From IB to ESA. Worried!!

NASA_2

suelees1 wrote: »

I feel that this can often be said about the DWP - the mess they can make of claims and awards

I've no doubt that there are claims that are decided on wrongly but the majority of cases are paid correctly.

And while some fault does fall with the DWP for overpayments there is plenty of fraud out there too. People 'forgetting' to declare income or capital etc.

nogginthenog

NASA wrote: »

It is irrelevant what the GP thinks.

They should be the last people to decide benefit entitlement.

A gp,s opinion is as relevent as anybodys esp if it is a proven fact.

And at present a persons benefit entilement is decided by a person who is not medicaly qualified,..That cannot be right!

NASA_2

nogginthenog wrote: »

A gp,s opinion is as relevent as anybodys esp if it is a proven fact.

And at present a persons benefit entilement is decided by a person who is not medicaly qualified,..That cannot be right!

What do GP's know about the benefit system?

'Sickness' Benefits arent to do with being sick, half the world is sick, getting IB/ESA is about ability to work. Just because someone is sick does not mean that they cannot work and that is why entitlement should not be decided by GP's.

I guess a GP's opinion might be relevant if they have disagnosed a terminal illness or a contagious disease but aside from that their opinion shouldnt really be worth too much at all.

tazwhoever

NASA I really like your views and you have experience, but between Hospital Consultants/GP and ATOS, I would rather take Hospital/GP views and not ATOS...

yellowduck_2

ATOS assessements are done by computer within proscribed limits, I for one would not like to have a GP or hospital consultation done like this.

NASA_2

tazwhoever wrote: »

NASA I really like your views and you have experience, but between Hospital Consultants/GP and ATOS, I would rather take Hospital/GP views and not ATOS...

For a diagnosis, certainly, I have no problem with that.

For benefit entitlement, I'll take ATOS (Although they dont actually operate in my area), because it is deciding entitlement to benefit that is being done and not prescribing treatment.

nogginthenog

NASA wrote: »

What do GP's know about the benefit system?

'Sickness' Benefits arent to do with being sick, half the world is sick, getting IB/ESA is about ability to work. Just because someone is sick does not mean that they cannot work and that is why entitlement should not be decided by GP's.

I guess a GP's opinion might be relevant if they have disagnosed a terminal illness or a contagious disease but aside from that their opinion shouldnt really be worth too much at all.

Nobodys opinion should count, it should be done on medical facts and probability , and not a computor program or by someone who has seen a claimant on one occasion.

mikeandcaz

happy_lass wrote: »

reading this is like a mirror image of my daughter who is severely autistic, struggles to put 2 words togeather, bites herself , is on various medication to keep her calm etc etc. yes she is on high rate IB and DLA for life too.

Hi happy_lass.

Hard work isn't it. How old is your daughter if you dont mind me asking?
This new ESA is going to be a nightmare I think, as if we dont have enough to do as it is.

BTW im Caz

mikeandcaz

So ATOS are the ones who ulimately make the decision on whether you get ESA.

I know I have had no dealing with ATOS yet. However when the time comes what makes ATOS, who have had no dealings with my son, think they know more about my son than GP, Pychatrist, or hospital specialist [Prof who is expert in autism] who have dealt with him since he was 3 yrs old. Surely it should be those people who have the say.

Prinzessilein

NASA wrote: »

For a diagnosis, certainly, I have no problem with that.

For benefit entitlement, I'll take ATOS (Although they dont actually operate in my area), because it is deciding entitlement to benefit that is being done and not prescribing treatment.

My benefit entitlement (IB and DLA) is dependent on my medical condition. My GP and my Specialist have both stated that I am unable to even look for work.

Why should the word of someone at ATOS with limited (if any) medical training be taken above the advice of people who have years of medical training?

I live in constant terror (no exageration, just speak to my mother!) at being called before ATOS. My claims are not fraudulent. I am genuinely unable to work or even seek work. However, I have absolutely no confidence in the competence of the ATOS decision makers. When the time comes for my IB claim to be transfered to ESA and if I am found to be fit for work I will appeal. Should the appeal be unsuccesful then I already have a plan to kill myself. Sadly, I cannot work, being forced into this position is so terrifying to me that ending my life is the only viable alternative. And I feel sick to my stomach that these unfair government policies have condemned me to this life of fear. My medical condition os bad enough without having this additional Sword of Damocles hanging over me.