Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

As a Carer I am paid £55.55 for a minimum 35 hour week... with no holidays

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

My wife does the same for my son 24 hours per day, but this is NOT the point l am making.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

It's not the disabled who are the target. It's the fraudsters who are claiming DLA, when they aren't entitled to it.

---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:22 ----------

People will always ask for links in forums if they don't believe you.

If it is that important to them, then they can do the research themselves....don't be bullied.

---------- Post added at 21:25 ---------- Previous post was at 21:25 ----------

Actually restbite is available

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Sorry, asking for someone to provide provenance for a statement they have made is "bullying"?

Some of us like facts in our discussions, rather than just hearsay, prejudice, and rants - ymmv.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

But some people won't believe anything without links. And they will use the fact that someone hasn't provided links as proof that they can't possibly be telling the truth.

I have personally been accused of making things up that are actually facts, just because I don't post links. Well if I know something because I am directly connected to it, then I don't need to come up with a link. You can either believe me, or not.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

There is a balance with links to be honest.

I have been accused of making things up on here, when I have mentioned a discussion between a group of people outside of the realms of the internet, but if you can provide a link to back you up, all the better.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Tim if these measures only hit the frauds i would be supporting it as much as anyone but they don't. I believe currently 70% of appeals are successful clearly something is very wrong and not working as intended. Between the cost of the incompetency that is atos and the cost of the appeals procedure i would reckon any saving is probably lost.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

The system is far from perfect. And I think the main problem is contracting private companies to carry out the work. After all companies are there to make a profit, the DLA aren't. So who would be best to regulate the system?

It would be interesting to see just how atos are funded. I bet it is on the number of cases, in which case it is in their interest to stop people DLA, and then for them to have an appeal.

Maybe this is something that Watchdog should investigate.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Whatever happened to ?

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

There appears to be confusion between people doubting individuals' Subject Matter Expertise, gained through lifetime experience, and asking for verification of a claim that a major news organisation, which is seen as one of the main communicators of unbiased (as far as that is possible) news to the world, is deliberately suppressing news stories due to an anti-benefits claimant agenda. If the BBC are doing this, it needs to be publicised.

You state that if you know something because you are directly linked to it, you don't need to post a link - but many others state they "know" things, but in fact are distorting / making things up, so how are other CF'ers supposed to differentiate between those who make things up to further their agenda, and those whose positions are factually-based?

---------- Post added at 08:34 ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 ----------

The process is that ATOS Origin carry out the assessments, these are then sent to the DWP Decision Makers (ATOS have no part in the DM process, besides providing the information), and then the DMs make a decision (which can go to appeal).

ATOS Origin are not involved after the assessment, and they do not get any extra money if it goes to appeal*.

*This information is from someone who works at the Disability & Carers Service part of the DWP, specifically in Customer Service (helping claimants fill in the forms, and general advice and outreach), who works with the DMs, and also deals with complaints from claimants (and has done so for the last 30 years).

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Now this is where I do have a problem, what you state is true, but seems only part of the truth.

ATOS do only assess, but you fail to mention they also give their 'opinion' of the person they are assessing, and they also seem to supply certain information as they see fit, that or omit certain information. So to give off as fact that ATOS doesn't have anything to do with a decision is totally wrong. But this is just my opinion of course. :)

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

20 years and NO respite ever available here, even for one evening. Respite is a myth as far as I, and probably most Carers, know.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Yes this rings very true in our family and many others.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

Well ask then, because you are entitled to it.

---------- Post added at 11:22 ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 ----------

I'm not even going to discuss it with you, because your name fits, and you just argue for the sake of it.

Re: For those of us unfit to work
 

My brother and other members of our wider family has asked many times Tim and each time they have been refused.