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Family & Relationships1 min ago
Limbless Teen Told He Must Prove Disability
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Edward Bright lost his limbs as a child as a result of meningitis. Upon applying for disability benefit, he was told that he would have to prove his disability to 'assessors' - a requirement which the DWP only withdrew after public pressure.
Lest you think this kind of thing is an isolated case - assessors have previously been instructed by the DWP that they are supposed to discriminate against people whose mobility is limited by mental illness:
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According to a recent FOI request, these assessments (most of which are carried out by the company Maximus) are estimated to have cost about £100 million in the last year, and significantly, those who appeal their assessments are overwhelmingly likely to win:
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Is this really a sensible way to run the benefits system? Or are these assessments just a cynical method of trying to deny money to the disabled in the name of "making savings"?
Edward Bright lost his limbs as a child as a result of meningitis. Upon applying for disability benefit, he was told that he would have to prove his disability to 'assessors' - a requirement which the DWP only withdrew after public pressure.
Lest you think this kind of thing is an isolated case - assessors have previously been instructed by the DWP that they are supposed to discriminate against people whose mobility is limited by mental illness:
http://
According to a recent FOI request, these assessments (most of which are carried out by the company Maximus) are estimated to have cost about £100 million in the last year, and significantly, those who appeal their assessments are overwhelmingly likely to win:
https:/
Is this really a sensible way to run the benefits system? Or are these assessments just a cynical method of trying to deny money to the disabled in the name of "making savings"?
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Having worked 8 years on tax credits - believe me the number of genuine claims are outstripped by the number of claims being bumped up!
Would you be so happy if a mother with 8 children who claimed she had 3 disabled children whilst claiming she was ill with depression and being carer for her sick partner was handed out money without checking?
In my mind we are handing out taxpayers money and therefore need to ensure it goes to those that need it not the ones who are milking the system.
Would you be so happy if a mother with 8 children who claimed she had 3 disabled children whilst claiming she was ill with depression and being carer for her sick partner was handed out money without checking?
In my mind we are handing out taxpayers money and therefore need to ensure it goes to those that need it not the ones who are milking the system.
//how many are getting benefits fraudulently and haven't been caught? //
Well, even if it is more than double the known estimate, then it is still pretty insignificant.
//That is not true though is it. //
Why do you think so many people are disputing the results of their assessment? And winning? About 160,000 people are expected to get disability benefit back-payments as a result of wrongful assessments - which is still less than the number of people denied money altogether when the change from DLA happened:
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Even the DWP itself tepidly admits that disabled people are being denied sufficient support:
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So yes, there are thousands of cases of people with disabilities either being denied money outright or having it seriously reduced for no reason.
Well, even if it is more than double the known estimate, then it is still pretty insignificant.
//That is not true though is it. //
Why do you think so many people are disputing the results of their assessment? And winning? About 160,000 people are expected to get disability benefit back-payments as a result of wrongful assessments - which is still less than the number of people denied money altogether when the change from DLA happened:
http://
http://
Even the DWP itself tepidly admits that disabled people are being denied sufficient support:
http://
So yes, there are thousands of cases of people with disabilities either being denied money outright or having it seriously reduced for no reason.
Whilst it may appear outrageous that the sixteen-year old was asked to attend a re-assessment, as with many things making the headlines, it is an exception. No doubt processes will be reviewed.
Regarding appeals and mandatory reconsiderations, it may be that new evidence is provided which wasn't available when the original decision was made. That means the original decision was correct based on what the Decision Maker knew at that time.
Regarding appeals and mandatory reconsiderations, it may be that new evidence is provided which wasn't available when the original decision was made. That means the original decision was correct based on what the Decision Maker knew at that time.
As I've said on at least 3 different threads in the last month - the system is broken and keep wheeling in a new outfit is only patching things up.
As Ellie says, people are repeatedly made to jump through the hoops, a costly appeal often follows with a even more costly tribunal of Professionals who shake their heads and say 'Why is this person here again after the last tribunal?'
Balance the cost of all this against the small saving made by those who don't appeal or give up and end it all, and figures saved may shift.
As Ellie says, people are repeatedly made to jump through the hoops, a costly appeal often follows with a even more costly tribunal of Professionals who shake their heads and say 'Why is this person here again after the last tribunal?'
Balance the cost of all this against the small saving made by those who don't appeal or give up and end it all, and figures saved may shift.
I haven't read all posts, so I may duplicate the point, but another stupidity is that even if nothing can change healthwise, you are still expected to undergo assessment periodically.
I have a brain tumour that can't be removed without serious possible consequences and which at present causes enough problems to warrant a legitimate claim. Yet I have been assessed FOUR times so far since 2012. Utter waste of money!
I have a brain tumour that can't be removed without serious possible consequences and which at present causes enough problems to warrant a legitimate claim. Yet I have been assessed FOUR times so far since 2012. Utter waste of money!
Conditions may deteriorate over time and say mean a higher benefit entitlement. Without a periodic re-assessment, how would that be captured?
A claimant may have had a serious condition for many years but medical treatments also change. A previously untreatable condition may have improved due to medical breakthroughs. If a claimant has received that treatment and their disability has improved or no longer exists, how would that be known without continuing assessment?
A claimant may have had a serious condition for many years but medical treatments also change. A previously untreatable condition may have improved due to medical breakthroughs. If a claimant has received that treatment and their disability has improved or no longer exists, how would that be known without continuing assessment?
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