Dla to be replaced by pip

hrafndot

cit_k wrote: »

Of course they should check, sadly with ESA/IB they rarely do, medical evidence was only requested from a claimaints GP in only 13 percent of IB cases in one year.

They rely more on assessments of a non medical nature, which are not designed to check medical facts.

DLA however, does rely more on real medical evidence, but that will change in the future sadly, allowing more miscarriages of entitlement, and no doubt making it easier to defraud.

Dont understand this, if PIP's are as tough as ESA, there would be less potential.

In your first paragraph, I think you were referring solely to IB.

Cant think why people with bona fide illness are not URGED to provide as much evidence as poss. straight away. Make the DMs life much easier. Maybe also increase recruitment of specialist DMs and bring in a regional panel again, as in the old days to evaluate evidence, or even create a panel from GPs who are now controlling the old trust's GP budgets anyway.

I know the aim is to cut costs, so cutting out medical and tribunal would save a lot.

IB was a method of massaging unemp figures from way back.
ESA's saying everyone's well, and its only the educated who will try to challenge it. The next stage will be the govt saying that illness doesn't exist(unless they've got it). ESA's a really blunt tool. Maybe its a way of shifting the sick onto the Health budget, thus justifying privatisation.

DLA certainly helped towards ever higher heating bills, low mobility means you suffer with the cold, and I think its a legitimate use since winter heating allowance is post 60.

sunnyone

sweetersong wrote: »

I really hope the changes to DLA aren't as bad as they are being made out, but if its anything like the new ESA rules and medical I can understand why people are fearful

I understand that there needs to be regular assesments of peoples health, but it needs to be done in a fair way

I have suspected ME (I say suspected as they still need to rule out other things as there is no particular test for ME) and am unable to work.

Even though I am unable to work in any type of job at the moment (at my best I could do a desk job, but had to give that up in the summer), I would just be placed in the work related activity group, which come 2012, only lasts for 12 months, even if you are still just as ill at the end of it (contributions based-which i would be as my husband works)

I would be more than happy to have medicals 6 monthly if they were fair and it meant that for as long as I was too ill to work, I could claim ESA. I want to work again, I hate not working, but when I am too ill to, what other choice do I have?

dont assume that you will just be put into the work related group, many seriously ill people have been found fit for work and no one can assume anything about ESA.

hrafndot

You know what they say, if you cant be helpful, say nothing..... especially before Christmas. Otherwise you end up like A&F

Sweetersong, book a session at Citizen's advice and take your file along with you., or go on theCitizens Advice or CPAG site to get information.

sweetersong

Sunnyone-Sorry, brain fog earlier, meant that was best case scenario, and would probably have to go to tribunal to even get that from the experience I have seen on the ME support forums I go on

I am "lucky" in that as I stopped work in the summer, and I am expecting a baby in Feb, I am entitled to maternity allowance until August, so won't have to worry about ESA until then

In the process of waiting a decision on my DLA re-assesment at the moment due to how my condition has deteroiated in the last year (have received lower rate motility for 2.5 yrs, but now have care needs as well)

sunnyone

sweetersong wrote: »

Sunnyone-Sorry, brain fog earlier, meant that was best case scenario, and would probably have to go to tribunal to even get that from the experience I have seen on the ME support forums I go on

I am "lucky" in that as I stopped work in the summer, and I am expecting a baby in Feb, I am entitled to maternity allowance until August, so won't have to worry about ESA until then

In the process of waiting a decision on my DLA re-assesment at the moment due to how my condition has deteroiated in the last year (have received lower rate motility for 2.5 yrs, but now have care needs as well)

I hope it goes alright for you for you and bubs, I just wanted to warn you that ESA isnt an easy beast.

Indie_Kid

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I would be willing to submit to a medical every month - providing the medical was carried out by a qualified doctor with an understanding of Autism.

Same here. However, I have the issue of more than one disability, which means that my needs are different (which DWP can't understand) to having either or. And I have issues that other people with my disabilities don't have.

GlasweJen

A medical every month? They can gettae if they even try to pull that one. People with permant health problems don't just get better over night and some of us have lives to be getting on with. I just about manage to work all the blood tests I need around my job without having a DWP medical to schedule in every month.

cit_k

hrafndot wrote: »

Dont understand this, if PIP's are as tough as ESA, there would be less potential.

Tough does not equate to medically sound, or accurate, or even unbiased.

hrafndot wrote: »

In your first paragraph, I think you were referring solely to IB.

for the 13 percent yes, but no reason it wont be similar for ESA, its the same company, same procedures etc.

hrafndot wrote: »

Cant think why people with bona fide illness are not URGED to provide as much evidence as poss. straight away. Make the DMs life much easier. Maybe also increase recruitment of specialist DMs and bring in a regional panel again, as in the old days to evaluate evidence, or even create a panel from GPs who are now controlling the old trust's GP budgets anyway.

Indeed, it would be the sensible thing for the DWP/ATOS to do, but at present, for ESA, they actually do the opposite!

The form itself has very little room for evidence (no where near enough) and the letter that comes with the form also tells you not to send in ANY other evidence with the form!!

Its designed to ensure as few people as possible send in evidence.

petrolhead.

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I would be willing to submit to a medical every month - providing the medical was carried out by a qualified doctor with an understanding of Autism.

Hi, Having been through an ESA assessment myself and failing it with 0 points.

My first reaction was " they have to be joking!"

But then when I look at the various descriptors that I was tested against and if I actually ignore what my medical condition is, I find the assessment to be factually correct.

It actually all depends on what day I am being assessed. I am able to do all of the physical activities on most days, but on intervening days, can't get out of bed with pain, and I certainly don't have any mental problems.

I have appealed obviously to make sure I have some money coming in.

It would not need a doctor or consultant who specialises in any of my illnesses to test me against the descriptors - a trained monkey could do the job! You can either carry out the functions or you can't.
So I don't understand your problem. They are not interested in your medical condition only that you can carry out the functions that dictate if you are fit or not fit for work.

As for my appeal, well I will have to think about that one and maybe hope that it is on one of my 'bad' days!!

Indie_Kid

petrolhead. wrote: »

But then when I look at the various descriptors that I was tested against and if I actually ignore what my medical condition is, I find the assessment to be factually correct.

Why are you appealing if you think they've made the right decision?

It would not need a doctor or consultant who specialises in any of my illnesses to test me against the descriptors - a trained monkey could do the job!

I disagree. Or does a trained monkey know the the full extent of some peoples' disabilities? I've been told by the DWP medical services that I shouldn't have one of the most common issues amongst people with one of my diagnoses. According to their disability handbook, one of my other diagnoses doesn't cause any care or mobility needs - as a result of having this condition, I am unable to raise my arms without my shoulders cracking. This hurts a lot and makes washing my hair and getting dressed painful.