Ian Davies · @IanTheInventor
5th Jan 2013 from Twitlonger
@Hossylass copied the quote to twitlonger.
DWP says it doesn't want people "written off".
DWP says it wants to offer "support".
This is what those statements really mean:
If you suffer with a degenerative or progressive condition which cannot ever improve, DWP will not write you off.
Even though every test and examination you get from your clinicians indicates no change at best or deterioration at worst, DWP will not accept that you do not need another WCA.
Even if they agree (usually after a protracted battle) to place you in the Support Group of ESA, it won't be for long.
Even if you have cancer, the rules are that you can claim Support Group ESA only for the 6 months allowed - if you do not die on time, you will get a WCA, even when your consultant tells the DWP that your slow-growing astrocytoma will takes a few years to finish you off.
DWP can "deem" you incapable of work while you're in hospital having chemotherapy, ditto the next day for "recovery", but you could be raring to go by day three and "deemed" capable of work. This applies to renal dialysis and other conditions.
Having not been "written off" the chances are you will be allocated to the Work Related Activity Group of ESA - if you get to keep ESA at all.
This is where you get the "support".
Until 1st.December 2012, International Day of Disabled People, this involved a series of 6 "work-focussed interviews" which were compulsory and which might result in being sent to a Work Programme provider.
Since 1st.December, all WRAG claimants must engage with whatever the DWP adviser tells them to do. This means immediate Work Programme, with "training" and compulsory indefinite work "experience".
If you sign on for JSA, any workfare is limited to 6 months - if you are sick, it's indefinite. Failure to comply attracts a sanction of £71 which means you will have £28 or less to live on each week.
11,000 WRAG claimants have had benefits sanctioned since 2011 for this reason - people who even DWP and Atos agree are not capable of work are being sent to work, and when they prove their tormentors correct, they are punished for being right. Kafka would be proud.
The vast majority of workfare providers have no idea how to deal with people who are ill. They have no idea how to cope with people who have significant mental health problems or learning difficulties. Their premises are rarely suitable for people who have mobility problems.
FOI requests have failed to elicit any information from DWP as to who is responsible for the risk assessments and public liability insurance to cover claimants who are made more ill, or injured in an inappropriate setting for their needs, as a direct result of a workfare placement.
That is the reality of people not being "written off" and that's the "support" they can expect. No wonder there have been 24 suicides (as confirmed by evidence in coroners courts) with more under investigation since 2010.
Lord Freud has expressed the view that it is "worth" £62,000 to get an ex-IB claimant into work. He also, like many DWP documents, refers to long-term claimants as "stock".
The old IB system, rated by OECD as the toughest regime in Europe, was fair and realistic. The in-house doctors spent time and effort getting it right.
It was less stress for claimants, as they had a full examination and they knew that their medical evidence would be considered.
If given a long-term award, they would still be reassessed - just not so often.
And if they were dying, they were left alone to get on with it. Unlike now.
The old system did not cost £110,000 Million. Atos does.
The old system did not generate £80 Million in appeals costs. This one does.
The DLA/PIP conversion is likely to cost £700 Million. Atos and Capita have got contracts worth £400M and £140M respectively for the various areas of the country they will cover; Northern Ireland has yet to be sorted out, which is true of the new IT required.
Atos have just 19 doctors for this - the assessments will be done by "specially trained" nurses and other disciplines who are, apparently, "disability analysts" after a few weeks training at... Atos - who say they will try to recruit people who are disabled themselves to reassure claimants that the assessors are "understanding".
Neil Kinnock was right all those years ago - "I warn you not to be...."
If you are sick, disabled, dying - you will not be "written off" if you are worth money to a Work Programme provider.
If you are ill, you will get all the "support" you need to work for your benefits and make money for employers.
If you do not comply, you will be destitute.