Support group

General health and lifestyle
1

I got an unexpected payment today from DWP so rang them (only took 2 times trying at 30 mins wait each time for them to answer). 

Seems it's arrears from being placed in the support group from the WRAG , but nobody told me I had been put in the support group.

Ah well at least it was good news

2

excellent news, congrats.

x

3

Nice one! now you can concentrate on yourself without having to worry about being called for WRAG back to  work appointments

4

As I'm 68 I really don't have any idea about WRAG and the support group, but any extra money coming in is brilliant news.   Treat yourself 

5

Yeah thanks 

The appointments were only twice a year and lasted about 15 minutes, but it was painful sitting on their chairs and I didn't see the point of them as they usually asked the same questions and we usually just talked about online shopping .

6

Yeah sukes I'm 60 and my retirement age is 66 now , but I have been on incapacity benefit and esa for a good few years now since I got divorced and my kids grew up.

7

Total waste of taxpayers money aren't they.

 

8

As you point out you can claim ESA right up until the date when you start your State Retirement Pension.

Ironically at the moment (the date keeps changing as the retirement date does) you can claim Guaranteed Pension Credit from age 63 (male or female).

So at age 63 (currently) you would have the choice of Income Based ESA or a combination of Income and Contribution based ESA OR Guaranteed Pension Credit.

For those in the Support Group and claiming Contribution Based ESA may well be more secure for the claimants benefit if they keep their ESA entitlement and just have a top up by way of Guaranteed Pension Credit.

9

Thanks Les 

I didn't know that I'm not up to date with it all , do they let you know this or have you had to find out yourself?

10

I had to retire through ill health in 2001 and honestly cannot remember what I was actually claiming. I know I had incapacity and my hubby had carers allowance.  That stopped when he reached 65 and shortly after that I reached 60 and received the Government pension.

I was on DLA for almost 20 years when I was 'kindly invited' to apply for PIP.  Things and names change all the time don't they x

 

11

I know and they are making it harder too.

I think a lot of it relies on how you word your answers to questions now and If you didn't  have a nice decent assessor