General Chat

I hope I don't get a knee-jerk reaction to this.

Wages have gone up by an average of 10% in last 5 years, benefits by 20%.

The working poor are worse off than many on benefits, and that is causing tension.

I realise that 20% over that 5 years is cost of living increases and is not generous. But Government has said that no one will be penalised if they are working.

And the over-riding problem is that we have an absolutely massive welfare bill and an economy that is still shrinking.

1% increase sounds terrible. But it is what I have had for last 3 years at work, and many have had an actual decrease followed by a feeeze. :-(

Should we be paying out billions on foreign aid,
much of it lost to corruption and maladministration along the way,
when we have a government that claims
we don’t have enough money to support our own most vulnerable citizens
– the chronically sick and disabled – and, instead, prefers to punish them
for being chronically sick and disabled? :-( :-(

Joy, But only as a Concreter. :-D

i am so glad i am able bodied
but really feel for the sick and disabled

Atos should be hanging their heads in shame :-(

PMSL@Joy :-D

Breaking News
Yasser Arafat found fit for work, Atos did the autopsy ;-) ;-)

nudge for someone :-D

Can’t let this slip by without comment:-

The Government have admitted that 11,000 people forced on to work-related activity after assessments have died before getting work – Michael Meacher, MP. (Source)

As I’ve said before, most recently here Welfare Reform is nothing but the destruction of the welfare state, and a state-sanctioned cull of the chronically sick and disabled. 11,000 dead simply confirms that.

I have just been emailled this by the people who are helping me, if anyone can get there be good

Join us and hundreds of disabled people at the
TUC march in London on 20 Oct or take online action on the
day see http://afuturethatworks.org/ for more
information.

How ?

Have just had a look at the DWP site to see how way off beam I am.

It is just so confusing. If I (God forbid) had a stroke today and could not work, I would expect to be protected by the state. I think I would fight hard to get better (cos it is horribly boring for me to not be working) but would expect relevant help.

I know from past experience that everything is stacked against you. Even 20 years ago, you could not work out what you would get and when. And it was just as difficult to get them to stop the benefit once it had started.

Often you are in a bad mental place and you don't feel like signing in to Job Centre (often 15 miles away now) or completing lots of forms. So you lose your benefit, and it is back to using savings or begging off close family tp pay bills and groceries. Been there, got T shirt.

I am very sympathetic to all who have shared on here and am just very grateful that I do not have to suffer the stress caused.

Please do not dismiss what I have said about lobbying MEPS and others as a group. It will make a difference, if only to relax some of the targets the DWP has set for ATOS. Can't see either Govt or Opposition ending the ATOS contract, but they could amend targets and fast track appeals, for example.

Sorry, Sue. Bit confusing if you have never needed these benefits for over 20 years. Some have mentioned being bumped from DLA to ESA then various sub-groups within ESA. But think I would make same points anyway.

If you go back to article that began this thread, wonder how much success the Scottish politico had in getting answers

Just to reiterate we are discussing ESA not DLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have suggested that MEPs might be a good avenue forward. They must know performance of ATOS across Europe and could be good lobbyists. Generally, people receiving DLA do not want to raise their heads above the parapet - just want to have enough money to pay bills and have some dignity. But you can get MEP's very interested. Have suggested

Saw this on ATOS site:- "The success of the Royal Mail Group (RMG) and Atos Healthcare partnership is demonstrated and
measured in terms of better productivity and substantially reduced sickness absence. The high
take-up of services by RMG employees clearly indicates just how much they appreciate the health
screenings and the opportunity to adopt healthier lifestyles."

Do we know anybody in RMG who has been through their absence reduction programme? Suspect there are instances of stress and sackings behind this snowpake press release.

My local MEP is very involved in Remploy closures and is an exceptionally nice young lady. If anyone is interested in writing to her to find out which MEPs would lobby well in Europe, she is:
Jill Evans MEP
45 Gelligaled Road,
Ystrad,
Rhondda Cynon Taf,
CF41 7RQ,
Wales.
T: 01443 441395
F: 01443 440999
E: jill.evans@europarl.europa.eu

to be honest i think somebody should take it to the european courts
for discrimination of disabled and sick people

persecution just isn't on :-( :-(

now if foreign people were treated like that there would be an out cry

Yes I did Jax but they said it wasnt enough evidence!!!!

Jules x

So did you send a covering letter from your doctor or consultant with your appeal form explaining the difficulties you have Jules?

As I said you may not have another medical just another ESA50 medical questionaire to complete

I was in the support group but was put in the work related group even though I have more problems now!!! It is so stressful going to appeal and then tribunal, by the time it's all over I will be due another medical!! It's crazy.......

Jules x

Thank you Jax. I've just read your post about your experiences and I'm shocked that you have had to go through so much.

I take it that the French company is working for performance based bonuses. If so it's to their advantage that they 'cull' as many people from the system as they can :-(

Sue

If you are appealing against being put in the work related group.....then yes you do and you will get the difference back dated if you win

If you are appealing because you have not been given ESA at all and then win you will get it all back dated.

In my case I was reassessed while waiting to go to tribunal so I should have appealed against that decision aswell....I ended up putting in a very late appeal with that one so all was well in the end

Just to add the last medical I had was in 2010 but I have had the medical questionaire to fill in in 2011 and 2012 and not had to go for medicals