Bill Kruse

It's doing away with the welfare state to make way for the American insurance giants like Unum who are apparently dictating these policies. How long before Grayling and IDS find themselves very very comfortably supported by those same insurance companies? The people who die and suffer through withdrawal of the support they've paid for all their lives are simply collateral damage.

Clive Billenness

The Conservatives have stopped saying 'people' and now say 'serfs'
>>I<< think we should stop saying people and start saying 'voters' !
I am ashamed to live in a Western Country where we treat our own citizens so badly.

chris

The problem you can see with E.S.A is only the tip of the iceberg , I am an engineering contractor who became ill with a terrible vertigo , I ended up bed ridden, then evicted by means of my belongings thrown in the street. Then if you have no savings you find, No help and no sympathy as everyone has been brainwashed by professional trouble causing into thinking the sick and unemployed are work-shy scroungers , The morons who take this view will never see what the real deal is until they become ill themselves. When they have to attend a Dss (private) Medical who get paid to lie and cheat people out of what they are entitled to in the event of injury or sickness . Then the worry (to worry is against the law by the way), the worry of their benefit being stopped, delays, appeals (that cost more money in the long run) . So then, after a lot of worry you t finally get evicted then have no choice but to claim job seekers allowance(Only for six months before that is stopped too), only to find when or IF you get a job, they get sent home under health and safety laws , because you are clearly unwell and a danger to your self and everyone around you.What a stupid merry-go-round in hell sort of system is that in this day and age? It should be clear to anyone with the smallest knowledge on economics(and maths) that every country will have a percentage of people who are too ill to work, and need help to recover and start back paying money into a system that is nothing but a one way diode to taking your money off you , investing it , then showing you the door. The sad thing is the ones who are making life hard for the disabled all have private medical and insurance ,they are sitting back(when they fall ill) smirking in their dressing gowns and with a box of chocolates without a care in the world or even knowing what hardship is , its easy for them to not be able to understand basic morals. The medical is the best , you get a professional doctor who signs you off work sick. Then you get a Dss( private medical and a person trained only as a NURSE) who says you are OK to work and they say your doctor doesn't know what he or she is on about. Then this stupid rigmarole ends up having to go to court as an appeal(if decided by another nurse its even allowed for appeal that is), costing vast amounts of money and another step in the right direction of inflicting constructive suicide upon a person who is clearly unwell. Then they fail the appeal and benefit gets stopped for weeks again , enough time to get evicted, then they cannot claim J.S.A because they are not well enough for work , AND THEN they cannot claim E.S.A because they are not ill enough to claim it.In engineering, this sort of problem is called a "chattering relay" a FAULTY electric switch that cannot turn off nor on , so it goes on buzzing away forever until its REPLACED by a good new one. My grandfather paid national insurance all his life and never had a day off , where is all this money going? even if the country is in recession , national insurance should not part of it and a nice big pot of invested money to help when people when they become ill ? what is the problem ? or has been spent on other things by mistake and it is the sick and the unemployed so called," scroungers "who are taking the blame and being a scape goat, Simply because people who are not well are an easy target . The whole system is run like a hysterical puppet show that gets far worse when the curtains are shut.

chrissy kavanagh

Thank you Claudia and Chris for excellent examples regarding ESA contribution based.
I am finding myself in a similar situation to the example of Mr Smith. I have worked hard all my life and have contributed tax and NI throughout. Just over two years I went sick from work to have surgery. I have been in pain much of my latter life (I'm 54 now) with osteoarthritis. To cut a long story short after two unsuccessful major surgeries I am left with a deterioration disability. Ironically the DWP awarded me with the higher element for care and mobility, but have disagreed to put me into the ESA support group.

Just had the paper work today giving me their reasons for this before it goes to tribunal. They have a report from ATOS medical from May 2010 when I first become unwell and started claiming ESA, which, of course is totally irrelevant now. Even with all the reports I sent them from my GP & Consultant regarding my condition and what limitations I have now. The DWP seems to think that I am still capable of work, and will not put me into the support group. They obviously don't understand the pain I'm in and the effect of the tramadol painkillers that I take regualrly.
Clearly I cannot work, I even have to have someone help me get of the loo, as my knee may have locked and I cannot get up. What would I do if I had a job. I don't suppose there will be many volunteers for this task!
My husband works so we cannot get income related support, and with mortgages and kids at a critical state of their education (one has a loan for uni - the other has another year of A level) we are broke. The only other thing I will have to do is sign on at the job centre, even though I am unfit for work. I fear that we could lose our home.

I realise that I am not the only one out there with this problem, I feel so depressed most of the time. With naivety I thought after many years of work the state would be able to support me when I needed them. What a joke that turned out to be.

Helen Yates

Well done for the comments on contributory ESA! I too thought that after working with my disability for over 26 years (basically since the start of my working life) and paying all that N.I. there would be help available if I needed it, so when I was virtually ordered by my Specialist Nurse, Neurologist and GP to give up work as I had tried my best but work was now stopping my treatment from working and I was in so much unbearable pain, plus the mental health side of things was getting worse too, although always having worked I was scared to venture into the unknown. However was I naive when I thought the ESA would help. Again as mentioned before, the Medical performed by a so called Doctor for the DWP basically just typed away on his computer and lied, made his own interpretations up from what I said and then left things out. I got a copy and laughed and cried when I read what he had put, it was like reading a novel - complete fabrication, I think he got my name right and mentioned that I had got depression but no real mention of what my disability was and how it affected me. I was "lucky" enough (as my Welfare Rights Officer told me) to be put in the WRAG group, said I should leave it there, not bother to appeal and then dropped my case!

I went to the CAB for advice on how to appeal as I had all the letters backing me up from the charity, neurologist and other places. You can imagine how I felt when the so called welfare rights specialist told me I basically my legs and arms shouldn't work, and I should be deaf dumb and blind and even then they would probably find me fit for work, oh and did I really want to make my mental health worse by going through what might be a public tribunal. I cried again when I got home, more in frustration than anything else, no one wanted to help. The Government got its way and I gave up on the appeal!

I got my letter from the DWP 2 days ago point blank telling me that my 365 days on ESA was up on 2 September and as I was on contribution based (again as you have all said, done the right - or wrong - thing and worked) "your money will stop". I knew the letter was coming but how it was worded was shocking. I could claim income based but as my partner works more than 24 hours a week, even though he was made redundant and had to take a HUGE drop in wage, we are classed as too well off for me to claim. Hillarious. I rang them and asked what the heck did I do now, they said I might go to the Jobcentre on 3 September and start a claim for JSA. I pointed out that as I can no longer do the job I had done for 26 years what job should I look for (even as we know there are none out there), apparently the Jobcentre should give me some advice. I told her that when I went for my interview with them after being awarded the WRAG group I was told "we don't send people on basic courses anymore they are too expensive and not very good, you don't have to attend every month just ring if you want anything"!

I am unable to do my previous Secretarial job, typing (including this) is too painful, my neck spasms and turns constantly and my shoulder would love to move to the left to meet my chin - I have myoclonus dystonia. I also have social phobia, agoraphobia, OCD, severe anxiety and depression. I am terrified at the prospect of what happens next, there is nowhere to turn it seems and I have to try and get some sort of job.

It makes you think though, I was told yesterday that the Government had sent £50 million to Africa as part of its donation to the third world and that this was going to be spent, or at least a lot of it on educating young girls on how not to get pregnant!!

I also heard yesterday from my partner, (who works with a Polish man) that this person was talking to him yesterday about how his niece was getting on here. It turns out the Polish man's brother, wife and child had moved here, got accommodation AND (the best bit) started work within 3 days of getting to the UK.

This country is going to the dogs, no one seems to care but people like ourselves. Like you say the rich don't have to worry about one of them not working but to us it is keeping our homes, feeding ourselves and most of all keeping our dignity! How naive was I.

Good luck to you all with what you are going through at least you know there are some people out here who care about you!!

claudia wood

Thank you all for sharing your experiences - i've been tweeting about this to encourage more people to visit the site and read them in full.

deniseb

the esa is not fair I have worked up until last year when injury at work had to pack in had opperation on my back have a problem with my heart and I also suffer with incontinence and now a shoulder injury my doctor says it would be hard for me to work I am on contribution based esa I have now had my esa cut from £99.00 per week to £28.00 per week my husband is on incapacity and his £110.00 is taken into account I have struglled to pay yhe interest on my mortgage we have lived here for 27 years but what a joke my interest is £300 per month and no way of finding the £74000 so what justifies the goverment to do this I have never been in trouble been a law abiding citizen for what to lose my home because I have worked all my life. it seems once your down this country kicks you further. so I say esa does not work.

Helen

More terryfying news about ESA and JSA for me!! Apart from my depression coming back with a vengeance and not being able to take antidepressants as they interfere with other medication I am on, the doctor insists that I see her once a week so she can keep an eye on me, but that is not the issue.
I had a phone call this morning from the disability advisor at the Jobcentre Plus who knew I "worried about things" (who wouldn't), she just wanted me to know that my claim for JSA after being thrown off ESA might not be accepted. Apparently there are different rules for claiming JSA when you have been on ESA and if I have had (or used?) too many NI contributions then they would refuse JSA contributions and assess me for JSA income based but as my partner works just over the minimum wage and over 30 hours (to try and keep our heads above water and from starving literally), I won't be eligible for that so therefore I will be job hunting (with no advice or training provided for another job) and getting NO MONEY, but I can sign on to make sure I get the state pension!! I was told not to worry!! WHAT ON EARTH DO THEY THINK I AM GOING TO DO WHEN FACED WITH NO MONEY!! I am beside myself now and no one can tell me or give me an idea of what will happen, I have to wait with this hanging over me until I put my application for JSA in and then "wait and see", I am at my wits end!! I thought at least I might get JSA for 6 months even though I've no idea what to do and no training, but even that rug has been pulled from beneath me. So to sum up, no ESA and potentially no JSA either = NO MONEY. Are the government trying to starve disabled people and their partners to the point of who knows what!!

wendy

My husband is bi-polar but was put in WRAG not support despite medical evidence from his CPN describing him as 'volatile'. We appealed and won - Commissioner even recommended that he not be re-assessed for 2 years! FANTASTIC NEWS you think - Oh no! 2 months on and no confirmation from JCP , upon ringing them am told that case has been returned to decision Maker who may still leave him in WRAG not Support Group!!!! How can this be surley this is why we went to appeal, hasn't the Decision been made by the Commissioner and the Qualified Doctor who was also at the appeal. How can a non medically trained decision maker ignore this. Process has now taken almost 13 months and as i work our money will soon stop!!!!! With a mortgage to pay and 2 children to feed am terrified. My husband had worked from age of 16 until in his mid 30's when taken ill, paid NI's we would have been better off if hr or i had never worked because then we would keep our money!!! This governement rewards people for never having worked and punishes those he have who might need a little help

KEV

I have worked all my life until 9 years ago,
To cut a long story short,i had a serious motor cycle accident 9 years ago,which resulted in a bleed on my brain and compound fracture to my spine.
The result of the bleed on my brain causes concentration probelms,severe anger management probelms,mood swings,depression,anxiety attacks.
I was in receipt of incapacity benefit and dla due to my anger probelms and violent outbursts.
I was swapped over to esa from incapacity benefit,had to go for a esa/dla medical,which put me in the WRAG Group.
I appealed and won but i still had to attend the WRAG Group or they would have stopped my money
I was in receipt of esa which ended on the 6th of sept ,because my partner(God bless her)works more than 24 hrs a week,i am not entitled to esa as i have exceeded the 364 day limit.
We may be entitled to tax credits but are awaiting there reply.
Which has been nearly a month,rang them yesterday,my files where not in the processing department yet which takes three weeks at the moment to process for payments.
I havent had any money since the 6th,my medication runs out on the 24th of this month,we don`t have enough money to keep the gas and electric on all the time let alone money for my percriptions.
I have been on my anger management,painkillers sleeping ,anxtiety drugs since the crash 9 years ago,i am terrified on how i am going to cope without taking my medication as can`t afford the precription as of this month.
I failed to take my medication once before which resulted in me assaulting someone,i was provoked , i am not a thug.
We are behind on the mortgage payments,i don`t no where to turn,no one seemds interested at the job centre they won`t even give me a crisis loans to get my medication,it even states on the anger management do not stop taking,im terrified on what is going to happen when the 24th comes which is worsening my condition.
Why are the disabled victimised the government,
Does someone have to get hurt for anyone to listen to me.
My situation is a joke,and no one will help.
Whats next i don`t no where to turn

Ceri

This is an excellent article, thank you Claudia. The comments above are also very good and cover most areas. My experience of the system has been appalling. I was in a middle management job and been working for over 20 years when an accident left me temporarily unable to walk and with very severe PTSD. The Atos medical was a sham. The doctor saw my crutches but had no understanding of PTSD. I have been medically retired, but was expected to go to interviews where I collapsed with seizures and flashbacks. With further support from my specialists and an appeal I was finally placed in the support group over three years later but at extreme cost to my health and enormous stress to my family. At one point I was taken off all support. Tried to sell our house but the market is flat. I fear for others who are in a less supported position than me.

Jannie

I am disgusted to hear about the stories above and the lengths we have to go to now in order to remain in our homes and claim any sort of benefit. I have a fracture in my spine and although healed the pain in my back will always remain .. I have arthiritis in both feet, I have coronary heart disease, depression, asthma and incontinence ... I am still working .. why ?? just read the above stories .. I sometimes look after teenagers that run away from home for a basic allowance (which does not interfere with any other benefits).. it is not regular maybe 6 teenagers a year but it helps pay the bills .. My problem ..all these kids get hand-outs from Social Services.. payments from Income Support .. go out and spend all their money on booze, fags .. and have never worked a day in their life .. It is not their faults ..it is the fault of the Government .. How come it costs all this money to support spoilt kids and yet disabled or sick people who have worked all their lives are expected to live off nothing!!!!!!

daren

i dont claim benefit my partner works i look after the children and will go back to work, when they are all at full time school.
Yes i agree there are legitimate claims for disability, BUT and a big but is that there is to many people claiming disability because they get an easy ride.
I mean even to the extent of claiming disability to get a car, when clearly you can see that now one has a disability in the family.
These people should all be shopped, but it seams there is nobody who will step up to the plate as this would, clearly resolve a lot of claims for vast sums of tax money going to scroungers on society.

IVE NEVER KNOWN SO MANY PEOPLE ON DISABILITY LIVING IN ONE AREA IE. WHERE I LIVE CLAIMING DISABILITY AND CLEARLY WASHING THERE DISABILITY CAR,WALKING THERE DOGS, DRIVING AROUND IN CARS WITH TOOLS. DOESNT ANYONE BOTHER CHECKING ON THESE PEOPLE

KEV

Just got a letter back from the tax credits,because my wife works as i stated in my last posting,we are above the threshold to receive tax credits,the time is ticking down to where i cannot afford the percription that i need,i haven't had a full nights sleep while i have been waiting for there decision.
What do i do now,went to a appointment at CAB,basically they have told me the only way i will receive benefits is if i move out of my house and live on my own,i don't want to move out my house and live on my own,i am no position to do as i wouldn't be able to cope living on my own,it doesn't make sense as if i moved out of my home away from my wife,they would reinstate my esa also they would have to pay housing benefit on where i move to also my wife would receive 25% reduction in council tax as she would be living on her own and i wouldn't have to pay council tax.
It doesn't make sense its going to cost the government more money in the long run,the only thing that keeps me going is my wife if i didn't have her,i wouldn't want to be alive.
They are forcing me into a postion where my anger probelms are getting worse,anxiety and panic attcks are worsening the lack of sleep and lack of money to even provide gas and electric.
I have worked all my life and they have turned there back on me,it doesn't mean nothing that i payed NI prior to my accident.
It is bad enough that i have to rely on my wife to pay the bills,i have no self asteem left,they have taken every thing away and clearly don't care about people like me.
I can't believe that this is how it turned out.
As daren stated in his posting,i know people the same as you do,get there free car on dla,live in seperate addresses to claim maximum benefits when if you went to his so called ex wifes address he is there every night,his dla car is full of tools where he is doing his private work,i see them loading there dla car up with parcels every monday where they are selling there goods on ebay,i have seen them on cash in the attic,flog it bidding at auctions about 8 or 9 times,i have mentioned it to him that i saw him on flog it and thinks its brilliant.
They holiday at least twice a year,its breaks my heart to think that this is how it is,but it is
Where's it all going to end,with half the disabled people taking there own lives as they have nothing left to live for.
Get cameron out,the damage he and his party has caused this country is nearly at the point where there is nothing left for honest disabled people other than join the rest of them and scam the system.What a horrible country this has turned into with non hope and no future

paul

I've read the above comments with interest, I've been on incapacity for 19 years with severe depression and anxiety, had 3 serious suicide attempts in that time, to cut a long story short, I've been well now for 18 months but continue to claim incapacity, as I haven't been called in yet, I'm not workshy, there just isn't any jobs in my area, so I'm going to blag this for as long as I can, until I can find work, I've got to say a big thanks to the previous governments for paying for my beers,partying and 2 holidays a year, my xbox ps3 iphone 4s new settee bed and 3 42 inch tvs, and ill continue to claim it as long as possibke without a slight hint of remorse because this government is out to screw us all, so up yours cameron hehe

Alan Allander

I feel strongly regarding the way Paul (the above article) is treating the benefit system. I hope he gets his assessment brown envelope through his door real soon. It is people like him that is draining the system and stopping the real disabled people from getting what they deserve in the way of benefits.
He states that the government is out to screw (as he puts it) all of us. He is part of this screwing process. If he is well enough to work as he has admitted he should sign on for JSA and leave the Incapacity/Esa money alone so it is given to someone who is disabled and in need of it.
Don't worry Paul they will catch up with you in the end mate!!! It is tougher out there than you think. Your brown envelope will be on your door mat before you know it. An there is no way now you can fool the benefits system. If disabled people are being refused benefits they will probably throw the book at you. I think when you are put in the same position as many other disabled people have you may well regret your recent post. Basically if you are well you should not be claiming Incapacity or Esa. Your attitude stinks!!!!!!!

julie

its because of people like paul that the really sick pe0ple are being let down by the system. i have suffered with depression since i was 14, i have worked hard raised 3 children who all work, i suffered 2 heart attacks in 2010 i went back to work only to be hospitalised with severe angina on 3 occasions, during this time i was diagnosed with emphysema . i failed my medical, lost my appeal and returned to work after 3 months i suffered another heart attack so am back to square 1 i am applying for ESA again. i despair of this government and this country

KEV

Just reading what Paul wrote and all i can say is good on you,if scamming the system works for you then keep scamming,good luck to your i phone your two holidays a year,at the end of the day you clearly don't suffer from anxiety or how could you cope living with anxiety and continue to claim,but if it works for you,
Good luck to you.
I would be to worried about serving time in jail and having to leave my wife is the main reason.
But everyone is different,if it works for you keep claiming why wouldn't you.keep taking out the pot,it all runs out in the end as i have learn't,just make sure you put your income away as when it all stops its so difficult to chose between medication,food,gas,electric,council tax,clothing and feeding your kids.
We have gone back a century,all thanks to mr david cameron and his chums,if you where born here or payed into the system you get nothing back,sorry after the 364 days
We live in the promise land to most people,especailly if you were not born here its a endless cycle of grants,benefits,housing benefit,crisis loans.
For what,to feed,cloth and house someone who has never payed nothing in to the system.
Scammers keep scamming,disabled keep worrying.
This country is a disgrace how they treat the people and its only going to get worse,just don't forget at election time,under no circumstances tick the conservative box,cameron is a modern day hitler victimising the disabled and playing games,"They only see the chair not the disabled person sat in it",what a load of rubbish.
This man has no compasion and not a careing bone in his body,he is a disgrace to this country and the rich get richer why the disabled keep suffering.

The system stinks but thats how it is,it seems to me if you don't evolve with the system and scam it you end up with nothing,no support and no future.

Carlitta

I have become seriously sick with a tumour & just been diagnosed with a rare disorder that destroys my joints I'm on up to 200mg of morphine a day I have tons more illnesses my body is racked with pain I have carers come in twice a day to help me I have 4 kids the youngest is 2yrs I cannot lift her or care for her as I should I struggle with mobility I would give anything 2 go bk 2 wrk & face a bleak future So I was put on high rate DLA for both mobility & care Sent for one of these interviews where I thought the doc was really nice & now I've got a letter through post saying my benefits are changing to ESA& I'm in Work based activity grp how the hell am I meant to get to a grp & do they provide childcare?will I only get ESA for a yr then? What do I need to do to fight this? What am I fighting for? As in what benefit should I be on if ESA is replacing income support & incapacity benefit? I thought ESA was just a change of name I didn't realise there was a time limit on it until I read all the stuff on here so pls any advise would b appreciated cos I'm very worried my sick sore body is bed bound a lot of the time helppppp

nikki

oh my god i thought i had it bad that person called paul how can he write all that stuff.i bet thats not even hes name,i won my appeal and have been placed in the wrag group i get esa but the letter that has been sent to me seems to refer to me claiming job seekers allowance so im wondering do people on esa and job seekers allowance go to the same interviews concerning looking for work im really confused,im getting low rate dla some years ago i was getting middle rate but they dropped the payments to low rate i never did appeal this as i had no idea they had done that,but i have severe tinnitus,loss of balance,vertigo,dizziness due to having meneiers lower back problems that have plagued me for years and now im having problems with my neck and shoulder,as bad as things i would like to go back to work partime but i fear i would'nt last long due to the dizziness i suffer most days,i cant stand cameron he looks so wooden and fake, i know im entitled to high rate dla but im sick of trying to prove it to the scums

lainey

My contribution based ESA runs out in 11 weeks and then nothing. My husband works full time and his earnings mean I willnot get ESA income related. I have paid like many my national insurance as an individual for 30 years. I have worked all my life. Even aftyer having my children. I became illin October 2011 and have had ssp and eventually ESA. I have various illnesses and I am waiting complex heart surfery - but dueto liver problems my setimated time for my heart surgery is end of December, My ESA will be long gone by then. Paying into the system and supporting many individuals to stay at home day in day out while I work has done me no favours. But it has given me self respect. But self respect won'y pay my bills. We are already at the lowest financial point thna we have been in our 36 years together. I feel I have been stupid - stupid in thinking that when I needed help there would be no hesitation and I would get it. But every stepof the way its a battle. DLA fought for it, ESA will only be paid for 26 weeks then your on your own pal. i probably will not be able to work again so what doI do- throw my husband out so that I can get a benefit that I should be entitled to?

Betty

I think Paul, above, must be a troll, there is no way he could afford all those things on Incapacity Benefit. (perhaps some of them occasionally after putting away a tenner a week for ages or something). He also probably would not be on Incapacity Benefit (a contributions-based benefit) but Income Support on the grounds of incapacity (the means tested equivalent at the time). This was the same rate as JSA for the first year, then went up a little. So he could manage day-to-day ok, but two holidays a year is pushing it!
I'm also wondering why they couldn't have communicated with his GP/care team and found out he was better. I know they don't do this but it would have been a much better idea to implement than the Atos medicals!

The old system did seem a little lax, whereas the new system is overly harsh. The flawed Atos medicals are the main weak point - the rest of the system's pretty good on paper but this is where it falls down. The other weak point is the low cut-off point for partner's earnings, as you say.

judith

Carlitta get back in touch with DWP,ask them to reconsider there decision that they put you in the support group. and not the work related activity group(WRAG).
You have one month from the date of the letter stating that they put you on to ESA.
Do not miss the time limit.
They will come back to you with a decision,either yes or no.
You then have one month to appeal against the decision from the date on there reply letter.
If there reply is no which it usually is appeal against the decision it will put you in the first tier appeal system
Obtain a letter from your doctor confirming your condition and to back up your claim,get as much imformation to back up your claim,dates you have had appointments,medication you take and side effects from the drugs you take.
Its a long process but its there to get rid of the scammers,people like paul.
Here is a link and some imformation about how the process works.

http://www.dls.org.uk/advice/factsheet/welfare_benefits/employment%20support%20allowance/Employment%20Support%20Allowance%20Appeal%20%20Decisions.pdf

Don't give up 40% of the people who appeal get there benefit back on the correct level.
Its just the process to get rid of hangers on that shouldn't be claiming benefits and get a job.

geff

The public will have their revenge, lets make sure no conservatives get into power next election! May they all burn in hell!!

betty landlea

I know the government needs to get spending under control. But, I honestly feel they have hit the easiest group. Those of us who are too ill at times to fight our corner.
What I would like to know is when are the government going to look into those who work cash in hand and claim Job Seekers allowance among other benefits. Builders and hairdressers spring to mind. Builders do building work for cash, they do not put things through there books so they avoid paying tax. It is the same for mobile hairdressers, they earn they perhaps do not declare all of their earnings. I know of a builder who works 6 days a week, has a young family and him and his wife claim any benefit they can get their hand on. Nobody is questioning them, they are racking in. When are the government going to wake up and start looking somewhere else to stop this benefit fraud. They have sadly picked on the most vunerable in society. Then they were talking about mansion tax. How about the people in between, they are going for the poor and the rich. I know of someone else who works but does not claim benefits but they work cash in hand most of the time then when they submit their tax return papers they end up getting a tax rebate because they have not earned enough to pay tax. I seriously think that the government should take their blinkers off and start looking else where for savings. They could turn up at a building site and check everyone who is working there. I think you would find that many who are working have no accounts to show for their wages and some are claiming benefits too!!! I know in therory this would be hard to achieve but they, the builders and hairdressers and many other slef employed are getting away with it right under the governments noses. Time something is done about it.

I shall never vote again, ever!!!

Betty

judith

Vote to get rid of this waste of space government

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/35533

JUDITH

This is more relevant to this subject,vote for change,if the petition reaches 100,000 they will have to listen.
Do it now,fight for your rights
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968

Jeanette Green

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgeia 2 years ago. With the amount of medication and pain patches l have to use and the symptons of my illness makes it impossible for me to work.. Despite doctors notes and letters they decided that l was fit for work. I went to see my MP and how l did not slap him l will never know ..his words "what you cant work at all".. l gave him a leaflet and told him to read it.. l have one of the blind illnesses... Now l cannot claim a single penny. My hubby works... yes l said WORKS.. shame they dont get the idle youngsters to work and leave the sick people alone....

Smithy

I think our government stinks is the politest thing to say. I just hope they never get sick and need help. Cutbacks,try cutting away at there salary they wouldn't know a days work.disgusting I know people who's money has stopped who are clearly unfit to work.

Gabriel

I was diagnosed with epilepsy nearly 9yrs ago now, I still have seizures, I am taking meds for it, I have been sent a letter for me to attend a medical assessment, my worry is: some days I am fine and other days I am not, what happens if I am fine on the day and considered fit for work, forced into work and have a seizure while working, would I then be entitled to some sort of compensation.

BARRY

I like Mr Smith have worked all my life, I am 59 years old and have had a heart condition since I 31 years old, I also have angina ,high blood pressure , high cholesterol, and have a implanted defibulator in my chest to control my irregular heartbeat, if my heart beat goes above normal rate the defib will activate and delivers a shock to regulate my heartbeat, the shock is so powerful it can thow you a couple of feet across a room, Iwas finished from my job due to ill health because the defib kicked in whilst at work, I was working under a train at the time and it was decided Iwas far too dangerous to have around, I knew this would happen one day as my health has deteriated over the years , I also have osteoarthritis and gout and suffer dreadfull pain on a daily basis ,I take very strong pain relief which causes me to be tired all the time, I get chest pain on exertsion due to the angina, I take tablets to get rid of excess fluid in my body, this causes me to want to go to the toilet every 15 mins ,this lasts for a few hours each morning, my knees lock due to arthritis and when the gout is active I cant walk ,Iget breathless due to angina , how could I possibly hold down a job in my condition, the DWP has said I can , They have said that my condition may improve within 3 months , I wonder if they know something my hospital consultant does not know, as I have been told for the last 28 years that my heart condition will never improve, osteo arthritis wont improve either, how can a nurse know more about my condition than my consultant or GP, I have put in an appeal and have had no payment for the past month, you ring them to ask about it, no one seems to care you have no food and cant pay any bills,

worked all my life

Esa the unfarest one sided load of rubbish out there ,if you’re reading this you are probably aware of the implications of receiving esa(Wrag),if your partner works more than 24hrs a week they will take in to consideration what your partner earns and add this to your allowance,resulting in you not being able to receive the benefit after the 365 day limit unless you are in the support group
Due to my disabilitys I am unable to work,but being forced to find a job by the government,I take six tablets a day every day,It states on two of the tablet,do not drive do not operate heavy machinery,side effects of these drugs causes drowsiness which it does.
Would you want to be working with someone like me,no employer in there right minds would employ me,it would costs them to much on there insurance,im a accident waiting to happen.
But still the government insist I am cured,it came to a head recently when my esa had ended,I am not saying this will work for everyone but I couldn’t cope with no money and due to the side effects of my medication could not find employment.
I have moved out of my family home and live two nights a week in a scabby little bedsit in order to receive my benefit.
You cannot stay in your ex partners address three days in a row,as It is classed as cohabitating.
Its dead simply,my wife drives me to my scabby bedsit about ten at night,I sleep there,my wife picks me up in the morning before she goes to work drops me at home,
My wife gets 25% reduction in council tax,my bedsit is payed for with no top up to be made,I get a reduction in my council tax,my esa is reinstated,basically its costing the government more than the benefit I lost,good im glad its costing them more,forcing me to work when I can’t due to my health condition.
By the time I pay the council tax,extra elec and gas I am still up as I didn’t get anything due to the affects of the esa rules.
I would advise anyone in the same situation to do the same,so I hope mr Cameron reads this,
So put that in your pipe and smoke it,Cameron,
your plans not working and its costing Tax payers more money.
Would tax payers be happy the way the funds are being spent to provide housing that isn’t being used and only used three nights a week just so someone can be in receipt of benefits ?
And I never went to eton to get my benefit back,I hope other disabled people wake up and do the same as I am,its not against the law,its legal way to get your benefits back.
And at the end of the day,if they change the law to close this loop hole,what are they going to do,they can’t fine you because you don’t get any benefits,it will cost them even more money to imprison someone like me at £37,000 for a average inmate a year to keep you in prison.
Everyone has the option to do the same as me,if you don’t do it,enjoy living with no benefits.

sandra

What would i have done if not for DR SANGO,my name is Sandra, I am 28 years old and i have a son. Unfortunately almost a year ago his father broke up with me because of a mistake I made and I just really want him back. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want our family to be complete again, I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I read online that you helped a girl in this situation and I contact him for help. I grew up with my parents divorced and I don't want that for my son and I miss my husband so much and just want our family to be whole again I want the love of my life back and I can honestly say that because he is the only man I have ever truly loved with all my heart.So i seek help from sangospelltemple@gmail.com and he responded to me and he cast a love spell for me which i use in getting back my husband and i am happy and grateful to him for helping me.sangospelltemple@gmail.com the only through spell caster i have ever known.

Helen

I work for a charity helping people with benefits advice and support them through ESA applications which often lead to reconsiderations and appeals following the Medical Assesment phase. It has become clear to me that at these assesments the medical professionals (not GP's DR's Nurses or otherwise) are assessing people on the things they CAN do not on the things they CANT do.
Once placed into the WRAG you have a limited time to appeal against this decision and I cannot stress stronger how important it is that you are placed into the right group as soon as possible. Unfortunately because the whole process of applying in the first place is so stressful once people are awarded ESA and placed in a group they do not check the rest of the paperwork and only come for help and further advice when they realise their award will stop in a few weeks time. THIS IS TOO LATE!!!!!!!
My advice is to check all details of an award immediately, seek advice and support to apply and appeal from day one. Or prepare yourself for the limited 365 award and what you will do when this ends, 1 year is not a long time but it does give time to prepare rather than being turned down due to income from the outset.
I do not agree with this system but I do have to agree that changes to the benefits system have to happen, this country is in debt, and the principle around the changes to sickness benefits is that the financial support goes to the ones most in need. If you are placed in the support group on contributions based you are supported financially for as long as you need it. If you are put onto income related and your income is low then you will get financial support. If you work more than the 24 hours but earn very little it may be that you could claim housing or council tax benefit or tax credits to help your houshold but there is a set amount the government says a person should have to live on, this is not much but if your earnings are below this then there are top ups available.
There could be people that have been placed into the work related activity group on contributions based esa that have more than £16000 in savings and families who are high earners etc livign with them. I agree that this person should not receive this benefit indefinately and that after one year their award should change to income related. Unfortunately if the system doesnt change than neither will the debt. NI is not just to pay benefits it is to pay for our NHS and Pensions etc. If we dont have the money to fund these things because we are paying for benefits to people who are not entitled then we are all in a very difficult position indeed. I am trying to stay impartial in these comments but I have to admit that I feel it is wrong that I will pay my NI contributions all my working life not a high earner by any means from age 18 - 67 yet I will claim the same state pension when I retire as someone else that has never worked and only paid contributions because they have been in the benefits system all their lives. I ask the question. Is that fair?
Im not saying that everyone that is in the benefits system shouldnt be I hope that if I ever become ill and need help I will get the help I am entitled to, I am merely stating that the system has to change.

norman

Im at my wits end,im contemplating suicide,I've worked as a roofer for over 20 years,i was s/employed had a heart attack in work,had to have a double heart bypass my wife and kids would have been better of if I had not woke up from the operation,they won't give me ESA as I've not paid my n.I contributions up to date ,my wife works part time and gets 110 pound a week they say that's enough to live on ,we have a mortgage,debts,bills to pay how can we manage I honestly don't no ,im at my wits end ,might aswell go and top myself bye cruel world cos that's what it is.

danny

Claudia surely there's something we can do for this man ,he sounds very depressed,I feel very sorry for you Norman but please don't take your own life mate ,im in tears here reading this with my wife,good luck ,god bless

Wendy

Like many here I worked full time from the age of 16. I have often worked 2 & even 3 jobs to bring up 2 children after leaving my alcoholic ex husband in my late 20's. I worked & went to uni to improve my skills & then finally secured the job of my dreams. It bought together my work & voluntary work (yes I did this on top of everything else for 18 years!). Then after a nasty bowel problem that infected my entire system & body, I developed Fibromyalgia (a hidden and often scorned problem), that has 63 different symptoms. After 3 years struggling to keep my core job (I lost my 2 consultant & training jobs - one of which was as a community adviser to the previous government!!) my employer did not renew my contact. £35k job gone & I was on the scrap heap at 43. I then faced the humiliation of claiming ESA, contribution based. This means you get a lower rate than someone who has never worked & have to pay for everything - prescriptions etc. Plus I still had to pay 1/2 my rent and most of my council tax. I was 'fortunate' to be very ill on the day of my atos assessment. I was driven & dropped of by a friend as there is no nearby parking. My sister came with me as it was a new place & to support me. I was there for 4!! hours. After 2 I fell asleep (chronic fatigue). By the end I was wracked with pain, felt dreadful (like having a really bad bought of 'proper' flu) and was in tears. I was 'lucky' to be declared unfit for work. But what does that mean?? I have been refused DLA (despite having a stairlift fitted after sleeping on my sofa for 3 years due to not being able to climb stairs), I struggle on a daily basis. Where are we now. My son has just started university away from home term time. My daughter is residential in the week at a special school (although according to DLA when she turned 18 her autism & learning disabilities were miraculously cured so she can not claim anything??). When she turns 20 in February we lose her child benefit & tax credits. And then the biggest kick in the teeth was yet to come. From 1st April I will have my housing benefit cut by £25 a week due to the new 'bedroom tax'. As my children are away in the week & for term time I am not entitled to have my 3 bed roomed adapted house. So I either moved to a 1 bed & my children are homeless or I find £25 out of my ESA (funny as my food budget is only £20 a week due to bills to pay). What have I learnt. I should never have bothered to work. The NI contributions everyone has paid has been miss appropriated & no checks & measures put in place to stop them being abused (and they are), so when 'real' hard working people need what they have paid into, they get told no. Those who are well enough will continue to scam and get everything as they have the capacity to do so, those who are genuinely ill will get nothing as they are too ill to understand how they need to 'play the system'. Oh and what about my volunteering. I have loads of skills to help my community, but if I am well enough to help for an hour a week, I am well enough to hold down a 40 hour job. So I can not even lie on my sofa on a good day & talk someone through how to do something & give advice when they are stuck. Again the government has made me totally useless to society in my current capacity. Its all or nothing. And yes if some one is fit to work, does it on the side & claims ESA, DLA , enhanced taxcredits ect yes you can live the high life. I know many people who do, but when shopped go back to their crutches etc. Good luck to everyone else who is struggling with this issue, we are going to need it.

lara

my life was over in 2009 when i lost my nursing job due to ill heath to much to mention cut a long story short i got esa dla car now because my partner works im losing it all i failed medical i appealed lost it he earns 230 a week how we gunna live i guess he will manage better if im not here i will lose my weekly trips to gp as i will lose my car dont no were to turn i love my family so much but because of extra stuff needed for my illness they wont be able to eat

lara

please has any one heard from norman norman plesase post again hun we are all in same boat i been thinking on them lines but my love for my family keeps me here stay strong hun

David Whittle

Hi everyone, my wife who has been diagnosed with M.S by her neurologist has recently gone through similar problems with her E.S.A being cut[finished]. The D.W.P sent us a letter the day after the money was stopped[24th August 2012] to say that she was no longer available for this payment as her 12 months was up and as i work more than 24 hours a week she can no longer claim.We contacted the welfare rights people who basically said be grateful she has D.L.A , i then contacted the M.S Society [who were great] and said this is not true and go ahead and appeal with their help.They said she should have been put in the Support group and not the W.R.A.G and that way her money based on our savings [over £5,500] should be reinstated and reduced by £1 for every £250 over the lower savings amount stated.We have been successful in getting my wife into the support group and are filling in the last form[touchwood] to finally have her money reinstated.Like many people here we too were annoyed when they sent us the letter with the medical assessment form from last year when her benefit changed over to E.S.A .She did not have a face to face medical and it was just based on what we had written on the forms including a report from her previous employers works Doctor.They totally contradicted why my wife was made redundant due to ill health and stating that she might be able to work again in 12-16 months time.I ask you some with progressive M.S returning to work , made my blood boil. Anyway all i can say is people don't give up and APPEAL and a useful website i was given by a full time care is www.benefitsandwork.co.uk [google it ]. It was the best £20 i spent and was a massive help in how to fill in forms and what to say.Hope this helps for all of you genuine past N.I and tax payers who deserve it.

jane

I'm sitting here sobbing once more, as all these letters have left me with even less hope for the future than I already had. I have had heart problems for years, could barely walk to the kitchen to make coffee. Unfortunately didn't get a great deal of help from my local hospital. My cardiologist put me out to grass to live on pills for the rest of my days, I was 50. I begged my GP to send me back to the London hospital that operated on my heart as a child and saved my life. Instead I was sent to the GUCH clinic in London..This is for grown ups born with heart desease.
I was told they could help me and they did, after 3 proceedures I was well enough to get a job. This was wonderful, unfortunately it was too strenuous for me and I was suffering from carpal tunnel in both hands and finding myself with arthristis in both feet and a crumbling spine, causing extreme back problems. All these are still undergoing investigations and treatment. To add to all that, while I was filling out my ESA claim form my heart went into AF and I am back on the waiting list for an ablation. I live alone and am struggling not only to make ends meet, but even more to battle with what I think is depression. I don't...CAN'T sleep, cry all the time, can't afford to keep warm or eat. I'm living on cuppa soups., though I have little appetite, but even if I had a little money, I am too breathless to walk to shops anyway. Can't see any way forward into the future. And I too will be moved from my home if I don't pay the extra, which means my children can't come home for christmas etc. Not that there will be a christmas this year.........

Nickie

Got my tribunal hearing tomorrow for ESA, im so scared i dont know what to do. I was in a violent abusive marriage for 17 years, i recently fled my ex husband leaving everything including my children behind , as my daughter has her own place and a son, and my son was 15 and in hes last year of school, i was mentally , pysically , emotionally and verbally abused. I fled to my fathers house, but my ex hounded us and threatened us so badly that my dad tried to commit suicide as he felt he had failed me, my doctors and pyschatrist has diagnosed me with Post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiouty, stress, panic attacks a fear of men, agoraphobia plus other problems, i dont like going out or being in social situations. I have been given a little flat that i can finally call home and now im worried everythings going to be taken away, i got 0 points at my medical, hope this government have got a good euphanasia pakages to offer many people, because ill be asking for one, if they want me to die, they may as well do it humanly, as they are killing me slowly anyway

Malcolm Rasala

So, all you Conservatives at Demos above you can read the effects of your party's selfish, mean-spirited Nasty Party policies. Doubtless you are proud of the misery and suffering IDS and his monsterous actions are bringing about. Your fruitcake theorising is destroying Britains welfare system with the same evil intent motivating your conservative destruction of the NHS and our educational system. Hope you are proud of your delusional think tanking. You are truly on the fringes of social sanity.

Jane dansson

I have worked like others on here and paid my tax and National Insurance like others on here. I became unwell with Fibromyalga and BPPV several years ago. I then went on to get a real problem with my spine, Spondylosis in my lower back. I claimed IB with no problems after a medical, later I had another medical and still qualified. I now have Menieres Disease. 2 years ago I was transferred from IB to ESA without a medical. Last year I had an Atos assessment (medical). Placed in the WRAG Group with a prognosis of 12 months. So Atos reckon I will be cured and fit for work in 12 months time. I sincerely hope I am as I long to go back to work, I actually liked working as I found it gave me a social life and friends and I felt as if I was contributing to life more. Now I am unable to work I feel useless at times. I live with pain every day and l live on pain killers because of my pain. My Atos medical report was full of lies and twisted statements. For example I was asked at this medical what I did in the evenings (I thought this was a odd question at the time) I said crosswords, some reading, sewing and sometimes watched the tv. On my medical report the lady doctor from Atos wrote "WATCHES TV MOST DAYS". This was almost to say that I sit at home, do not work and watch tv all day. Very unfair statement amongst other twisted statements. Atos have got to go they are playing with peoples lives!!!

Has anyone heard from the poor man Norman??? I was wondering if he was ok!!!!

Jane

Sandra Faulks

My 64 year old hubby has worked non stop since he was 15
He suffered a heart attack recently and we will receive NO financial help other than statuatory sick pay as we have worked hard so we could save a little and pay a mortgage and raise our kids
If we had sat on our rears all our lives we would be laughing all the way to the bank now![i too have slogged all my life !]
My hubby has only one kidney andother health issues but was proud to work and is now being kicked in the teeth by the Tory"caring"government

Graham

Re above post!!!

Sandra surely you could apply for ESA. If your husband is put in the Support Group the benefit would not be means tested. If he were to be put in the Work Rlated Activity Group it is means tested after one year. Just thought it may be worth applying. Not easy I know but for some but if your husband has several medical conditions it may be easier for him to get ESA.

Not poking my nose in just thought you were unaware that you could apply.

Graham

colin

this government are digging there own graves they are corrupt just like ATOS ,this will cause mass suicides as people will have nothing to live for, these tory scumbags need shot after losing ESA you get NOTHING that is totally wrong how the fu#k are they getting away with this [and YES] i am disabled but allready lost DLA because of idiot so called ATOS lieing fake doctors taking me off it im now going onto ESA now im hearing from a friend hes had a letter telling him he now gets nothing ,this will cause trouble and the government have only themselfs to blame

Paula Peters

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT GETTING AWAY WITH THIS AND ATOS TOO!!
IF YOU ARE DECLARED UNFIT FOR WORK AS I AM AND CAN NOT GET ESA ALSO I AM TOLD I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR JOB SEEKERS ALLOWANCE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNFIT FOR WORK BY ATOS.

SURELY THIS CAN NOT GO ON!!!!!!!!!!!

P PETERS

Mike

Clearly some of the comments on here have been posted by people who are clueless about disability.

It isn't easy to claim DLA and I have never been successful although I do claim IB.

It will soon stop though as I had saved for my old age. Means testing will mean that I am penniless when I get to retirement.

Fair enough.

The state can look after me then instead of now like it promised when it took 40 years of National Imsirance contributions from me.

Thieves this Governement.

SHAME ON YOU.

Disabled people CANNOT work. Stop forcing them to sign on and stop taking our savings away.

You're better off being a scrounger to be honest. They get money regardless.

Nicola

PLEASE READ: ESPECIALLY THE BIT ABOUT MY ATOS ASSESSMENT.....IT'S TOTAL MADNESS!!!! A year & half ago, I lost my job because of my illness. I was made redundant because basically due to being diagnosed with Rheumatoid & Osteoarthritis I was too much of a nuisance to the company I worked for. We were all asked to fill in the yearly Health & Safety questionnaire, and in the past I let the company get away with so many broken Health & Safety rules, because it was the kind of company that made people feel too scared to stand up for themselves. Anyway, my arthritis was getting so bad, and the conditions in which I was made to work were awful, that when we all received the Health & Safety forms, I was relieved, & filled mine in "HONESTLY" & brought attention to all the health & safety issues I was having trouble with due to my health condition. WRONG MOVE! I was subsequently called a "Trouble Maker". Less than a month later, guess what....they made me redundant!. I received £10,000 redundancy money (they were only going to give me less than 2,000, but I threatened them with a Tribunal) and although I could have claimed J.S.A being as you are allowed to have £16,000 savings, I actually claimed nothing for first 6 months. I paid all my debts with my £10,000 and lived off of the rest, without claiming a single penny in benefit, until it had all gone & I had nothing. My condition had got progressively worse in the past year.

I attended an ATOS assessment, in July of this year, & was informed 3 days before my next fortnightly payment was due, that my money had been stopped, as I was considered fit for work by the assessor.
Here comes the best bit, the ATOS medical person said "she can get in & out of the bath without any help or aids" what I actually said told him was.....I had been provided with a mechanical bath lift, a bed rail, & a raised toilet seat fixture. I also told him that despite having the bath lift, my husband has to help me wash as it is too painful for me to manoeuvre myself, & I also need help with my toilet needs. BUT HERE COMES THE BEST BIT.....he also said...."she was able to sit in a chair for 50 mins without any problem". HE FAILED TO MENTION THE CHAIR I WAS SITTING IN WAS MY WHEELCHAIR!!!!!! and he passed me as FIT FOR WORK!

Claire

After reading some of these comments i am amazed by the storys of the ATOS interviews.

My husband worked all his life till when driving to work 10 years ago was involved in a serouis road accident which resulted in him receiving a bleed on his brain and spinal,knee and leg injurys.
He remained in hospital for 4 months after the accident
He had loss of memory,speech probelms and mood swings,
After a long road of recovery he still suffers mood swings,anxiety back pain due to the spinal injury,his memory and speech recovered slowly.
He takes seven tablets a day for panic attacks,pain killers,sleeping tablets,anxiety attack
My husband has been a patient of the mental health team for 8 years due to his anxiety and panic attacks.
He rarely leaves the house due to his anxiety and panic attacks and has done so for 10 years

We went to a ATOS interview it was the biggest sham i have ever seen in my life.

My husband drove to the interveiw as since his accident he will not travel in a vehicle unless he is driving.
The so called doctor wrote
"THE CLIENT DROVE TO INTERVIEW WITHOUT ASSISTANCE"
That was wrong i told the doctor i pointed out which lane to be in and when to turn of ,this was not mentioned.
"CLIENT LEFT WORK DUE TO BACK PAIN 6 YEARS AGO"
This is wrong he left work 10 years ago due to road traffic accident
"CLIENT CAN USE BATH USING SEAT DISPUTE BACK PROBELM UNAIDED"
This is wrong i told the doctor i hepled my husband on and of his bath seat.
"CLIENT CAN DO THINGS SAFELY IN THE KITCHEN"
Wrong again my husband badly burnt himself trying to cook a meal i told the doctor my husband does not cook due to him injuring himself for at least the last 5 years.
"CLIENT HAD NO DIFFICULTY SPEAKING NORMAL RATE NORMAL VOLUME"
Wrong again my husband stuttered all the way which happens when he gets anxouis.
"CLIENT SHOWED NO SIGN OF ANXIETY AND WAS NOT ROCKING IN CHAIR WHICH INDICATES ANXIETY"
Wrong again why would he take tablets every day for the last ten years for anxiety,stutter have panic attacks and will not travel in a vehicle inless he is driving.
"CLIENT WAS ABLE TO SIT STILL DURING INTERVIEW"
He got up three times during the interview
"CLIENT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH IMPAIRMENT,COPING WITH CHANGE,COPING WITH TRAVEL,BEING SAFELY AWARE,COPING IN SOCIAL SITUATIONS.I ADVISE THAT A RETURN TO WORK WITHIN THREE MONTHS"
I rest my case whats the point in it all this.
Why would someone take seven tablets a day,work with the mental health team for 8 years,not leave the house,not suffer from anxiety because he was not rocking in a chair,like he wanted to be in a car accident 10 years ago.
It was as if the doctor thought we had planned the accident to get the benefits,its all part of the plan.
How these so called doctors can sleep at night is beyond me,dont they understand they are dealing with the most vunerable people.
Thats why disabled people are being hit so hard as they are easy targets and can't fight back.
This is an outrage,cheers david

Frances Ball

Yes we are all scroungers (in the eyes of ESA). I luckily or so I thought got put on the ESA support group. But yet again we are discriminated against. When I was on Incapacity and Income Support with my DLA I could just about manage. I was allowed a budgeting loan whilst on this and had the stoppages from my benefit. Which meant any unexpected cost like washing m/c or fridge breakdown I could manage to replace with budgeting loans. But nobody tells you that on the ESA support group you are removed from this help. There is no Disability Grant (that also ended). So on reduced financial circumstances due to my disability and being unable to work I get no other support. Over 65 (if you are allowed to retire at that age)I can get helpfrom AGE UK but in the interim (4 years) I cannot get any assistance at all. Not even payable back to DWP. This is again discriminatory as an Eastern European here in UK can claim ESA say for an industrial accident get a budgeting loan after 6 months, disappear out of the country and not pay anything back. But my 39years of contributions mean nothing. My disability has in fact disqualified me from bank overdrafts, loans, catalogues etc. My only option to get a fridge is to pay high interest companies such as Provident. Brighthouse etc. So yet again I go without a fridge or winter coat because I cannot save the money up because I cannot earn any money. Shall I go on!!! Another hidden discriminatory factor about ESA.

Georghia

I am frightened every day of getting my ATOS medical. The system is "designed to fail people" especially people with mental health problems. I have EUPD with dissociative and hallucinatory problems, GAD I live in constant fear. I barely leave my house have social phobia, bulimia, insomnia, chronic MDD, and I am on MRC -DLA and LRM - DLA (because I need help and supervision when leaving the house, or a taxi, I also need help with housework, looking after my cats, I cannot cook unsupervised, I need to be prompted to wash, dress, and prevention from hurting myself. I have no regard for danger and no impulse control. I self - harm most days, through inicting second degree burns, cutting, hitting my joints with a hammer. My dissociation cause me to switch personalities which means I cannot work as I would be a danger to myself and others. My EUPD means my moods are capricious I cannot control emotion in any way. I overdose at least twice a month I've only needed medical intervention twice. The day I fail my medical I will commit suicide and I have planned it down to every detail. I am in the support group currently of ESA. I feel guilty that I am in the support group and get this money and DLA (part of my illness constant shame and guilt and anxiety) even though I NEED that money and am not a scrounger or a thief. I am only 23 but because such horrible things have happened to me my personality has fractured and left me a shell. I want so much to work but my illness means for the future I probably won't be able to. I am not getting the support I need and my parents and friends do everything for me. My friend drags me on a weekend twice a year just to get me out of the house and I try my best to enjoy it but I do not deserve any fun because I can't work and I must be treated badly and allowed to be abused because I deserve nothing else. People call me scum because I'm not in a wheel chair or paralysed so I apparently am not disabled. My invisible illness is hard to live with and if they take my money. I won't be able to live. I am single, have no partner and live alone. My parents can't afford to help me financially and why should they? I deserve to die.

Robert Long

I went for an Atos medical assessment earlier this year. I have Menieres Disease and 3 other medical conditions. Meniers being my worse. My medical report was full of incorrect statements by the lady I saw. Some statements were twisted beyond belief.

I have had several hearing tests which should sadly for me I have hearing loss in both ears, right ear now taotally deaf, left ear some hearing loss and have just this week got a hearing aid, thankfully. In my report she stated that I did not have a hearing aid even though I told her I was waiting for one. Apparently I can walk normally even though I can not even wak in a straight line and my balance has been badly affected by Menieres. I have bouts of vertigo where I am very sick at least once a month. I am now too scared to go out on my own incase I have vertigo whilst out again. There is a stigma attatched to Menieres, when you have an attack you act as if you are drunk because you are all over the place because your surroundings are spinning round and you can not co-ordinate. But the lies in my report beggers belief. She could not even get the dates I gave here correct in the report. Said I was in the medical longer than I actually was. The whole medical was rushed, I was in and out within 20 mins but the report states 40 mins. What the hell are Atos playing at, trying to meet targets by the looks of things.
I feel we must all try to do something, but I have not a clue what. How are the government and Atos getting away with this.
Somebody needs to think of something and we get all get together and put a stop to this nonsense. It is hurting so many people. We are not all melingerers. Many of use a really honest and genuine claimants. This 365 day rule in the WRAG group of ESA is diabolical.
Someone try and think of something fast as we all need help.

Thanks Robert

chris

Hi all! I too have been placed in the wrag and the DWP didn't even ask me to attend a medical. I have heart disease, epilepsy and asthma and suffered a miocardial infarction not long ago but they don't care. I fear the sick, disabled and elderly are being eradicated. Hitler deployed the SS to kill those deemed undesirable-Cameron deploys the DWP and the NHS.

Ian

Hi all! I have finished my 365 days ESAC my wife works 16 hours per week because we have boys still at school. I applied for ESA income related which I got the amount is £7 : 32p per week my wife wage works out at £118 per week and we get £91 wtc every 4 weeks.
We have a mortgage which is£ 250 per month. Anyway here is the funny part because we get wtc you must tell them when you get a change of income so I told them about the £7 32p I am getting then wtc gave us more money saying because ESA income related is classed as a state benefit then we was getting to much money to get ESA income related so it stopped then I had to tell WTC that the ESAI had stopped . So then WTC put us back down to the lower rate which is what we are getting now £91 every 4 weeks.Which then men't I can get my £7 32p a week again. But if I tell WTC again it will start going back and forth again. So I don't know what to do.

no one gives a @hit

Ian what you need to do is get a bedsit,the reason i say bedsit is go for the cheapest accomdation you can as you may still have to pay top up on your rent,if the accomdation is to expensive by the time you pay the top up there would be no point.do not stay at home more than 3 nights in a row,do a separate claim stating that you live on your own they will reinstate your esa.Spend a couple nights a week there just to break up the three nights in a row.
It sounds madness i know but i tryed everything this was my only option,do not break the three nights in a row as the will nick you for benefit fraud,they cant fine you because you dont get any money so of to jail but i good thing it costs nothing to stay in there.
Or get your wife to give up her job you would be better off if she didnt work,sounds crazy but this is the way it is,dont give notice to the job best option is to get sacked from the job or they will suspend your wifes benefit for 26 weeks for making herself unemployed.What a load of shit but we are all in it together @uck the lot of em and @uck the system.

karen

Im on incapacity benefit and have not gone over to ESA. I have hearing problems and other things. I also have two children aged 13 and 8.
Even if I get excepted for ESA. My lifes ruined.
I want to move in with my partner but have been told i will lose all my tax credit for my kids , plus also because i would have a partner would lose the ESA too. So im expected to live off £33 a week child benefit for me and my kids.
Does this mean im not disabled anymore because I have a partner. This is discrimation against disabled people saying they can never have a partner to live with or get married in the future.
Now to my boyfriend he earns £1350 a month. We have been told will not be entitled to working family tax credit is wage is the bracket 26,000 . My boyfriend pays to his x wife £250 a month child support. This is not taken into account that he has to pay this out. So that put us down £250. Then is £500 amonth morgage, then £100 council tax. Would leave him £500 a month to feed four of use , clothes, bills , school bus fares and dinners, petrol for is work.
So cannot have a partneras you can see. he cannot afford it and I would lose my child tax credit and ESA if got .
The csa he pays out the csa said it would be reduced £20 a month . God I feel rich now.
People are going to aftwer split up to live on there own.
P.S. I have been on this an hour and cannot find any site i can complain too. You think you can until you get on the site.

John

Well i have been disabled for 9 years now i spend 22 hours a day on my bed in pain, i have been moved onto esa and put in wrag, this is stupid and is causing me lots of stress. I would have toped myself last week , only my wife is disabled too and she needs ne also. I have told her if anything happens i am gone same day. I have ordered off the net things to do this hopfully painlessly, helium hood balloon gas tubing etc, look up helium hood it tels all
Also mixing hydrocloric acid and sulpher, blocks blood oxygen brain barrier, works like cyanide
I should not be reserching this, i have worked since being 16
40 years ago, then i became disabled with multi probs.
I have children and grandchildren but the stress and atitude of the dsa
Dss or whatever is doing this, its ethnicclensing of the disabled
Sorry but this is only part ofthe black dark place they have sent me too
John

sam

hi john, please re concider and sit and wait to see what may happen or how you may feel later. its your chioce, im not here to say its wrong or anything only to say give it some more time first before going ahead. i understand your fustrations depression and stress let alone the pain you have on daily basis as im going through the same. but please, all i ask is give life one more chance and sit it out for your children and grandchildrens sake. and then if your adiment, then thats up to you . 33 disabled and sick people die every week due to this benifit change through either suiside or illness who are forced back to work its so sad and so wrong. all we can hope for is that camaron some how gets kicked out...!! something drasic has to happen and soon, too many of the wrong people are suffering because of this "change". john, i wish you and your familly love and the best of luck. look to god, he will bring you some comfort.

sam

hi transparent shite, i didnt read you post about " the scum of the earth doctors thinking they can lie in your reports " thay do and have on so many occations. the whole assesment thing is flawd, the govenment and banks are flawd. its all about money in this world... how thay can make money and who from. the sick and disabeld are easy targets, give them pain killers, half kill them with side effects and make them more ill then we can make money on the perscriptions.... then send them to work. just gose round and round and all the time the fat cats get ritcher and poor get sicker..!! govenment will lie and cheat but god forbid if we the public did?!

STEVE

Hi, had a letter today saying my ESA was stopped on Thursday last week, i had my medical 4 weeks ago and i got zero points, i am currently or was ! signed off due to anxiety/depression, as well as osteoarthritis in my lower spine, knee, hand and elbow, i also suffer from severe sleep Apnea (114 episodes an hour) im 53 and have never been out of work before in my life apart from the last 3 years, nothing would give more pleasure than to be able to go to work, ive lost my home and everything ive worked for when my marriage broke down, and i currently live in a house share with another person which i rarely leave, i attend hospital for physiotherapy every 4 weeks, the sleep clinic 6 times a year, and my doctors every 6 weeks, yet im still classed as fit for work, who the hell is going to employ me and what could i do.

Im not even sure what im supposed to do next, do i appeal, do i appeal and sign on for jsa?

James middlemas

Just received a letter this morning that my contribution based ESA has stopped from a week ago,no warning or any information concerning my claim.In the previous 365 days I've seen an ESA adviser twice for less than ten minutes each.on both occasions nothing said about money ending or help of any kind.Feel confused battered and totally let down.The first time in my life I feel like a victim and from my own government........

Tony

There's a couple of things that bother me about this whole ESA and work capability business that makes little sense.
Firstly, capability to work with no regard paid to whether that work may endanger your health. An example of this may be, someone with little or no feeling in their hands due to nerve damage. They may be able to use their hand but the fact they feel nothing puts them in extreme danger of seriously hurting themselve's, I know because my hand was in a blowlamp flame without my feeling it. I could just as easily caught it in machinery or shut it in a door.
Secondly and possibly more important for all those with disabilities,
UK law dictates that all employers must have liability insurance to protect employee's in the event of accidents in the workplace. One of the problems with this is, it isn't until you make a claim and find that due to your pre existing condition you weren't fully insured at all. Only for injury totally unrelated to your existing condition and even then the insurance company may try to blame your condition for causing the accident. This appears to be a difficult area to get any clarification on regarding disability at work. I know people that have lost their jobs due to their condition following an accident at work rendering them uninsurable but I'm not sure how it works when taking a job as a disabled person. My advise would be before taking any work as an employee, make sure the employers liability insurance covers you against all eventualities regardless of pre existing conditions. You may limp from a back injury now, but further back injury may put you in a wheelchair for the rest of your life with no compensation.

Jen

I'm 29. I've know since I started working, that paying NI means sod all and to actually cover yourself for illness, you need to have a private insurance policy.

These policies cost very little and I'm happy to pay for one.

I see my NI payments as being nothing at all, and worth nothing to me. So I pay for a private insurance policy.

This means if the worst happens, I won't be left up shit creek without a paddle.

I'm really sorry if other people are naive, stupid or plain lazy and continue to buy into the absurd myth that it's anything like a real insurance policy, but their stupidity is not my fault and I'm not going to be crying over it.

Che Guevara

What this country needs is a revolution. out all the scumbag politicians.

Claudia Wood

Demos would like to thank everyone for the stories being shared in this comment space. We feel they are an overwhelming indictment of the impact of the Government's welfare reform agenda on disabled people, which has left many financially desperate, confused about new assessment rules, and fearful for the future.

I don't feel, however, that we are equipped with the expertise to help those sharing their stories and asking questions on this board, but at the same time, we don't want to leave people here with concerns unaddressed. Having consulted with colleagues in disability organisations, therefore, we have decided the best thing to do is to suspend comments on this board and provide a list of information and contacts where those on this board might find the advice and support they clearly need.

This first link opens a document with a list of telephone, face-to-face, online and written advice sources for disabled and older people, and carers. The second provides a series of links of relevant advice organisations.

We urge everyone who has commented on this board and who remains confused about disability benefits reform, unsure where to turn, or in need of reassurance to make use of the advice organisations listed here. They have been helping hundreds of thousands of disabled people over the past two years navigate their eligibility for ESA, DLA and other benefits, and appeal against unjust decisions – so you aren't alone. Also remember 40 per cent of Work Capability Assessments are appealed, and 40 per cent of appeals are successful. So don't think the situation is hopeless!

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/f15.htm
http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/advicelinks.htm

We also understand the value of having a place to share concerns and experiences, but recognise that the Demos page design isn't suited for this purpose. Therefore, we would like to direct regular visitors to this blog area to the links below, which are forums for disabled people swapping advice and information – the separate subject threads (which are searchable) make it more user-friendly and easier to navigate than this Demos comment area.

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewforum/2/
http://www.carerscentre.com/forum-public.php

Demos has been exploring the impact of welfare reform and service cuts on disabled people since 2010. We are concerned that welfare reform is causing unprecedented hardship and having a grave impact on people’s health and family life. We are also convinced that the government's impact assessments are not fit for purpose in their inability to capture the seriousness of the situations families find themselves in.

The stories shared on this blog – the extent of which is unprecedented for the Demos website – confirm for us that more work needs to be done to expose the impact of welfare and service reform on disabled and older people, and Demos will continue to do this in 2013.