ESA support group

[Crazy Cat Lady]

Hi,

I've been on ESA for over a year now due to various mental and physical health problems. I was receiving £100 twice weekly for a year.

However, I received a letter today to say I've been placed in the support group and was entitled to £121 a week from January 2013 and I received a payment of nearly £3,000 in my account today. I rang them and they confirmed this is what they owed me.

Does anyone know what being placed in a support group means? I've never had to attend a medical etc - they have all my medical notes, surgical letters, psychiatrists letters.

I don't want to be on benefit and would like to try and get a part time job in the new year although it will be a struggle due to my health problems but I really do want to try. I have been seriously unwell over the last 2 years so was at a loss financially.

N x

[shadow-light]

support group means that yo are not expected to look for work essentially. I was on it for 2 years before they decided I was well enough to work and put me on JSA earlier this year. YOu can still look for work, I did, but you dont have to go into the job centre or jump through that many hoops while doing so

[The Worst Witch]

I'm slightly confused, as in your overdraft thread you say you have a job...

Anyway, apart from that slight confusion, the support group means you don't have to look for work while you're claiming the benefit, but you can if you wish.