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Robert Naether
14th April 2010 at 09:28
8 comments

What have you go to say about this then, if your still here that is…

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Tens of thousands of claimants facing losing their benefit on review, or on being transferred from incapacity benefit, as plans to make the employment and support allowance (ESA) medical much harder to pass are approved by the secretary of state for work and pensions, Yvette Cooper.

The shock plans for ‘simplifying’ the work capability assessment, drawn up by a DWP working group, include docking points from amputees who can lift and carry with their stumps. Claimants with speech problems who can write a sign saying, for example, ‘The office is on fire!’ will score no points for speech and deaf claimants who can read the sign will lose all their points for hearing.

Meanwhile, for ‘health and safety reasons’ all points scored for problems with bending and kneeling are to be abolished and claimants who have difficulty walking can be assessed using imaginary wheelchairs.

Claimants who have difficulty standing for any length of time will, under the plans, also have to show they have equal difficulty sitting, and vice versa, in order to score any points. And no matter how bad their problems with standing and sitting, they will not score enough points to be awarded ESA.

In addition, almost half of the 41 mental health descriptors for which points can be scored are being removed from the new ‘simpler’ test, greatly reducing the chances of being found incapable of work due to such things as poor memory, confusion, depression and anxiety.

There are some improvements to the test under the plans, including exemptions for people likely to be starting chemotherapy and more mental health grounds for being admitted to the support group. But the changes are overwhelmingly about pushing tens of thousands more people onto JSA.

If all this sounds like a sick and rather belated April Fools joke to you, we’re not surprised. But the proposals are genuine and have already been officially agreed by Yvette Cooper, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. They have not yet been passed into law, but given that both Labour and the Conservatives seem intent on driving as many people as possible off incapacity related benefits, they are likely to be pursued by whichever party wins the election.

We know that many people will find this news deeply upsetting and even frightening and we know that some people will condemn us for publicising the planned changes or for the language that we are using to do so. But we also believe that it’s not too late to stop these ugly plans in their tracks if claimants and the organisations that represent them act now.

With 1.5 million incapacity benefit claimants waiting to be assessed using the work capability assessment in the next few years and tens of thousands of people already on ESA and set to be reviewed annually, these changes will be of great concern to many voters – if they find out about them before polling day.

So, please spread the word in forums and blogs and to people you know who may be affected. Ask any disability charity you have a connection with to speak out now, before election day, against these plans. You might also want to contact local newspapers and radio to warn people about the proposals.

And above all, contact not just your MP, but the other candidates in your constituency, and let them know you will not be voting for anyone who does not loudly condemn this shameful attack on sick and disabled claimants.

These plans really are a potential seat loser, but only if enough people know about them.

Members can read a detailed breakdown of the changes – and who is responsible for them – in our examination of the revised work capability assessment in the members only news section.

Comments

on 16th April 2010 at 10:40, Robert Naether said:

Hellooooo anyone there,, seems not, why waste money joining if people do not care enough to answer.

on 17th April 2010 at 14:18, Billy McLean said:

It’s very concerning Robert. I can’t work at the moment due to stress and anxiety problems linked to my Aspergers, and I’m going through the draining process of applying for ESA at the moment. I have real concerns that they will assess me and come to the conclusion that I should be forced back into work, which will only lead to me becoming ill again and back to square one. I don’t have all the answers as to what we should do, but your ideas seem very good, and I’m fully behind you mate!

on 17th April 2010 at 14:23, Robert Naether said:

Thanks sadly the fight is going nowhere until some of these dam MP’s get the message, at the moment they are all tied up with how much money they can make, or steal.

I’m paraplegic with severe spinal injuries, and I’ve been told I’m OK to work, but the idea is not to get us into work, but to leave us on JSA without any hope so brown can with pride say his cuts have worked , it’s the poorest in society who are paying for this down turn not the richest, it also shows the death of the last dregs of socialism within the Labour party

on 18th April 2010 at 12:32, Billy McLean said:

I certainly agree with you on your latter point Robert, that the poorest in our society are bearing the brunt of this recession, and the brunt of the cost paid for it, not those who actually created it. I would caution you against labelling ALL MP’s as thieves and spivs though, certainly John McDonnell MP and Jeremy Corbyn MP are very honourable exceptions. Even my own local Labour MP Barbara Keeley, who is New Labour on national and international issues, but a very good campaigner on local issues, like fighting for better support for carers, for those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and in fighting Peel Holdings in trying to develop in our area against the wishes of the majority of local residents.

You should find out the number for Welfare Rights in your area and speak to them, or failing that the CAB. It’s not right that you should be on JSA, even by the governments new, tougher rules.

on 18th April 2010 at 12:36, Robert Naether said:

sadly I would agree on maybe two or three MP’s the rest I’d not bother with, Autistic Spectrum Disorder would not be good enough to have a person classed as disabled under labour’s new rules.

Or losing both legs or both hands if one can use the stumps.

I’m a trained welfare advisor and have been been for three years.

on 18th April 2010 at 13:41, Billy McLean said:

Ahhh OK I didn’t realise Robert, probably should’ve read your initial post more carefully sorry.

I’m still going through my claim at the moment, had to send them last 3 months worth of pay slips and various other bits, might have to chase them up this week. I’ve heard that having an ASD doesn’t now class you as disabled. The Autism Act is an important step forward, it’s just about keeping up the pressure now to make sure that it’s translated into real concrete action.

The point about not being considered officially disabled if you can use your stumps is especially sickening, but sadly not surprising.

on 18th April 2010 at 13:48, Robert Naether said:

Sadly it’s not getting ESA that’s the problem it’s the new medical or as people called it the PCA, it’s now almost impossible to be classed as disabled. Most mental health problems will be deemed mild, and you will be deemed able to work.

The new medical to see if you can work is in fact an insult, I mean I can work, even classed as paraplegic if the help is in place I can work, the problem is I’m expected to find ordinary work.

I’m in a wheelchair I have a urine bag, and a Bowel problem, yet I’m sent out to find work as a window cleaner, for god sake, Painter and decorator.

I was then told perfume sales person at boots, have you been into Boots the chemist how many wheelchair users do you see.

None of us who have a disability are expected to work all this is about is saving billions in placing us onto JSA £65 a week and leaving us rot.

on 18th April 2010 at 14:29, Billy McLean said:

Yeah, that is both stupid and sickening. My disability problems aren’t on the same level as yours, I am “able bodied” as it were. But due to my mental health issues, I can’t just work in any job, I need the right support in place, and the employer to be understanding and supportive too. I have worked many, many different jobs, at all of which I’ve encountered the same problems and discrimination. My last job was working for an NHS foundation trust hospital near me in Salford, and when I got that job, I thought that I had finally found a position where I would get the right support and understanding, and be able to realise my potential. But the HR department neglected to inform Occupational Health and my department of the hospital of my Aspergers, and I wasn’t given any specific support. So when I ended up having a breakdown, they didn’t understand what to do with me, and I ended up having to leave. And this was working for the NHS. Our wonderful, privatised on the stealth NHS.