63 and placed in WRAG!

Hi there

My husband has just been transferred from IB to ESA but placed in the WRA group. It took 7 weeks to get the decision but he did not have to have a medical. There is no way he can work, but he is 63 so I don’t think he can be made to attend the WFIs. He has a heart condition, osteo arthritis (he has had 2 total hip replacements), a collagen defect and since the hip replacements has been diagnosed with chronic fibromyalgia. He had an Atos medical when on IB and he was signed off for 5 years which should have ended next year June 2014.

He is very stressed and has decided not to appeal as he is frightened the added stress will make life unbearable. The line of least resistance is to go with the flow. No one will employ a sick 63 year old who has been out of work for nearly 5 years anyway. The whole process is frustrating; I had to reduce my hours of work to look after him so goodness only knows why they think he can prepare for work! Still you all know how it is! He phoned Job Centre Plus and found out that he is due for review December 2014 when he will be 64 and 7 months! I wonder what will happen then. We are both looking forward to him reaching 65 when there will be an end to all this stress.

I used your guides and at least he was not told he was actually fit for work! So thanks anyway, and any advice you have to give us now would be well received! How have other people got on who are going through the same process in their 60s?

Hi P
I would definitely go for an appeal you have nothing to lose
You still have another 2 chances to be placed in the support group,
1/ reconsideration/appeal which can be given in your favour
2/ Tribunal, although it is recommendedand a higher success rate attending the Tribunal you do not need to attend if it is causing stress, you can have a paper hearing

no body is safe anymore a mate of mine 74 years young and put on wrag makes you think

I was Going to say that at 74 its impossible to be on ESA and your friend should be left alone once
he Reached 65 years of Age, and should have R/P.
However Knowing how much Pressure the Staff are under at the DWP with ALL the Changes going
through, you never Know Nowdays. We will ALL be Climbing Chimneys Soon.