Been advised to apply for 'support group'-confused

hi i have made a thread in the past of a similar subject, but im not sure how to bump old threads

i am currently in the work related activity group, and i have been told i have till February till i am finished with the work programme. however, it seems they have decided they cannot help me much more. plus the fact when having meetings with my adviser i have been getting into abit of a state. he did once give me a severe panic attack a few months ago, and ever since i think i associate him with anxiety. which makes me feel awful as i know he is just doing his job.

there are also a couple of 'mental health' advisers there, who i have become somewhat friendly with and they have let me in on information that things are going to be getting a whole lot worse, and that the DWP are putting extreme pressure on them to put even more pressure on their 'clients/customers'

they do not believe changing advisers would help me, and have strongly advised me to apply to be in the support group.
however the paperwork they gave me clearly states i cannot 'appeal' after 13 months. and its obviously been more than 13 months.
i am at a loss to understand what i am supposed to do.
do i ask for another medical? but im sure i am due one anyway, and even if i do ask for a medical, surely there is a waiting time (probably considerable), and i would have to continue with the work activity group anyway?
i have already made it perfectly clear i am not happy in the benefits system full stop, and will be studying from home in september for the foreseeable to hopefully lead to self employment at some point. (working at my own pace) i feel its the only way forward for me. but in the meantime i do not know what to do about this wrag/support group situation.
i am ever so confused and grateful for any help.
i hope i have made sense above ^

Hi.
I am sure that i should be due a medical anyway, so i imagine they probably have a huge backlog.
Would it make any difference telling them my condition has worsened? Would i not still have to wait the same amount of time regardless?

I am also confused by what exactly it is the work programme are allowed to 'force' you do to.
My adviser is getting very impatient so hes obviously under a lot of pressure.

jay wrote: Hi.
I am sure that i should be due a medical anyway, so i imagine they probably have a huge backlog.
Would it make any difference telling them my condition has worsened? Would i not still have to wait the same amount of time regardless?

I am also confused by what exactly it is the work programme are allowed to 'force' you do to.
My adviser is getting very impatient so hes obviously under a lot of pressure.

Hi j,

Yes, there are still backlogs with ESA reassessments, and reassessment are still being deferred.

See : This Topic

As members have done there, you could ring up ESA to try and find out the recommended date for your reassessment : THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

If you report a Change of Circumstances (C of C) it could end up that you are reviewed sooner, although that is an unknown !

If you do report a C of C and are placed into The SG, The SG Award will be backdated to the date of your letter requesting the review.

The one thing that you cannot be forced to do within The Work Programme or in any form of other Work Related Activity (WRA) is to actively seek or take up employment !!

As Gordon has told you they also have to take into account your disabilities and limitations when requiring you to do anything.

See :

Work Focused Interviews

Work Programme

Changes to ESA Sanctions

&

Work Programme Providers Guidance Gov.UK

Whether your adviser is under pressure or not from their superiors isn't your worry, they still have to abide by the rules.

bro58