and the decision maker overturned ATOS and I'm currently getting contribution based ESA which ends in Nov. I want to know how to apply for the Support Group as I am not physically able to return to work.

Hi bd,

In that case, it would seem that you were awarded WRAG at the automatic reconsideration stage of your appeal by the DWP DM, therefore your appeal did not go forward to The Appeals Tribunal.

You have two options, in that you could try and make a late appeal which can be done upto 13 months after an adverse decision if you can show good cause.

Only The Tribunal can give permission for a late appeal to be allowed, this subject is covered in the GL24 form which can be downloaded from the link on this page :

How to submit an appeal

Your other option is to ask for a supersession to your WRAG award if your condition has deteriorated, or you are suffering from new conditions since the time of the WRAG award.

You can not simply request a supersession, or request a late appeal because your entitlement to CB ESA WRAG is about to run out.

You must show how and why you feel that you qualify for entry to The Support Group.

See :

Qualifying for the Support Group

If you wish to take up either of the above options, you may wish to seek face to face professional advice, see :

Where to get advice?

bro58

Hi bd,

See also our : ESA Guides

&

ESA FAQ’s

Appeals FAQ’s

bro58

Thanks very much bro58.
This gives me something to work with.
Regards
bd