ESA support group.

[Foodtheif]

Am I right in thinking that someone who has a cancer diagnosis and is receiving chemo and has a big disability that means they can no longer walk or do some of the things they used to do such as cook and clean - should be in the support group? They’ve just been put in the other group and I thought they’d be in the support group. I wonder how much worse if you’d need to be to be allocated into the support group? Thanks

To be put into the support group a person must meet at least one of the support group descriptors, which you can find here:

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors

Not being able to walk does not meet the threshold if the person can possibly use a piece of equipment, including a wheelchair, to reliably mobilise themselves more than 50m unaided by another person.

Not being able to cook and clean (the house or themselves) is not necessarily relevant to the support group (though eating and drinking is), unless, for example, the reason is because the person meets the threshold for descriptor 11 (inability to initiate and complete two sequential personal actions)

Another way to the support group is through regulation 35, which states that making a person engage in work-related activity would cause significant harm to themselves or others. An example might be that pressuring the person in this way would put them at risk of suicide.

The support group has a high threshold, but this decision could be worth appealing if you read the descriptors and think your acquaintance has a good chance of meeting any of them.

Thanks. I will have a read through. They wouldn’t be able to amaze work related activities at the moment although maybe in the future. For now they may be able to get to 50m in wheelchair but I’m not sure they def could. It takes a lot out of them. No way they could work safely at all. The disability is very new and a result of the chemo. They also are at hospital several times a week - chemo / blood tests/ physio etc so wouldn’t be able to manage anything extra as it’s already exhausting.

Actually, I think if the person is actively undergoing treatment, they automatically go into the support group after 13 weeks. How long ago did your acquaintance start receiving ESA? Might be worth contacting Macmillan or a similar organisation?

Macmillan have a page about ESA:

www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/organising/benefits-and-financial-support/working-age-benefits/managing-on-a-low-income.html

Definitely look further into it!

OP the person with cancer can also apply for pip and it can get sorted pretty quick too, best of luck.

See cab or your local welfare rights

I believe they started receiving it in Jan at some point - so probabaly not quite 13 weeks yet. However they have had a letter that says they were put in the other group (not support group. Sorry can’t tho k what the other group is called) I thought that they went in to the support group if receiving chemo but now can’t find anything online that says this. McMillan nurse is a good option as they have one allocated to them. May give them a ring as I’m sure they should be in the support group. Such a stress really.

Yes they have just got confirmation that they can receive pip. They have scored full points on the mobility section (12). Would this help them be placed in the support group?

The PIP and ESA mobility descriptors are not identical, but if someone gets 12 points on just PIP's moving around question (is this the case? There are two mobility questions), I don't understand how they wouldn't get into the ESA support group. But then, I've never claimed either for mobility-based issues, so perhaps I'm reading it wrong.

That Macmillan page says that cancer patients should be placed in the SG, but the only info I can find on the government website is this from 2012. It does seem pretty clear, though:

www.gov.uk/government/news/benefits-rules-change-to-help-people-with-cancer

Glad PIP's been sorted out at least; I hope Macmillan can advise about the ESA.

I can’t remember if they got the 12 points for just one question or all mobility questions. They got the enhanced payment for mobility though. Yeah I’m thinking there must be a mistake. Will have to ring them and see what they say. I hope they put them in to the support group as it’s another £40 a week and for a single person on their own it’s reallyneeded. I also know that if they are called for work related interviews it’s going to cause more worry and stress which is not what’s needed at the moment.