ATOSsers

[annakey]

Goin back on benefits is a right barrel of laughs. It's been less than two years since I last claimed and the rigmarole is worse than ever.

I now have to send in regular medical certificates apparently, which I've never had to do before. I could understand if it was just the cancer but I've got a bonafide, cast iron disability here that I've never

Comments

[prophetsong]

That is completely fvcking ridiculous but not remotely surprising. Do they not think that given you have a) a lifelong physical disability, b) a small child to care for and c) fvcking cancer that your energy might be better served elsewhere than dealing with this ridiculous nonsense when your health needs could be quite easily verified by a letter from your medical professionals and quick direct assessment interview?! It makes me incandescent with rage - I think the whole concept of hoards of people scamming the system to live off disability benefits is ridiculously exagerated anyway but frankly as a tax payer I'd rather risk that a few people might be claiming stuff they're not fully entitled too than imagine that people who need the help are having to go through this kind of crap. In my previous job I worked with people with severe learning disabilities (i.e. they're just as likely to wake up one day with with a functioning IQ within average range as the man with no eyes is to wake up seeing) and apparently many of them are now

[annakey]

You're right, it's bonkers. Any money they're saving by scaring people off must be swallowed up by the masses of extra admin costs all this must take. I like your ranting. Always let rip x

[liz_lowlife]

Welcome to my world that kicked me off ESA and put me on JSA and then kicked me off that because I deigned to find a job- one that pays less than £200pm be noted!
The whole ATOS question-laissez-faire is designed to make you look well even if you area gorram slug sprinkled with salt!
The whole thing is a farce, an abomination and the biggest erosion of human rights this Century. X

[annakey]

If I have to go and they tell me I'm fit for work, there will be hell to pay! (Feigning bravado now because more likely I'll just cry and whine about it on the internet instead.)

It didn't used to be like this. Maybe I had it easier because I have physical disabilities you can't really argue with but I never felt scrutinised or under suspicion in the past. Welfare Reform - 'reform' is supposed to mean making something better! It's all gone to shit.

[jabbawokki]

whaaaaatttt?! that's mad!!

[absinthecity]

. The country's GPs must be overrun with people needing confirmation that their lifelong conditions haven't changed since last month

this is just one good reason why it seems the ridiculous system doesn't work. There is absolutely no way that this won't simply pile extra work on GPs. I sincerely hope that they find a feasible work-around very quickly.

[biascut]

I've talked to a student today who's been made redundant from his full-time job and has been told by the job centre that he's got to give up his part-time degree if he wants to claim jobseekers (not actually true.) It's not good enough that normal unemployment benefits are set up to be ultra-suspicious and designed to try and catch you out, but it's spectacularly awful that they're managing disability benefits the same way. AAAARGH.