Announcement: ESA claimants now have the option of having their WCA recorded

[hensteeth]

 

 

 

The bottom line was to emphasise on me that following my assessment there will be no immediate decision made that will result in me losing my benefit and she wanted to categorically state that no way would my benefit be stopped without me being told beforehand, as that was not how they do things in that office. She said that if I failed to score 15 points, they would make a decision and then contact me to ask if there was any additional information I could add that may change the decision. If not the claim would then be passed to a second decision maker to check to see if the right decision had been made, at which point they will contact me again to ask if I have anything else for them to consider, that could change the decision. If they then decide not to award ESA I will be contacted and advised of the result and given my options, this would then be followed up with written confirmation.

 

She said that it really should not be an issue and that I was to go away with my family and enjoy ourselves and not worry about anything to do with any assessment.

 

 

 

 

Out of which fairy tale book did they dig that load of bunkum from?

 

If you don't mind I have copied and saved it to my computer as being the way things should be carried out!!

 

I find it almost impossible to believe that the DWP actually believe it themselves!

 

Are they actually saying that they want to help us and are prepared to carry out reconsideration(s) with different DM's just to make sure that they get it right first time?

 

Bo***cks!!

[Simon7685]

I think the easy way round this for any government is simple.

 

As with some other benefits, there should be a run on period. If you are refused ESA, would it really be that much of a financial burden for them to say;

 

1. When you are refused ESA, we will write to you and advise you of the decision.

2. We will continue to pay you the equivalent of JSA from that point on.

3. This will continue for at least 2 weeks after we write to you.

4. We will telephone you to confirm the above.

5. You must either advise of an appeal, or make an appointment to claim JSA within the 2 weeks that payments continue or all benefit will stop from that date.

 

5 simple steps that would surely be much fairer on the claimant ans should mean nobody ends up withoout money, without warning and in the greater scheme of things, it wouldn't cost them anything over and above what you are entitled to claim anyway.

[Simon7685]

Out of which fairy tale book did they dig that load of bunkum from?

 

If you don't mind I have copied and saved it to my computer as being the way things should be carried out!!

 

I find it almost impossible to believe that the DWP actually believe it themselves!

 

Are they actually saying that they want to help us and are prepared to carry out reconsideration(s) with different DM's just to make sure that they get it right first time?

 

Bo***cks!!

 

The last word is exactly what I thought after the call!

[Slatted]

I think the easy way round this for any government is simple.

 

As with some other benefits, there should be a run on period. If you are refused ESA, would it really be that much of a financial burden for them to say;

 

1. When you are refused ESA, we will write to you and advise you of the decision.

2. We will continue to pay you the equivalent of JSA from that point on.

3. This will continue for at least 2 weeks after we write to you.

4. We will telephone you to confirm the above.

5. You must either advise of an appeal, or make an appointment to claim JSA within the 2 weeks that payments continue or all benefit will stop from that date.

 

5 simple steps that would surely be much fairer on the claimant ans should mean nobody ends up withoout money, without warning and in the greater scheme of things, it wouldn't cost them anything over and above what you are entitled to claim anyway.

 

I have always wondered if it were coincidence that assessment ESA and JSA amounts were the same...and if not why they could not just keep up the payments as you state above to allow transition...but that would be too simple and probably different departments etc.....perish the thought that common sense might prevail...?!

[Nystagmite]

The rate of JSA is higher if you receive DLA. I've just gone on to ESA and have lost £30 a week. Really can't afford to do that.

[reallymadwoman]

The rate of JSA is higher if you receive DLA. I've just gone on to ESA and have lost £30 a week. Really can't afford to do that.

 

That is complete lunacy! Who the hell made up that particular rule?

[Nystagmite]

No idea. Apparently, it's because when you get put into one of the groups, you'll get it back then. But if you're over 25 and put into WRAG, you get a few pounds a week less than what you do if you were on JSA with disability premium.

[Simon7685]

So what have you lost? Is it a premium?

[worried33]

As expected I have got a very fast appointment from ATOS, Since the nottingham ATOS centre doesnt appear to be having the backlog issues as other ATOS centres I expect the recorded delays were huring their stats so they resorted to this.

 

On monday this is what I will say to them.

 

The DWP are unaware of what they told me so I repeat my request for a recorded assessment, alternatively I can have someone come with me with a tape recorder but I need to cancel the appointment as I cannot arrange someone at this short notice as I will not be able to carry in the tape recorder myself.

[worried33]

No idea. Apparently, it's because when you get put into one of the groups, you'll get it back then. But if you're over 25 and put into WRAG, you get a few pounds a week less than what you do if you were on JSA with disability premium.

 

yes but you not having to look for work and sign on every 2 weeks.

[Nystagmite]

So what have you lost? Is it a premium?

 

Yes. Under JSA, I received around £85 a week. Under ESA, I receive £56 a week. My living costs haven't changed and it makes no sense as to why I get less money. if you receive ESA, you can't claim IS to make up the difference. (you could do this under IB)

 

yes but you not having to look for work and sign on every 2 weeks.

 

How does that make any difference? My living costs haven't changed at all.

[Simon7685]

This is yet another disgrace of this unfair system, when they can go around taking £30 a week from people at the drop of a hat. So the garbage they state about levels of benefit not going down as a result of the transfer to ESA only apply IF you pass the WCA. So in my particular case I currently receive;

£111.45 Income Support on Disabilty grounds

£43.25 Disability Premium

When they decide to disallow me ESA by giving me 0 points on the WCA and I appeal, I will go down to £111.45.

Am I understanding this correctly???

This applies even though I receive DLA care component???

[Nystagmite]

if you received either IS or IB and ESA is less, you're not affected. It's just those of us who weren't on IS / IB and have made a new claim for ESA.

 

If ESA is more than IB, you'll receive the ESA rate. if ESa is less, you'll receive your current rate.

[Simon7685]

Does that count even if they fail you at the WCA and you have to appeal?

I really need to find out where I will stand with this, if my money is going to drop while any appeal is ongoing, then I need to make plans for it happening now. As it could mean over £43 a week less which is a massive amount of money to lose, just because you appeal their decision.

[worried33]

not if he gets 0 points, please remember this thread is about recorded medicals.

[nolegion]

Useful as RMW's sister thread to this (about Atos telling claimants they can't have a recording after all) was and is, as an expedient to highlight a disgraceful turn of events, I'm taking a guess it might be easier to follow updates and info into next week, if people sooner or later 're-grouped' here (or indeed, there - but one of them!). Just a thought.

 

In any event, I would like to add that, further to SWLABR9 's comment (in that sister thread), "This looks to me like thieves falling out! …"

 

… in an excellent on-line article published this morning (can't link because it's behind a paywall), I read:-

 

"An Atos spokeswoman said DWP was responsible for supplying the recording equipment."

 

[you CANNOT be serious!]

 

But, it's funny how the serious finger-pointing always starts just before something really nasty hits the fan.

[osdset]

An Atos spokeswoman said DWP was responsible for supplying the recording equipment

 

One article about this here http://www.bhfederation.org.uk/component/k2/item/1717-mystery-over-%E2%80%98fitness-for-work%E2%80%99-recording-equipment.html

[Dilizjo]

All 11 broken?????????

 

The ATOS spokeswoman is saying that “A lot of people are getting their assessments audio-recorded at the moment.” has anyone actually heard of anyone having a recording since February when Chris Grayling said that claimants had the right to have their assessments recorded?

 

IMHO Atos should be providing the equipment considering the obscene amount of money they are paid by the tax payers to provide their ineffective service.

[**Margaret**]

During last ten days:

 

We gave up on the 'most unfit for purpose form ever'!! Submitted a statement instead. Took us a week to write but it was an easier option for us and it was accepted by Atos. Maybe an idea for others who can't cope with the tick box format.

 

Spent a day on a written request for audio recording of my interrogation.

 

Spent the next day taking it to the post office for recorded delivery, so Atos can't deny receipt.

 

Spent yesterday preparing a short, but to the point, request to Grayling et al for clarification as 'to record or not to record', with some help from the 'press release'.

Many thanks, although flipping between the threads was tiring.

 

Spent today fuming about info in the posts above. Seems they're very serious about 'not to record' interrogations. Won't stop me asking though, especially after Thursday's parliamentary written answer.

 

Still got to chase a subject access for my claim history and my medical records.

 

Absolutely shattered!!! Haven't got time to get better!!!!

 

Best wishes, Margaret.

[nolegion]

Got invited out earlier this evening – happens to even old grey foxes sometimes –and tried to explain to some friends who are, happily, not caught up in this, what has much pre-occupied my mind of late: namely of course, the subject of this and RMW's thread.

 

It's a vanity in me to claim you will seldom find me lost for words – but I have to say I had some problems. How the hell do you summarise a grotesque fiasco, now several years in the making, which leaves the lives of potentially thousands of the sick and disabled apparently at the mercy of 11 broken recording machines?

 

Thanks for that link, odset. It's to the article I had read, and I am very glad to learn it's syndicated and free. Hits several nails on the head, I think. Passing it on.

 

Thanks for the update, Starry-E. I choose to believe that those who can stand the stress will prevail. I did against DWATO, just; but it is still, in my view, an unforgivable stress. Looking forward to learning more.

Edited July 8, 2012 by nolegion

[RaeUK]

... Under ESA, I receive £56 a week. ...

 

I have no idea why, but hadn't realised you were so young! ...

[Nystagmite]

I have no idea why, but hadn't realised you were so young! ...

 

Oh thank you, Rae!

[count orlok]

I have no idea why, but hadn't realised you were so young! ...

 

Me to. You must be wise beyond your years.

[**Margaret**]

To Nystagmite: Me neither, until a few days ago.

Clearly; disability puts an older head on very young shoulders. Have a friend who's wise beyond her years.

 

Caring for a grandparent: Check!

 

Adapting to disability: Check!

 

Coping with Atos: A very! very!! very!!! long 'work in progress'!

 

Persuading next door's absent landlord that our ajoining garage roofs do need re-felting: Check!

 

Avoiding the Small Claims Court: We're cautiously optimistic!

 

Avoiding a Social Entitlement Tribunal: An even longer!!!! 'work in progress'!

 

Margaret.

[Nystagmite]

 

Adapting to disability: Check!

 

I was once told 3-4 years ago that I should have adapted to sight loss by now because I was born with it. There is only so much adapting you can do. And the older I'm getting, the more problems I'm having.