ESA Daughter WRAG

[Laura Cooke]

People laugh when I say com/dems are capable of anything but it is true they have told lie after lie, they wanting to take the bus pass away which they said they would not touch. They promised they would not privatise the NHS but they are doing spoke to a security man at the hospital noticed he had not got uniform on like he had previously he said they had been took over by a private firm that was now paying them the minimum wage instead of the £9 odd they were getting those that objected have been got rid of. This government must be the worst on record?

 

Closing Remploys how or where are some disabled going to find work? able bodied people cannot never mind the disabled. I have no doubt this government will attack Attendance Allowance next and look into pensioners benefits, they will explore anything other than tax evasion, not satisfied with the 10% cut, the rich and privileged are always looking for ways to stash the cash, so giving them a tax cut makes no difference they do not pour it back into the UK, in my view they are worse than benefit fraudsters after all what percentage is there in tax evasion? compared to benefit fraud? the rich will carry on prospering off the backs off the poor, vulnerable and disabled. I wish the MP`s revolting over the proposed changes to the Lords, would have made so much noise about benefit reform.

 

I live in hope that some MP`s/Peers will have a conscience and bring the Con/Dems to book over the way they are persecuting genuine benefit claimants, the amount of deaths that have occurred through the change in Welfare needs to be made accountable for!!!

[Laura Cooke]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/mental-health-guide

 

Mmm not sure if site team allow this link apologies if not, only this is an invaluable guide for people with mental health and debt issues and the 45 page document is free to down load

[Slatted]

You only have nothing to fear if you're one of the lucky ones who doesn't need any form of benefit.

 

Not sure even this is true any more as they are taking away a lot of employees rights. that even those on "good" money can feel scared of having that taken away on a whim..employers know they have the upper hand and that they can demand more because of fear that they will lose their job and stricter "absence managment" can punish you for being too ill for work even in the shorter term and lead to dismissal and then life on benefits.....it is all so very wrong....

[Laura Cooke]

I always say people not reliant on benefits should not pull others down and should think on about engaging their brain before their mouth, as I believe anything can happen how this country is going anyone can end up on benefit just like the story of the upper class woman in the Guardian recently who looked down on benefit claimants then was there herself through injury and was shattered to learn what it was like. Anyone simply anyone can fall from grace and favour!!!

 

We in the UK are losing Citizen Advice Bureaus, Welfare Right workers who were installed at certain GP`s, we losing Legal Aid, this government are making sure we got no one to turn to for help, again you do not have to worry if your rich and powerful as you just get a good solicitor and rich people do not need the likes of Citizens Advice, or Welfare Officers. "I think We are all in this together" rings very hollow indeed.

[Laura Cooke]

Just been looking on a site tonight reporting that DWP closing loopholes against certain groups trying to not be included in the bedroom tax coming into force in April it said strangeley the government not rushing to close loop holes for anything to do that affects the rich. Yes Robin Hood truly well and kicking robbing the poor to feed the rich

[RaeUK]

Out of interest, what loopholes are the DWP looking at? I could do with a loophole before that comes in! ...

[Laura Cooke]

It`s the loophole where it was originally stated that tenants who had housing association tenancies before 1989 were supposedly supposed to be exempt from the bedroom tax Rae

[jackieandwayne]

Now what was the name of that man - Wat Tyler - started the peasants revolt in the mid 1300's. Thats what we need right now. Has anyone noticed how much fat Cameron has around his face now as opposed to when he first got in? Grrr! I

[Laura Cooke]

Now what was the name of that man - Wat Tyler - started the peasants revolt in the mid 1300's. Thats what we need right now. Has anyone noticed how much fat Cameron has around his face now as opposed to when he first got in? Grrr! I

 

 

I cannot believe people are tolerating this injustice. When I read this morning that Osbourne wants another £65 billion of austerity cuts, my heart sank as this government thinks the only place they should take cuts from is from benefits, why don`t they make a concious decision and take it from the bankers, tax evaders, and from other rich quarters. I think the poor have been clobbered more than enough

[Nystagmite]

But somehow, there's enough money to sent to other countries...

[Laura Cooke]

But somehow, there's enough money to sent to other countries...

 

How they dare quote the amounts they dontate to overseas is insensitive at the very least and in such times as now I think we should imply the statement "Charity starts at home"

[danny222]

Your daughter will get put in the support group IF the community mental health team, or her GP or consultant writes "this lady is not in a position to hold down employment as not only she a a danger to herself, she is a serious risk to everyone around her". Don;t think for one minute they care about the danger to herself, but they will care about the risk to everyone around her. This I know because it is what was written about me which got me into the Support Group. It is a true statement about me, and as I have several friends now with bi-polar, I can bet a pound to a dollar it is true about your daughter.

 

I wouldn;t be at all surprised to hear that your daughter had a complete bi-polar "s*** fit" whilst in these awful jobcentres. And neither would I be surprised she had then been put into the correct group. It would educate every member of staff working that day in the true meaning of "bi-polar" Geez, what it takes to get these people to realise that mentally ill people are just that....!

 

I would have agreed with this until today! My son has severe OCD and cannot attend the ATOS medicals. His ESA was stopped completely in may and backdated to february. I appealed to DWP and failed. Today I attended the tribunal armed with GP and consultant evidence stating that he is at risk of death and now needs to be readmitted to hospital under section due to the stress caused by ATOS and DWP.

The judge held up the medical evidence and said "where is the medical evidence" when i pointed out he was holding it he said it was useless!!

The outcome of the tribunal : The judge telling me that he would see me again soon in the next tribunal!!!

[Laura Cooke]

Strange we been at Mental Health today and I happened to say that my daughter as got a work focused interview on Wednesday, Mental Health team already wrote a letter to ESA and my MP as and my GP and we not heard anything apparently there is a back log, even had a letter from MP Chris Grayling stating job centre had changed appointment to give her a 6 week break assuming that by then ESA would have considered our appeal to go into the support group.

 

My daughters Dr at Mental Health said nothing they write to ESA seems to make any difference and went on to say "The reassuring thing is they cannot send sick people to work" I told him he was mistaken and suggested he read the 100`s of deaths as a result of being made to take part in the work programme or who have been declared fit for work. Looks as if they do as they please DWP strange why so many are letting this happen expected it becoming a human rights issue, especially concerning Mental Health which no consideration is given at all. DWP even expect people to attend these medicals/interviews if they have agraphobia and have not left the house in years. What a flawed and discriminating service, if I was you I would consult with your MP ours as been brilliant he keeps writing without us even asking to all sorts of people we lucky to have such support, hope it bears fruit in the end

Edited August 13, 2012 by Laura Cooke

[danny222]

Strange we been at Mental Health today and I happened to say that my daughter as got a work focused interview on Wednesday, Mental Health team already wrote a letter to ESA and my MP as and my GP and we not heard anything apparently there is a back log, even had a letter from MP Chris Grayling stating job centre had changed appointment to give her a 6 week break assuming that by then ESA would have considered our appeal to go into the support group.

 

My daughters Dr at Mental Health said nothing they write to ESA seems to make any difference and went on to say "The reassuring thing is they cannot send sick people to work" I told him he was mistaken and suggested he read the 100`s of deaths as a result of being made to take part in the work programme or who have been declared fit for work. Looks as if they do as they please DWP strange why so many are letting this happen expected it becoming a human rights issue, especially concerning Mental Health which no consideration is given at all. DWP even expect people to attend these medicals/interviews if they have agraphobia and have not left the house in years. What a flawed and discriminating service, if I was you I would consult with your MP ours as been brilliant he keeps writing without us even asking to all sorts of people we lucky to have such support, hope it bears fruit in the end

 

Glad you have a sympathetic MP on your side - at least thats something!! Ours is not so good and has said that he can do nothing, complained to him that he should help and got no responce. Ive written to chris grayling and david cameron and as yet have had no responce.

I agree, they take no notice of any medical evidence at all, which is quite disturbing. If they class medical evidence as useless what hope has anybody got of proving their illness. Mentall health seems to be a real problem, it feels like they dismiss mental illness completly.

[hensteeth]

Glad you have a sympathetic MP on your side - at least thats something!! Ours is not so good and has said that he can do nothing, complained to him that he should help and got no responce. Ive written to chris grayling and david cameron and as yet have had no responce.

I agree, they take no notice of any medical evidence at all, which is quite disturbing. If they class medical evidence as useless what hope has anybody got of proving their illness. Mentall health seems to be a real problem, it feels like they dismiss mental illness completly.

 

Maybe they have come to the conclusion that mental health has lost its importance along the way with 1,000's claiming to have depression/stress but not receiving much in the way of support from the CMHT.

You do have to feel sorry for the DWP in this respect, as I know many that have used 'depression' or 'stress' as an excuse for a month or so of paid holiday from work!

[Nystagmite]

Maybe they have come to the conclusion that mental health has lost its importance along the way with 1,000's claiming to have depression/stress but not receiving much in the way of support from the CMHT.

 

Not receiving help from CMHT is irrelevant. I've been discharged and basically left to deal with it. Doesn't make my condition any less valid (it's incurable) than anyone who receives help from CMHT.

[Laura Cooke]

Still think it is a human rights issue along the way as DWP are clearly discriminating against the mentally ill this is why 2 men have challenged this in the high court I wish them well. The sick and vulnerable are the new loathed race of people, it`s very disturbing with all the propaganda the government are feeding the press that have brought about this situation.

 

I personally feel this will come back to haunt them. No one seems to be standing up for the sick, disabled and the vulnerable and David Camerons words about this group sound very hollow indeed "The sick and disabled and vulnerable have nothing to fear" I suppose these were the same words spoken to the jews as they were herded to their deaths.

 

Makes you wonder where the Con/Lib government got the idea from to work the sick to their deaths!!!!! how these people sleep at night beggars belief, my MP thinks they are a disgrace true but that is putting it mildly

[jackieandwayne]

We need a modern day Wat Tyler OR this High Court thing to go good. (And if its going to be Wat Tyler I'm voting for either Ibruk or papasmurf)! Where do the mentaly ill stand re Human Rights, if they are being discriminated against?

 

I tell you what is going to happen, someone is going to be forced into the workplace with a serious mental illness, and harm will come to someone.

 

Hensteeth, I do think that if the DWP are told that a person who is mentally ill is a danger to themselves and others then this should be taken seriously. Its a very serious statement to make, and one that would not be made lightly. As in my own case. They've been told that if I have to go to the JC or a work placement I am likely to harm someone because of my PTSD. Therefore they have left me in the support group. I am lucky this time, and to my way of thinking so is every person I may have otherwise had to come into contact with. I have limitations which help me manage my condition - outside those limitations my whole world can turn upside down and i can become a completely different person. I'm sure there are certain people who use "depression" as an excuse for a few weeks holiday. Lets hope they never encounter a clinical or reactive depression.

 

As to the mentally ill and otherwise disabled being villified - well I witnessed this first hand yesterday afternoon when one neighbour was roaring foul mouthed abuse at another nieghbour and who is seriously mentally ill. I heard the one idiot shout at him "you mentally defective retard"! It was awful and I'm sure thats not allowed. Of course it goes without saying that the person being abused is an ex-grammar school boy, and the one abusing can't even read a tape measure!

[Laura Cooke]

We need a modern day Wat Tyler OR this High Court thing to go good. (And if its going to be Wat Tyler I'm voting for either Ibruk or papasmurf)! Where do the mentaly ill stand re Human Rights, if they are being discriminated against?

 

I tell you what is going to happen, someone is going to be forced into the workplace with a serious mental illness, and harm will come to someone.

 

Hensteeth, I do think that if the DWP are told that a person who is mentally ill is a danger to themselves and others then this should be taken seriously. Its a very serious statement to make, and one that would not be made lightly. As in my own case. They've been told that if I have to go to the JC or a work placement I am likely to harm someone because of my PTSD. Therefore they have left me in the support group. I am lucky this time, and to my way of thinking so is every person I may have otherwise had to come into contact with. I have limitations which help me manage my condition - outside those limitations my whole world can turn upside down and i can become a completely different person. I'm sure there are certain people who use "depression" as an excuse for a few weeks holiday. Lets hope they never encounter a clinical or reactive depression.

 

As to the mentally ill and otherwise disabled being villified - well I witnessed this first hand yesterday afternoon when one neighbour was roaring foul mouthed abuse at another nieghbour and who is seriously mentally ill. I heard the one idiot shout at him "you mentally defective retard"! It was awful and I'm sure thats not allowed. Of course it goes without saying that the person being abused is an ex-grammar school boy, and the one abusing can't even read a tape measure!

 

It`s a crime to which you can report hate crime it is supposed to be taken very seriously now where we live the person who shouted these obsenities to the disabled person would be in serious trouble

[rainbo]

not receiving help from cmht is irrelevant. I've been discharged and basically left to deal with it. Doesn't make my condition any less valid (it's incurable) than anyone who receives help from cmht.

 

Hear Hear!

[speedfreek]

Not receiving help from CMHT is irrelevant. I've been discharged and basically left to deal with it. Doesn't make my condition any less valid (it's incurable) than anyone who receives help from CMHT.

 

Ah but it's not about us is it? It's about he brave new world we live in of pixie dust and unicorns where everybody gets better and can return to work in nice 3, 6, 9 or at max 2 year periods.

 

This means you will have to prove no matter what was said previously to the tooth fairy in line with these periods that the condition still exists.

 

Even if incurable the new mantra is it needs recent evidence that states to a 3rd party that it still exists. Unfortunately life's based on assumptions ESA more so...

 

If you have to camp outside a specialists office every 3-6 months for a pointless re-assessment then that's what you do. Maybe just maybe the increase in people doing this will start showing up in the NHS stats (remember the Government want these stats as low as possible to support cuts) and specialists will start getting might peeved (hopefully seething) at seeing us all every 3 months (remember they're as lazy as the rest of us so pointless stuff gets on their nerves) they start taking notice and complaining.

 

It's like when I signed up for a new GP Practice I took my big file of shizzle and at the start went I suffer from X here's my referral letters A, B & C. New GP has a quick read whilst I explained what stage my current referral was at. New GP didn't have to do anything but believe me which they did instantly and offered to take over my current referral and put support into place until that happened.

 

Made a real change from sitting there explaining over and over again yes I look normal, yes I'm talking to you in an intelligent/cognitive way but actually I spend most days dribbling uncontrollably into my corn flakes.

 

I've had a thought about this evidence gathering business.... I'm wondering if there is any mileage in having a go at the DWP with a complaint/maladministration to recover any report fees? Well their customer charter does say any action/decision that leads to financial loss you should be put back into the position you were before hand. As long as you win and you're out of pocket then it's worth a punt.

 

I wonder if that's already been tried? It's a bit left field and would be fought all the way but maybe just maybe if the circumstances were right....

[Laura Cooke]

Yes it does matter to the powers that be that your under the Mental Health team as in their view if your not your condition cannot be that serious. They look for every excuse to be able to dismiss you as being ok unless you can get substantial evidence to the contrary.

 

 

The one and only thing it is about is getting people off benefits and into work that does not even exist, bringing about more depression and ill health. No money is being saved due to the enormous amount of appeals (They will find a way round stopping them next). What it as cost in appeals I would say this con/Lib government have not saved anything. Some people will not just accept the injustices and unfair ways Atos operate they will fight back, I am just surprised that not many people seem to be fighting for the disabled, sick and vulnerable it could be that many believe the propaganda that as been fed to the tabloids.

 

It is also unfair to take evidence from the Atos report to make decisions for DLA, this 20 odd minute assessment is not enough to make a full and detailed report about one`s disability and how it affects them in day to day life, as it is biased and aimed at getting the person back into work so not a great deal in the persons favour towards their disability will be highlighted.

 

I eagerly await the tables turning on this unjust system with Atos/Dla but I will not hold my breathe I think far to much is going off behind the scenes to prevent this, one day all this may be exposed.

[danny222]

Yes it does matter to the powers that be that your under the Mental Health team as in their view if your not your condition cannot be that serious. They look for every excuse to be able to dismiss you as being ok unless you can get substantial evidence to the contrary.

 

 

The one and only thing it is about is getting people off benefits and into work that does not even exist, bringing about more depression and ill health. No money is being saved due to the enormous amount of appeals (They will find a way round stopping them next). What it as cost in appeals I would say this con/Lib government have not saved anything. Some people will not just accept the injustices and unfair ways Atos operate they will fight back, I am just surprised that not many people seem to be fighting for the disabled, sick and vulnerable it could be that many believe the propaganda that as been fed to the tabloids.

 

It is also unfair to take evidence from the Atos report to make decisions for DLA, this 20 odd minute assessment is not enough to make a full and detailed report about one`s disability and how it affects them in day to day life, as it is biased and aimed at getting the person back into work so not a great deal in the persons favour towards their disability will be highlighted.

 

I eagerly await the tables turning on this unjust system with Atos/Dla but I will not hold my breathe I think far to much is going off behind the scenes to prevent this, one day all this may be exposed.

 

Lets not hold our breath while waiting for this shambolic system to change. It's only going to get worse. ATOS are bidding for the contract to assess DLA (think that starts in 2013). Things look like they are only going to get worse.

 

Having to attend medicals for ESA and DLA will push those already on the brink completely over the edge. As far as ATOS and DWP are concerned, the more people that commit suicide the better their figures will look. xx

[Laura Cooke]

Lets not hold our breath while waiting for this shambolic system to change. It's only going to get worse. ATOS are bidding for the contract to assess DLA (think that starts in 2013). Things look like they are only going to get worse.

 

Having to attend medicals for ESA and DLA will push those already on the brink completely over the edge. As far as ATOS and DWP are concerned, the more people that commit suicide the better their figures will look. xx

 

 

Agree I just wonder what MP/Lord/establishment/Charity is going to stand up on behalf of the vulnerable and say "enough is enough" where are the human rights activists, silence as been very golden. From what I have seen it will be interesting to see who will be classed as disabled and qualify for DLA as having no limbs does not, being reliant on someone for toiletry needs does not, blind, deaf does not so who we got left, cancer does not act as a disability poor buggers being asked to work with it as if they have not got enough to worry about, what a soulless government this is words fail me they really do

[Nystagmite]

ancer does not act as a disability poor buggers being asked to work with it as if they have not got enough to worry about,

 

And whose going to employ someone who constantly needs time off for medical appointments? I know we have the Equalities Act; but being realistic, you're going to need someone (disabled or not) who can work and not need time off all the time.