ESA Support Group only for the terminally ill

[comfortmonitor]

I found out last week I have been placed in the work related activity group for ESA. I'm really disappointed but will appeal.

My partner rang the job centre to try to rearrange my "work focused interview" as I am too ill to attend. He said on the phone that is it unlikely I will ever be well enough to attend an appointment so we will be appealing the decision. The lady from the job centre said that she doubts I would get into the support group as it is for terminally ill people, so there is no point appealing

I'm pretty sure this is absolute bullshit so AIBU to think that call handlers should not give out their opinion matters like this and actually know the facts about ESA!!

That’s bollocks - it is not for terminally ill. Good luck with the appeal

No that's not true at all. Good luck

Bullshit! I am on ESA support and I'm not terminal.

In addition my main reason is mental illness.

They lie, don't listen to them.

Get help for your appeal from your local welfare rights office (usually located in social services dept) or from a good charity related to your condition.

This absolutely not true. terminally ill people can automatically be put in the support group without any kind of assessment if the appropriate form is issued by their health care professional but many people with long term illnesses that are unlikely to get better are put in the support group. People undergoing cancer treatment such as chemo or Radiotherapy that are not terminally ill are generally put in the support group whilst on treatment.

Wow
She was wrong, dd gets it and is in the support group, she is severely disabled, but healthy

My DP was that baffled he didn't know what to say! What's the point in filling in all the forms and going to an assessment if they can decide over the phone what group you're in

On the subject, does anyone know if the work focused interviews will get put on hold during the appeal process? I really can't go to one but I've been told my benefit will be stopped if I don't go or try to rearrange again

I am in the work group but unable to go to work focussed interviews, it has been a while since my first one but they came to my home for it (not sure if they do that now) and the ones I have had since have been done on the phone.

I'm on ESA for mental health and I'm on the work activity group. I had an assessment in September last year and remained in it but I'm awaiting results for another assessment as I was pregnant when I had mine in sept so have to have another no baby's born. My mental health is worse now than it was then but I think I'll still be in work related. I've never heard anything about the support group being just for terminally ill people though. The call handler was wrong wit give you that kind of information anyway. It's down to the assessors hot them. Good luck in your appeal. Also to add the work related appointments aren't very often. I've been on ESA a few years and I can't remember the last time I had to attend one

That's bollocks. You don't even have to be unlikely to get better to be in the support group. I'm in the support group for a couple of years because work related activity would have been too stressful for me. When I get my life and mental health sorted out sufficiently to cope with it, I expect they'll waste no time in moving me back.

The people at the job centre generally struggle to know their arse from their elbow - it's not their fault, all the disability employment advisors were fired.

Really Graphista? i have severe depression and anxiety and got told i wouldmt be put into the support group as its for people thatll never work, i explained i have trouble leaving the house, hell even doing things in the house but they wouldnt have it.

I also dont get why theres different amounts paid

Everyone's case is different so I can only say for myself.

I have depression, anxiety, OCD, agoraphobia, dissociative episodes, frequent panic attacks.

Currently even my door buzzer going causes panic.

I rarely get more than 3 hours sleep a night and manage maybe 2 snacks a day and have to push myself to do that.

I haven't left my flat in almost 4 months this time.

Too many triggers to list.

Frustrating, I would love to work but it would have to be something I could do flexibly from home - which basically doesn't exist.

Some days the boredom is infuriating, other days I'd struggle to write a shopping list that was remotely coherent.

Complete bullshit. My BiL has a long term non terminal condition and has been put in the support group. They are trying to put you off appealing, OP. Don't give up.

DD1 is in the support group, with a life threatening condition; but it's not terminal! It was also decided on the papers - she did not have to attend any assessment, although I requested a home visit, if they had insisted on one.

I do welfare advice. Support group ESA is definitely not just for terminal illness. I presume that you know how it works? Being placed in the Support Group is not based on points but on a) whether the claimant meets one of the Support Group descriptors or b) there's a substantial risk to the claimant or others if the claimant was placed in the Work Related Group. Support Group for MH is also really not unusual but usually the claimant would have to be under care of CMHT/psychiatrist to be considered ill enough, iyswim.