Work Assesments

[nailit]

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/the-dwp-says-go-jobcentre-1226144

Story from my local paper,
This guy has had a medical assessment and been placed in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) which means that he will have to attend job centre interviews even though he is unable to work. WHY for God's sakes?
Yes, we all know that there are workshy benefit claimants, but this guy cant even get out of a car by himself. I have a nephew with the same condition and its not an easy life even trying to do everyday thing let alone seek an employer that will take you on, even if you could do a job.
I have a friend who is a sever schizophrenic (amongst other conditions) and can be a danger to both himself and others if he isn't medicated. He spent over 6 months in a psychiatric unit until they got him stabelized with meds but the down side is that his meds basically leave him doped up. He recently has been told that he is fit for work, (after a medical) the only way he would be fit for work is if he stopped taking his meds and then who knows what would happen.

These DWP medical assessments are cruel and inhumane to sick people.
Your fitness to work should be decided by your own GP and not some heartless bureaucrat with no training in your medical condition.

[Quoi]

Nailit - I agree - on the face of it this seems very wrong - but is there anyway you could highlight these issues properly to the right people who can actually do something?
I always think that bringing this stuff to a forum like ab generates sympathy (or not) but doesnt really acheive anything.

[nailit]

Quoi, what can be done? I don't know.
The thing is, is that those that are fortunate enough to be in employment have no idea just what this government put the sick, ill and disabled through in order to stop their benefits. This article
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disability-benefit-claimants-attempted-suicides-fit-to-work-assessment-i-daniel-blake-job-centre-dwp-a8119286.html
Is only a couple of months old, but says it all.

[EDDIE51]

I think it was the company ATOS who did these assessments. There was a program about them on TV. Someone managed to get a hidden recorder into a training session for new ATOS assessors. The leader was saying that ''It is our job to get people off benefits, if you can press a button you can do a job'' Then went on to say that the aim was to remove benefits from any one who 'Could do a job'.
It was revealed that over 75% of ATOS negative assessments were being overturned on appeal .

[nailit]

Its Maximus now EDDIE, even worse than ATOS
And the suicide rate of sick and ill people has doubled because of these bogus assessments.
One way of getting rid of the 'useless eaters' I supose.

[EDDIE51]

My wife was in the 'work related activity' group for a year or so, before qualifying for DLA. We applied 3 times to get her transferred to DLA but failed. Then we got a CAB advisor to do the assessment for us. This time she got full DLA in just 5 days and it was backdated 6 months.
I would advise the person in this case to do the same.

[nailit]

It does say in the original article EDDIE that he's appealing, 4 years after having gone through the same process, but why should sick/disabled people have to keep jumping through hoops all the time when they are already ill?
Mad.

[emmie]

i totally agree, but our GP's are already busy, fancy trying to get an appointment with one to do an assessment?

[youngmafbog]

I have a friend who is schizophrenic now in Switzerland. He does not claim benefits and is a valuable member of society. Ye he does submit himself to physiatrics care every so often but he deals with it and holds good job.

It all depends on if you want to give up.

[Jackdaw33]

I agree with nailit. It is cruel and inhumane. I recently heard of a case where a double amputee was declared fit for work. Medical assessments should only be done by medical professionals.

[youngmafbog]

But surely there are more factors, even a double amputee is capable of work, obviously not as a labourer though.

[Mamyalynne]

I don't think anyone is saying that all people with illnesses and or disabilities cannot work. Many many do.

Rather the system is badly organised and some are refused for no good reason then left to flounder whilst being told by the job centre that they know they'll never be able to find them work.

A large proportion of appeals are won then a few years later the same rigmarole starts again.

The cost of these appeals and accompanying tribunals must be very high, not to mention the stress worry and financial hardship to the claimant.

[youngmafbog]

//I don't think anyone is saying that all people with illnesses and or disabilities cannot work. Many many do.//

I tend to agree, but how do you tell when someone simply cnt as opposed to those that could if they tried?

In addition surely we should try to find employment for everyone no matter what their disability as i must help their sanity. Only the real problem cases, that are few, need full social support?

[Mamyalynne]

Absolutely, but don't place them in the Work Related Activity Group and make them struggle to attend every two weeks for a chat and tell them they'll never find work. As they have to the young man in the article.

As I said badly organised.

[Mamyalynne]

If you have a few days spare.

[Mamyalynne]

I can imagine, you'll never get those back.

[Mamyalynne]

Right, that's good - I think.

Apologies to Nailit for the diversion, I'll stop now.

[tamborine]

Hank Williams had SB. If your friend can read & write he could teach & help others with lesser skills, at his home if needs must. You could do same nailit....proof reading might suit you.