Originally Posted by
headlight
I volunteer 2 afternoons a week in a Citizens Advice Centre & TBH think the film is pretty factual regarding how people are treated by DWP & assessment companies & the resultant outcome.
I have just been involved in a case where a client had been on DLA for 25 years due to severe mental health problems.
The person had been previously sectioned several times, had attempted suicide several times, self harmed etc.
The husband had eventually given up a well paid job to become her full time carer as things were so bad.
They are on a raft of very strong medication to try to stabilise them.
They have just had a PIP face to face assessment.
Prior to the assessment they sent letters from their consultant psychiatrist, psychtriatic nurse & GP all stating that there was no way they could work.
The PIP assessment has totally ignored the evidence given by trained medical professionals with years of experience in both their field & with this particular patient & decided that they are fit for work !
DLA & carers has been stopped & the couple have both been told to look for work.
The wife is totally incapable of looking for or doing work & the husband is afraid to leave the wife, should he be able to find work, due to the possible outcome so they are receiving no benefits.
An appeal has just been started which they will probably win but they have no income between now & the outcome of the appeal.
I fear for both of them during the next at least 6 months as they await an appeal with no money & bills piling up.
The govt claims that it"s aim is weeding out abusers of the system & helping those that can work back in to work.
the film in question & my own experience shows this not to be the case.
I think that they are failing miserably & it is those who know how to abuse the system that can & will continue abusing it whilst genuine claimants who don"t are subjected to measures that they should not be.
God help anyone in this country that falls on hard times, for whatever reason.