More than 2,500 benefit claimants die after being found fit for work in just two years

a reply to: weemadmental

Yes the DWP make the final decision. HAAS only carry out the assessment. It was the same with ATOS. Your previous post regarding specialists. Specialist letters carry more authority than a GP in my opinion and also show that you are seeking resolution or assistance with your illness/disability.

The way the ESA assessment are designed is related to the government's perception that just because you have an illness and cannot do your usual employment, you may be able to do some other type of employment.

I read on a works and benefits forum that you should always complete the form on your computer (downloadable pdf form) and that if it takes you severals days you should state this. The reason they suggest this is that by completing the form manually it tells them immediately your skills related to handwriting, the ability to sit at a table for a period of time and the mental ability to complete the form is not impaired. This will immediately suggest to them that you are capable of a desk job. If the person then states they can walk 200m it suggests to them you can take public transport (to a desk job).

See what I am getting at? It is very underhanded.

You see the DWP has this sorted.

They design the criteria for support group/limited capability for work.

They design the descriptors and points system which the benefit is based on.

They design and deliver the training for the doctors, nurses and physios into how the descriptors are interpreted.

They audit and sign off on the reports created.

They make the final decision as to the award of the benefit.

They organise the payments and administrate the sanctions system.

The only part of the process carried out by CHDA (and previously Atos) is the actual assessment itself. Yet CHDA gets all of the flack when people die or a tribuneral happens. They are carrying out the assessments they were hired to do in the way they were instructed to do it using the criteria laid out by the DWP.

I'm not a fan of the system, but it seems obvious that which ever company is used for this is there simply to be the front man and take the flack for failings in a system they didn't design.

originally posted by: deliberator
I read on a works and benefits forum that you should always complete the form on your computer (downloadable pdf form) and that if it takes you severals days you should state this. The reason they suggest this is that by completing the form manually it tells them immediately your skills related to handwriting, the ability to sit at a table for a period of time and the mental ability to complete the form is not impaired. This will immediately suggest to them that you are capable of a desk job.

Of course if you do it on computer you are demonstrating your IT skills which is also suitable for a desk job.

Assessments need to be carried out in a less than direct manner as so many people either lie on the form or grossly under report their actual abilities. If people just told the truth then there would be no need for indirect questioning. However many people are out for themselves and will often do what ever it takes to get the money whether they are entitled to it or not.

My other half (who does these assessments) has lost count of the number of people she has assessed (who apparently can't leave the house due to their massive social phobias and anxiety disorders) she regularly sees wandering around the town shopping and chatting with people without a care in the world. People who apparently can't walk the length of 2 busses without collapsing strolling along the street carrying loaded shopping bags. People who can't be around anyone they don't know but are out on the piss in the local pubs on a weekend.

These lying vermin are taking money from sick people. If it wasn't for them then the system would be able to accommodate those in real need without arbitrary assessments.

a reply to: PaddyInf

You make valid points. I think I am slightly biased as I have been helping someone with a chronic, physical, incapacitating illness formulate their replies (changing from IB to ESA). The amount of stress this individual has experienced in relation to the WCA form has been severe. She is now being treated by her GP for anxiety.