Ian
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Melle
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (24th Jul 12 at 10:11pm UTC) | | Sounds like a very Mickey Mouse outfit - with apologies to Mr Mouse  | |
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Ian
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Ian
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Ian
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Ian
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Posts: 7,436
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Ian
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Posts: 7,436
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Ian
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Ian
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (1st Nov 12 at 7:35pm UTC) | | From the BMJ http://www.bmj.com/press-releases/2012/10/30/complicated-system-making-it-difficult-sick-people-claim-benefits
"Complicated" system is making it difficult for sick people to claim benefits
One GP shares her experience of a “bureaucratic” system
Funds are being withdrawn from “sick and needy people” due to the system for claiming sickness benefit being too difficult.
Dr Dyson, a general practitioner who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, has first-hand experience of the difficulty faced with trying to claim sickness benefit. Due to her illness she has not been able to work since early July and wanted to claim employment and support allowance.
Surprised at not being given the option to complete a form online, she was forced to ring a premium rate phone number where she was forced to wait on hold for 30 minutes, followed by 40 minutes of questioning. Dr Dyson was then told that she would be sent some forms to sign whilst also being asked to produce her original birth certificate, marriage certificate and medical certificate of sickness with any details of pensions or sickness insurances, all of which had to be sent by recorded delivery.
Dr Dyson is fortunately not reliant on state benefit and does not feel ill or unwell and as such, feels she has the “strength and perseverance” to persist with her claim, but says that many of her patients do not have such luck. She also says that if anyone had a hearing loss or speech impediment the original telephone conversation would have been near “impossible”.
She says it is a “scandal” that the system is so complicated and that it is likely to fail the people who are most in need of help and suspects it is a government ploy to “reduce the number of benefit claims and reduce the overall cost of welfare”.
Dr Dyson concludes that what she believes is a “bureaucratic claim system” should be revealed for what it truly is: a government that is withholding funds from sick and needy people | |
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Ian
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (2nd Nov 12 at 4:33pm UTC) | | http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2012/oct-2012/dwp109-12.shtml
More get unconditional support as Work Capability Assessment improvements continue
The percentage of people getting unconditional support through Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has more than doubled since May 2010 as the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) continues to be reviewed and improved.
The latest figures for new claims to ESA published today show that overall 54% of people assessed were found to be able to do some form of work while 46% are eligible for the benefit.
Of those assessed, 26% were put in the Support Group, where they get unconditional support as they are too ill or disabled to work. This is more than double the figure from December 2008 to May 2010, when between 10-11% of people were being placed in the Support Group.
A further 20% of people were put in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG), meaning they are currently too ill or disabled to work and entitled to the benefit, but will be expected to take steps towards an eventual return to work.
Those found fit for work will be helped by Jobcentre Plus and initiatives such as the Work Programme to find work which is right for them.
The Work Capability Assessment is being continually reviewed and refined, through a series of annual independent reviews, with improvements resulting in a fairer and more accurate system.
Mark Hoban, Minister for Employment said:
“We know that many people with disabilities or health conditions want to work and that the old Incapacity Benefit system simply wrote them off to a lifetime on benefits.
“We are determined to carry on improving the assessment so those who are too unwell to work get the financial support they need, while those who can work get the help they need to get a job.
“With annual independent reviews and by working with medical experts and charities, we have substantially improved the WCA process, which is resulting in a fairer system.”
The figures also show that for June to August 2011, when people appealed a fit for work decision, 69% of decisions were upheld. This has also risen since May 2010, when 63% of decisions were upheld on appeal.
Outcomes of completed initial assessments for claims started from December 2011 to February 2012 are broken down as follows:
46% of claimants were entitled to benefit. Within this:
26% of claimants were assigned to the Support Group
20% of claimants were assigned to the Work Related Activity Group
54% of claimants were found fit for work and are not eligible for Employment and Support Allowance
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Ian
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SusieQ
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (18th Nov 12 at 6:39pm UTC) | | Whoops that was interesting, was having another rant and the post and page disappeared.
What I was saying was, why do we never hear of the thousands who must have gone through this system and been ok? Plus there have always been these tests; my brother, who died 6 years ago, had MS and was totally dependent on wife and carers and was wheelchair bound. He received Invalidity benefit (think it was in those days) and he still had to go forward for checks every now and then, just to make sure he was still entitled to the benefit. Pain in the neck, but just the way it was.
I sometimes wonder if the people do not protest too much??  ??
Rant No. 2 over | |
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howie
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (5th Dec 12 at 1:24am UTC) | | Our Amy is being assessed again
This is the third time within 2 years 
Wonder if we could report them for harassment  | |
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Ian
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (5th Dec 12 at 11:40am UTC) | | | It appears as a another post code lottery where some Tribunal decisions are accepted by DWP decision makers and in other areas they will keep contesting as they have nothing that can be lost and the cost of Tribunals does not come from the DWP budget that is funded by the same tax payers that are having money saved for them allegedly. | |
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howie
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (18th Dec 12 at 5:45pm UTC) | | Aha, thanks Ian
That explains a lot & also makes sense in a way  | |
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Ian
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Linus
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Linus
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howie
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pm | | Re: ESA Assessment (8th Oct 13 at 6:53pm UTC) | | Hmm the aforementioned gentleman may struggle with his figures a little  I think  | |
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