There is a post regarding proposed changes to those who claim welfare under the new Labour government. Have spoken with my friend who is senior at the Home Office. He explains it this way ..... When it was decided a few years back to allow those with mental health issues to claim for assistance, the intention was to make it easier for those with mental health issues like schizophrenia, severe learning difficulties etc ..... What happened was over 2.5 million people with minor depression, anxiety, etc put in claims and because of the wording of the legislative change many received support and used it to the claim ESA. The intention of these currently proposed changes is not aimed at virtually all those with physical problems but is aimed at pushing individuals with depression and anxiety to receive certain treatments and support and go back into work. It will not be an immediate cut off from support but will be a graduated removal of government support. Those who have no physical disabilities will be looked at first. So an example of who they are aiming at is the lady who lives on my road ..... Claims that her anxiety is so severe that she cannot get out of the house without a car ..... But she can use her car to go to the gym and local social club ..... In other words, if she can do that then why couldn't she attend work?
Let me just say ..... I have had reactive depression following the loss of my baby when I was seven months pregnant. I've also suffered from severe anxiety attacks for two years following a rape. DWP and their doctors were extremely supportive in both cases. They even helped negotiate part time hours at work for me. They are pretty good at knowing who are trying to get better and back into work ..... I honestly found them hugely helpful. I did ask him if he knew how Fibromyalgia is being considered ..... He came back to me later and said ..... If the diagnosis was made some years ago by a psychiatrist who is also treating depression, then the individual should return to their doctor and request to see a rheumatologist who is the only medical doctor who will be recognised as providing an accurate diagnosis.
I hope that this helps alleviate the worries of some of us ...... If you have Autoimmunes, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and depression associated with those illnesses then you may see absolutely no changes at all.
Iain Duncan Smith
Transfer from DLA to PIP
Atos benefit claimants face biased medical assessments, doctor alleges. Evidence for claims was never put forward by the company.
Warning 365 days on ESA your money will be stopped. Are you all aware of this
WOW - War on Welfare
