Zero Points On My Capability For Work Assessment

[dickythecook]

I have determined that I would need to be a blind stroke victim who is drug addicted, a violent agoraphobic sociopath with one leg and no arms to fulfil any of the tested criteria. Due to the lies of the corrupt ATOS system 4½ years ago I have cost the taxpayer upwards of £30,000. If they had let me heal for another 3 months after my big toe was amputated due to osteomyelitis then none of that money would have been spent on me. Four+ years of pain and depression could have been avoided.
My care from the NHS has been exemplary likewise the Podiatry team that looked after my ulcerated foot. 12 weeks at £80 would have been an awful lot cheaper than the last four years or so on ESA On top of the bill to the NHS.
My apologies to all the taxpayers and also my thanks.
It was reading the letter from Guess that prompted me to write.
Even when my foot was at its worst I would not have passed this assessment. Hopefully back to work in 2½ months if anyone will employ a 7 toed Chef.

[GenuineclAss]

I was also tested by ATOS and declared fit for work, amassing a total of zero points. Having explained on the form that I'm Bipolar, have constant kidney, hip and leg pain, plus pain in all my other joints, (a side effect from my painkillers), he asked to look at my knees and asked me to hold my arms out in front of me. (He also asked me about my periods, which was unnecessary, as I was on Cerazette at the time and therefore didn't have periods. This tablet was written on the form, so he must have seen it). He asked me if I got Carer's Allowance for looking after my Dad. You can't claim it if you are on Sickness Benefit. My sister claimed the Carer's Allowance, but she never gave me a penny of it.
They took away my benefit of £100 per week. I had to cancel my savings account to pay the bills when my Dad died. I have been living on the money that my Dad left me in his will ever since. It won't last forever.
I'm 54 and have to sit down, lie down and get up and walk around all day, to try to control the pain. Who is going to employ me in preference to someone younger and fitter?
My sister and her boyfriend lived here for months, finally leaving when we had a blazing row, when I asked them to pay something towards the huge bills that they were running up. I had to pay £320 for utilities to get the tariff back on track. I paid for the new boiler, a powerflush and a new pump in the loft. They said that they'd pay for half of it. I'm still waiting for the money, since Feb 2 last year. In that time, they have had a conservatory built on the back on their house.
I've managed to claim PIP, which amounts to £220.40 per month. I can't afford to live here any more and don't really know what I'm going to do. I am searching round looking for things to sell, to tide me over. I'm frightened that I'm going to end up on the streets. I have no friends or family to go to and would have to sell my dog as a last resort, as I desperately don't want him to have to live like that.
None of this helps with my depression either.

[Mamyalynne]

These appointments are 'tick box' exercises and it's ridiculous some of the results they come up with.

Have you tried appealing or spoken to anyone at CAB?

[bednobs]

hi dicky - i adt to being a little confused about your post - are you saying that you scored no points but still got 30k? Result surely? if your capability assessment wasnt for esa what was it for? HHow did they prevent you getting better?
anyway, hope you get work soon - good luck

[Mamyalynne]

The ATOS test sent him back to work and that aggravated his condition so much it has cost an estimated £30k to treat him thus far.

That is how I read it.

[ummmm]

I think Dicky means he wasn't given adequate time to recover which ended in complications/depression costing the tax payer much more money.

[GenuineclAss]

Hi Mamya, I appealed and still got zero points.
I called the CAB and they said that I'd have to rely on the "Goodwill of my sister", for help with the bills. It was them who told me to try and claim PIP.

[Mamyalynne]

Goodwill? Incredible piece of advice.

[bednobs]

so cab worked for you - they also may be able to help dicky

[Sqad]

Sorry...no idea what he is saying.........but at a guess:

4.5 years ago...he had a foot ulcer (?diabetic ? ischemic) and had treatment and an amputation ( he doesn't say how long he was off work before or indeed after the operation.

ATOS assessed him and said "Oi! back to work" despite the wound not being fully healed.
The next 4 yrs was misery ,pain and depression which took the "exemplary care of the NHS" 4 years to clear up ????? 4 years and he is now blaming the ATOS for sending hi back to work.

Is that it?

[Mamyalynne]

Sparked by a different thread as Dicky states, yes - also he is apologising to the tax payers for what it has cost in extra care over these years.

He now hopes to be off ESA and back to work very soon.

[Sqad]

I would have thought he should also apologise to tax payers for the NHS taking 4.5 years to clear up a wound, that is if ANYBODY needs an apology.

[Mamyalynne]

I think it was a 'get this off my chest' thread as he isn't asking a question and hasn't returned.

[ummmm]

But Sqad...if he was to heal for an adequate amount of time he might have just needed a few follow up appointments.

[ummmm]

*left to heal.

[ummmm]

I think Dicky might not have come back to the thread because it was posted Friday at 5'ish and wasn't answer until this afternoon.

[Sqad]

ummmm.....maybe....but 4.5 years for a wound to heal following amputation...........no..........very unlikely.

[ummmm]

Dicky has mentioned depression and praised the NHS. It's ATOS he's slating.

[ummmm]

Liken it to someone being sent back to work with a broken leg and the complications that may cause.

I use that scenario because my granddad was sent back to duties too soon after being blown off a motorbike in WW2 and seriously breaking his hip. He suffered for the rest of his life.

[Sqad]

ummmm. Yes I know.....but I am querying his attack on them, by my post of 16.54.