MORE ON BENEFIT CUTS.

       
       For all those on benefit these are very worrying times as our millionaire public school thugs set about cutting and hacking at any form of social benefits. People on Disability Living Allowance are probably among the most vulnerable of those being targeted. Apart from living with their respective health problems, they now have to go through a worrying and stressful process of re-assessment, a process that is no more than an attempt to get them off benefit, saving the government money, irrespective of the effect on the individual concerned.

        Those on benefit and facing cuts should not have to fight this alone, it is important that they are furnished with as much information and support as possible. It is important that they are aware of their rights in all situations. There is a website set up for that very purpose, where you will find a wealth of information on all aspects of benefits and the intended cuts, and how to handle re-assessments. You can find it HERE.

 Solidarity.

      Please spread the word of the help that is available, come together in support, nobody should be alone in these circumstances, unity is strength.

      Everything you need to know on the benefit cuts situation ; http://antibenefitcutsglasgow.wordpress.com/

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FIT FOR WHAT???

Fit for What ?

       Under the previous Labour Government FIT Notes replaced Sick Notes in April 2010. The Coalition has continued to target “the sick”, leading to a huge backload of Appeals.

       The Medical Questionnaire for new ESA* claimants has been fine tweaked from the old one for longer term Incapacity cases, but the methods of conducting the interviews are the same. Dozens of claimants end up at Corunna House, in Cadogan St., near the old Anderston Bus Garage, and few are awarded enough points to be classed as either unfit for work or could be fit in future with help, altered hours etc..

     

       While filling out the Medical Questionnaire well, may help, the fact is that ATOS the agency contracted to conduct the interviews are paid on results. Like “bounty hunters” they aim to get people off benefits & often people are awarded Nil or few points despite their GP instigating hospital tests, often not even started when the ATOS “expert” makes their decision. ESA Claimants are reduced to basic benefit on Appeal, which for those on their own NI contributions, is ironically better than they were under Incapacity when Appeals led to only means-tested claimants being eligible, and at less than the basic rate.

The Old Divide & Rule.

       Now Ian Duncan-Smith, one of many Millionaires in the Cabinet, has new more draconian measures than even 'New Labour' brought in. At worst case a punter could face a 3 year ban from benefits. Although some will fall “foul” of this, most will be forced, as at present to comply and go through the motions of seeking work, placements, re-skilling, much of the time by dubious bodies like the Wise Group.

     

       21C Capitalism needs a “reserve army of labour” to keep wages in check , undermine terms & conditions, casualise contracts & drive expectations down. Above all these Rulers in Lab/Con/Lib, and in Scotland & Wales add , want this 'reserve army' - whether on the sick or signing on, or in limbo before retirement, caring for disabled or elderly, or in households where their partner is the only earner - to think individually, to internalise their anger, and not think of common cause.

      A small group of claimants, including former benefit advisors made redundant, have followed their counterparts in Edinburgh [2], and started to leaflet Corunna House. People coming in & out, often in poor health, a state of anxiety, angry or bewildered, are understandably pre-occupied with their own situation. It becomes every “man (or women) for themselves”, not quite “dog eats dog”, that is more akin to jobseekers at interviews, where hundreds chase every post.

     The point of such leafleting, and the more in depth approach by Edinburgh claimants[2], is to highlight to those who discuss what ATOS are doing, and their individual problems with benefits, that they are not alone. It takes a positive appreciation to grasp that you do what your Rulers least want: to self-organise, to adopt the wobbly[3] slogan, “an injury to one, is an injury to ALL”.

     The crap we, and our mates endure, in and out of work, will carry on until a real shake up changes our mindset to say: we are fit for a better future, we produce the wealth, plundered all over the world by corporations & Governments. Those occupying banks & showrooms of Vodafone etc., have shown the way. We will feel better, no matter what burden we are carrying, if we help create an alternative to this system, from the ground up [4], a big society to overturn all elites!

     Key:    [1] Employment & Support Allowance;

                [2] Edinburgh Coalition v Poverty: 0131 557 6242 on Tuesdays 12-3pm , Email ecap@lists.riseup.net     http://www.edinburghagainstpoverty.org.uk/ ;

                [3] Wobbles are rebel workers, opposed to wage slavery, influenced by the Industrial Workers of the World, which has a Clydeside branch*;

                [4] Byword of Westgap, a community resource and advice centre in Partick, not tied to Council plans or tied to the “expert” advisor mentality, contact 342-4343, Mon to Thursday 10-4.

                * Contact via my email hereandnowscot@email.com

                by Jim McFarlane -



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DISABILITY BENEFIT CUTS.

This article describes how claimants for disability benefits can deal with the examination by professionals, which for many claimants are central in deciding whether or not you are entitled to disability benefits. The examinations are run by Medical Services (MS) which is operated by the private profit making company ATOS on behalf of the Department for Work and Pansions (DWP).

       It is frequently the case that people with a long-term illness gradually minimise in their own minds the effect of their illness on their everyday lives and develop survival strategies to cope on a daily basis in an attempt to lead as normal a life as possible.

      This can cause a problem as this habit when taken into a medical examination does not present a true picture of the illness and could be misleading. The reality of your illness is what must be presented to the MS medical professional and to the DWP.

AT THE EXAMINATION.

You should be aware that the examination begins on entry to the examination centre and does not end until you leave the centre. An evaluation of your medical condition dos not only take place when you are in front of the examining medical professional, but also potentially on your way into the building, in the waiting room, and on your way out. They could note the length of time you can sit without apparent discomfort, how you pick up your bag,etc.

          The information obtained at the examination is used within a legal framework, to decide on your benefit entitlement - it is therefore vital to make sure youir legal rights are protected.

        During the examination you should:

         Time the length of any breaks, the medical professional should becourteous and considerate. The medical professional should spend some time explaining the purpose of the examination and ask if you are willing to be examined. The medical professional should ask you and give you time to explain YOUR OWN VIEW of how you are affected by your condition, including how it affects your ability to do day to day tasks, like shopping, cooking, cleaning and so on.

        The examing medical professional should not attempt to "manipulate" parts of your body. 

        1.  Make sure the medical professional realises the full extent of your illness/disability, including any other conditions/illnesses you may have. The mediacl prefessional does not know your medical history.

        2.  Describe how you feel on a "bad day" rather than a "good day".

        3,  The examination can be halted to allow you to go to the toilet, have a glass of water, take a pill, or if you feel faint or ill.

        4.   The examination should only prceed if you feel happy to continue.

        5.   You should refuse to do anything that hurts or distresses you.

        You have the right to have someone accompany you during the examination.

        The person accompanying you can:

        1.   Take notes, write down the name of the examining medical professional. Any aggresive attitude or manner adopted by the medical professional should benoted. Write down the exact words spoken.

        2.   Intervene and ask for the examination to be halted if the claimant becomes unwell or distressed. the claimant should have a break until they feel well enough to continue.

        3.   Object to and stop any attempt by the medical professional to have the claimant do exercises which could injure or distress them. You should have the examination stopped if the claimant is becoming ill or distressed for any reason. If the claimant is not fit to continue then the examination should be postponed until another day.

        4.   If the claimant's distress is due to the mistreatment by the medical professional, stop the interview, say that you will be making a complaint witha request for an examination at a future date witha different medical professional. 

        At the end of the examination ask the medical professional to read back their notes, to check that they have made an accurate record. If the medical professional refuses, then note that and what reason the give for refusing. If there seem to be any inaccuracies in the medical professional's notes, check with the claimant, then if necessary ask the medical professional to change their notes. If they refuse then make a note of that, writing down exactly what they said.

      AFTER THE EXAMINATION. 

      If the medical professional did anything wrong, then as soon as possible afterwards write a letter of complaint to DWP - don't wait for the deision to come through. The letter should be signed by bothe the claimant and the accompanying person. There is more info on making a complaint in the Disability Rights Handbook, (Disability Alliance).

    HOW YOU CAN BE FOUND INCAPABLE OF WORK EVEN IF YOU DON'T SCORE ENOUGH POINTS.

     Even if you don't score enough points under the personal capability assessment - the medical test to decide if you're incapable of work - you may still have a chance of being found incapable either at claim or appeal stage. This is because of a little know "exceptional circumstances" rules.

      There are a number of these, but probably the most important is regulation 27(b), which states that you will be found incapable of work, "---there would be substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if he were found capable of work--".      

    MORE INFO HERE; http://antibenefitcutsglasgow.wordpress.com/   

           OR   EMAIL; antibenefitcutsglasgow@gmail.com

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