Hi, my name is Porterhouse! Has anyone had experience of the Work related activity group?

Porterhouse

Hello to everybody fighting the good fight here at Scope. Previously I was coping with my Bipolar very well in my opinion with no NHS treatment and could just about handle my quarterly visits to the JobCentre for the complete waste of every bodies time that is the Work related activity group. I should state here that I was in the Support Group while on ESA but they got me out of that when I was at a particularly low ebb. Well I was very disturbed to find that the new policy is monthly visits, that will have a severely detrimental effect on my general health. I was wondering whether anyone else had experience of the WRAG and if so had heard of similar changes where you are. All the best. Andrew.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Porterhouse, welcome to the community. Have you been able to discuss your difficulties with your work coach at all? I know sometimes that's easier said than done and not everyone gets an understanding coach. But in some cases they can help you change your commitments to something that is suitable for your health condition.

If you feel like you'd benefit from being in a different group for your health, it may be worth asking for a new health assessment to see if you can get things changed.

Are you still on ESA at the moment or have you transitioned over to Universal Credit?

Porterhouse

Thanks for the reply Rosie. Work coach is ok he has proposed alternate video appointments but that is still too much imo. Was in the ESA support group until I moved back to my parents where they got me out of that because I didn’t have the energy to fight it, as I had not long had to go to tribunal to get PIP. Also the support system here is rubbish compared to where I was when I had a lot of help from CA, Age UK and Shelter in getting the higher award after initially being awarded 0 points. I do think I’m in the wrong group now and I especially think I’ve been short changed, but I have major trust issues that the DWP won’t pass me fit after twice passing me unfit. I’m utterly bemused that Labour are going after the sick more than the Tories were doing and also been waiting since July for a PIP review decision.

Rosie_Scope

I can understand that @Porterhouse, its not the easiest process to go through and it can be pretty daunting to think about losing it. I can see what you mean about the fighting, it's not nice to have to jump through so many hoops to get what you need. But if you're missing out and the commitments are too difficult to cope with, it could still be worth trying to get assessed again.

If CA aren't in your area, you could have a look to see if there are any other local benefits advisors near you. Advicelocal have a directory to search. Totally up to you what you decide though, it's not an easy thing to go through!

Porterhouse

Thanks for the information Rosie. We do have a CA buts it’s very small and I’m always asleep when they are handing out appointments. I need to know the outcome of my PIP before trying anymore major changes, but I’ll take your advice on board. Respectfully I think we can end the conversation there as I want to push the DWP to the back of my mind. Thank you very much for making me feel welcome.