Hi all,
Firstly, may I give a huge, huge "thank you" to all at B&W for the help I obtained from the website in completing my ESA50 form. I received a letter from Jobcentre+ yesterday informing me that I have been put into the Support Group - with no f2f medical! Amazing and such an enormous weight off my shoulders.

However, my letter raises a few queries, for which I would be grateful for your advice:

1) The letter does not state how long I will be in the Support Group - does this mean an indefinite period or will I be re-assessed at some point?

2) I originally made a claim for contributions-based ESA, was refused, then accepted later. In the meantime I started a separate claim for income-based ESA, sent in all the necessary documents (which the DWP say they have not received!). How do I tell if my SG award pertains to contributions-based ESA or income-related ESA - and does this make any difference at all?

3) Having been placed straight into the SG on account of my various health problems (mainly connected to Rheumatoid & Osteo Arthritis), does this mean that I am now classified by government departments as being "disabled" from the point of view of claiming extra Working Tax Credit, Council Tax Benefit, PIP etc?

Sorry to go on so and sound like a dunce, but I've never claimed any benefits before and am a bit confused.com!

Thank you so much...couldn't do this without you!

SS

Congratulations on your award and thank you for your comments about B&W.

To answer your questions.

1. ESA is effectively an indefinite award punctuated with regular re-assessment, you can find out when you are likely to be re-assessed by contacting the DWP office that dealt with your claim, there will be an entry in your computer system record.

2. You will have to speak to the DWP about whether your claim is ESA(CB) or ESA(IR), however, ESA(CB) should always be paid in preference if you are eligible. It is possible to be receiving an ESA(IR) top-up, being in the SG entitles you to payment of the Enhanced Disability Premium, also known as the Disability Income Guarantee, but it is only paid if you are receiving ESA(IR) in part or in whole.

Being in receipt of ESA(IR) passports you to a number of other benefits, free prescriptions and dental care, you should be eligible for Housing Benefit and may qualify for a discount to your Council Tax, you will need to speak to your Local Authority about this.

3. There is no longer a "disabled" classification, you would need to check your eligibility for other the other benefits you mention, there is no automatic qualification.

Gordon

Hi Gordon

Thank you very much for your sound advice. I will be contacting the relevant people once I have received my award notice from the DWP confirming that I am in the SG.

One other small point - having been placed in the SG (my condition is ongoing and not likely to improve), is there any "danger" of my later being reassessed and moved to a different group (ie WRAG?)?

Many thanks.

SS

Any re-assessment will of your health at a point in time and will result in a new Decision on your claim being made, this can to leave you in the SG for a further period, to move you to the WRAG or to find you Fit for Work, you need to approach each re-assessment as if it is your first and complete the forms in detail and provide evidence as you can.

Gordon

Hi Gordon

Oh, I see... Ok, will take each reassessment as it comes and rely on B&W to get me through, as you have this time.

I can't praise B&W highly enough, so for those of you in two minds as to whether to spend your money on it - DO IT! You'll never regret it!

Thank you so much.

Hi Sarah,

I noted one thing you mentioned; that DWP say they haven't received the info/forms you sent in for ESA (IR).

In my own experience, both DWP and JCP had 'not received' mail from me on four separate occasions, although, when challenged, two of these postings were suddenly 'found'.

Since then, I always now send important documents together with a Contents Page (so they cannot claim to have only received selected parts of your posting), and, although it costs more at a time when money is oh so tight, I now send everything by Recorded Delivery.

This means you are able to track the progress of your post online, and, as Recorded Post requires a signature, you are also able to find out who signed for the delivery and when. I've never had any further mailing 'malfunctions' since.

One tip I include for everybody; it always helps to use the Department's own terminology whenever you can, so please label any future medical evidence you submit as being the "Best Available Medical Evidence (BAME)".

Good luck

Dave