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RE: WRAG Component for ESA

kuju2

Hi all,

I was initially put onto Contribution Based ESA back in 2011 and was put into the support group. In Dec 2018 I was changed over to Income Based ESA, Support Group. I am just about to undergo a telephone reassessment (1st one since 2011) and am just wondering, if I am put into the WRAG, will I receive the extra component for WRAG? I am really worried that because my icome based ESA claim didn't start until 2018, I will only get the rate that new claimants got after April 2017 (althouhgh there was no break between my CB ESA ending and IR starting.

The reason I am worried is because I don't think I've filled in ESA50 to the best effect to stay in the Support Group, however, I also do have substantial risk element to use because back in June 2023 when I first received the ESA50, I planned to commint suicide. If I was found Fit for Work or put in the WRAG, that would send me over the edge again.

Also, what evidence do I need for Substantial Risk? I have the GP's notes from June and also a letter from a friend who is a retired mental health professional.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

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Comments

poppy123456

Yes, you will receive the WRAG component if you were placed into this group again because your ESA claim started before the rule changes in 2017. You can also challenge that decision if you're not happy.

I can't tell you exactly what evidence you should send because i don't know anything about your health conditions. Though the evidence should be relevant and related to the exactly how your conditions affect you.

When you filled out the form did you give a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each activitiy? Ideally you should have also included detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were.

kuju2

Hi Poppy123456,

Just so I am clear, I have never been placed in the WRAG before. Will I still get the WRAG component even if I was in the contribution based ESA support group until 2018? I have always been in the Support group. (2011-2018 Contribution based) (2018-present Income Related)

Regarding the Substantial Risk. My GP noted how distressed and tearful I was and noted what plan I had for committing sucicide and the reasons why I had made the plan.

Unfortunately I only filled in the form very scantly, I was in such a state I was unable to fill it out very well. I did include a quite a bit of information under the ,how your illnesses affect you' section. Also I did give brief examples for most questions, but not very detailed ones

poppy123456

kuju2 said:

Hi Poppy123456,

Just so I am clear, I have never been placed in the WRAG before. Will I still get the WRAG component even if I was in the contribution based ESA support group until 2018? I have always been in the Support group. (2011-2018 Contribution based) (2018-present Income Related)

Yes you will because as i advised, your ESA claim started before the rule changes in 2017. Not being in the WRAG before is irrelvant.

Hopefully your review decision will be a positive one. For repeat assessments (reviews) 82% of people were placed into the Support Group. See link. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/esa-outcomes-of-work-capability-assessments-including-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-september-2023/esa-work-capability-assessments-mandatory-reconsiderations-and-appeals-september-2023

kuju2

Thank you so much Poppy123456!

I am so sorry I asked the question twice, it's only because I am worried out of my head about this telephone assessment. I have physical as well as mental health problems, so not too sure how they can assess the physical problems over the phone! I will have a look at the statistics, thank you so much for helping to try and put my mind at ease xxx

kuju2

The reason I have been worried about not having filled in the form to the best advantage is that I don't score 15 on any one descriptor alone. On the question about reaching, I put that I am unable to reach above my head. However, I didn't realise when I filled the form in, it has to be that you can do the activity:

Reliably
Repeatedly – this means as often as you need to
Safely
Within a reasonable time period – this means no more than twice as long as the time it takes a person without a disability to carry out the activity.

If this was the case, I would meet the descriptor because I am unable to reach into a top pocket if the above is applied.

poppy123456

For Support Group, it's not about scoring points. You need to satisfy at least one of the descriptors. Or substantial risk if none of the descriptors apply.