Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

Prinzessilein

When I was finally awarded DLA (both components at Lower Rate) I was informed that the award was indefinite because they accepted that my condition (ASD) is not going to get any better.

Would it not make sense then that people with similar awards are excused the medical? - it just seems a waste of money to me!

What I can see happening is that I will be examined by someone from ATOS who has minimal medical training and no understanding of Autism. I will not speak to him (I am an elective mute) and he will ignore my representative from DIAL, and he will not read the Specialists report I have provided. After 20 minutes he will decide that I have no need for DLA.....and as I suspect that the medical will (to save time and money) also cover IB he will also decide I am fit for work!

I have absolutely no objection to having a government medical examination. However, it is vital that the person examining me understands Autism!

de1amo

i find the most stressful time in my life is the worry of assessments and these form fills--the only person to assess an illness correctly is a consultant who in my case has said many times he would move to block me working because he knows from years of experience that the stressors would trigger a relapse and cost 'him' a fortune in hospital bills-i was once sectioned 3'd and that means he has ultimate say over everything in my life in connection to my liberty and mental welfare---these people at atos do not have the relevant experience or qualifications to make these judgement calls but they can cause an awful lot of stress and long term damage if they get it in their head your 'fit'!!

preciousillusions

It is beyond me how people who have not experienced what it is like for another person, in their shoes, dealing with a mental health issue including depression which can be severe and life-long, have the nerve to judge other people. I really thought we had come along with regards to mental health awareness in this country but it appears not by this thread. Depression can at an extreme level cause all sorts of emotional and physical difficulties. I would never claim that i knew what it was like or how hard it is for any other person unless i had actually lived through everything they had, so why some people feel they are entitled to do that is baffling. It's condescending and completely insensitive, and the comments about depression just being about 'feeling a bit low' or 'getting takeaways because you can't be bothered to cook' are absolutely STUPID, and laughable tbh. I mean !!!!!!?

sox8369

There is no way that these ATOS doctors can be well informed and knowledgable on every medical condition - this is way it amazes me that they often ignore the medical evidence provided by the claimants own consultant/gp - its either extreme arrogance that they know better than the specialist - or a complete farce and waste of money -or a bit of both perhaps.

I do agree that some claims may need medicals but there must also be some conditions/problems/needs that to medically examine would just be a total waste of time and money for all parties. However I wouldnt want the job to decide which category each claimant fell into.

de1amo

My fathers a retired GP and has absolutely no time for my mental health issues -if i can function enough to make my way to his home and hold a decent conversation in his oppinion i can hold down a job--i have had part-time jobs in the recent past by they invaribly lead to deteriation in my health--i am a house husband now who cares for my 12 year old step daughter--- so i am useless to society and should be put in front of a firing squad--thats my fathers oppinion btw

-i believe a lot of the assessment can be made on what meds you take--espeically in mental health which even GPs(apart from my father) can make informed guesses on from there magical drugs books

preciousillusions

de1amo wrote: »

i find the most stressful time in my life is the worry of assessments and these form fills--the only person to assess an illness correctly is a consultant who in my case has said many times he would move to block me working because he knows from years of experience that the stressors would trigger a relapse and cost 'him' a fortune in hospital bills-i was once sectioned 3'd and that means he has ultimate say over everything in my life in connection to my liberty and mental welfare---these people at atos do not have the relevant experience or qualifications to make these judgement calls but they can cause an awful lot of stress and long term damage if they get it in their head your 'fit'!!

Completely agree. I woulldn't be worried about these assessments so long as the person assessing is fully trained, but i worry they won't be at all as it will cost more money to employ those people.

eta - i am sorry your father regards you in that way .

covlass

My daughters DLA will be up for renewal when she is 16 & I hope she does have to have a medical to be honest after fighting 18mnths with DLA last time it was a joke. I also agree that it is Vital these people fully understand Autism after all if they are going to do a medical on a person with Autism then surely they should fully understand what it is !

de1amo

the pieces will be left for the nhs to pick up --the atos criterior seems to be driven by getting as many people off the sick list thus forfilling their role in the great gravvy train of gov depts -(if you left it to my father there would be 100pc employment rate)-- i am hoping this new Government might have a shred of common sense and see what is obvious--get unqualified people to make important decisions and it will cost you further down the line----i do see there are con artists that need weeding out by directing resources at the gp/consıltant level and leave really ill people alone and save money there---i have learnt to ignore my father because he will be meeting his maker long before me!!

government_slave

I have read the thread.
I am a carer to my severly autistic son who has sever learning disabilities and behaviourial problems, he was awarded DLA HRC and HRM for life at the age of 16, he was also awarded IB for life when he was 18 he attended a special needs school and is now attends a day care centre for adults with learing disabilities.
What is the point and going to the expense of giving people like him a medical when he has been disabled since a very young age [he was diagnoised at the age of 2]. Thought they were trying to save money.

Indie_Kid

de1amo wrote: »

i always thought they do revisions periodically-they send the forms out for assessment and drag you in if they feel you have changed--much like dwp does--i had a medical when i first went on dla because initially it was refused but i had to attend an appeal with 3 docs---as the poster says major mental health disorders just dont get better--more likely worse with passing years

There is something called right payments programme. A certain amount of people are chosen at random and have forms sent out to them each year.

Unfortunately, not everybody with a chronic condition is under the care of a specialist

Exactly. I'm not under care for two of mine because no-one can do anything to help me.

Then if your depression requires DLA there would be a consultant who has agreed your condition requires it.

It shouldn't be up to a consultant or even a GP. My GP (because I haven't had time to see her yet) isn't aware of everything that's happened in the last few months.

Many GPs and consultants aren't aware of the needs of their patient. All both of mine really know is that I struggle with reading - nothing mor.