Chronic pain in spine

markcumbria

Hi everyone  I've had to fight to get a MRI it's took me 4 years after I hurt my spine and lost my job I've stated all along to the DWP I've had a spine problem because I was put on UC they even failed me on the fitness for work test I scored zero points I've now got my MRI scan results I did not have them when I had the assessment and my results don't look good Ive also been in court to fight the DWP and it got adjourned because they said I would go in the work group and because I said I can't work because of the pain iam in and use a walking to help me walk around they adjourned the case wanting my medical evidence from January 2017. Does anyone know if that's the correct group they said they would put me in my results from my MRI is as follows...  images at L3-L4 demonstrates mild annular bulge with no neural compression..... L4-L5 demonstrates annular bulge and right paracentral annular tear....  L5-S1 demonstrates right paracentral disk protrusion touching the right...T10 down to level of the sacrum sagittal sequences demonstrates multilevel degenerative disk disease affecting most of the lumbar disks ... Descending S1 nerve root within the canal associated with right posterolateral disk protrusion causing narrowing of the right exit foramina  with facet joint disease especially on the right side causing Futher narrowing of the right exit foramina. The DWP did say I would be put in the work related group at court but it's adjourned untill I get the information they want so I've got to wait even Futher for a court date would anybody know what money I would receive on benefits and how much and if that was the right group they said I would be put in my doctor is writing to the hospital  I already get pip trying to get answers from the DWP I get nowhere at all I know it's long but I've put a lot of detail in this from my results I would be very happy for the help thanks . Mark allinson 

poppy123456

Hi,

As you are waiting for a Tribunal hearing then it's nothing to do with DWP which group you are placed into. It's down to the Tribunal to decide that.

Being placed into a group isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to do any type of work and this is what they will look at when deciding.

No on on an internet forum can possibly tell you which group you should be place into because we don't know how you conditions affect you. Have you taken a look at the descriptors for both groups to see which one you think you should be placed into? This is what you should have done and then based your appeal on that and your reasons why.

If it's ESA you're claiming and your claiming started after April 2017 and you're placed into the WRAG then your money will remain at £73.10 per week. If it's Contributions based ESA you claim then this is only paid for 365 days.

If you're placed into the Support Group it will depend whether you're claiming Contributions based or Income Related. If it's Contributions based then you will receive £111.65 per week. If it's Income Related then you'll receive £128.45 per week. These figures are based on a single person claim.

Hopefully a new hearing date won't be too much longer. Good luck.

markcumbria

Hi poppy the court adjourned my case as they want my medical history from January 2017 I can get that no problem as iam at the doctors tomorrow then I can post them off and then I will just have to wait for the next court date  I also got a phone call today iam getting sent to Newcastle to see a specialist I first made my claim in January 2018 I was put on universal credit but my doctor has kept saying I was unfit due to my spine and I was threatened with sanctions on the phone also they tried even asking me to drop my appeal but I refused so whatever the outcome is with the court either unfit for work or put in the work group do the DWP have to back date the money what would be due to me 

poppy123456

If you're placed into the Support Group  then you'll receive backdated money from the 14th week of your claim. If you're placed into the WRAG then you won't receive any backdated money and you will remain on £73.10 per week because your claim started after April 2017.