100 signatures reached
To: The Rt Hon Damian Green MP
Call To Perform An Urgent Review of Disability Welfare Reform Measures
To cease with immediate effect, the current Work Capability Assessment process and carry out an urgent review of its fitness for purpose in light of the high numbers of mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and overturned decisions.
To initiate an urgent and high-profile public inquiry into the reported deaths of disability- and other welfare benefits claimants following being found "fit for work" through welfare reform. To report the findings via all mainstream media routes.
To conduct an urgent review of value for public money in relation to the costs to the taxpayer, of the current process for assessing claimants of welfare benefits, in particular for disability benefits such as DLA, PIP, ESA etc.
To take immediate measures to ensure that no benefit claimant falls into a "benefit gap" when found "fit for work" by a Work Capability Assessment, to ensure all disabled people receive the financial support they need to live.
To initiate an urgent and high-profile public inquiry into the reported deaths of disability- and other welfare benefits claimants following being found "fit for work" through welfare reform. To report the findings via all mainstream media routes.
To conduct an urgent review of value for public money in relation to the costs to the taxpayer, of the current process for assessing claimants of welfare benefits, in particular for disability benefits such as DLA, PIP, ESA etc.
To take immediate measures to ensure that no benefit claimant falls into a "benefit gap" when found "fit for work" by a Work Capability Assessment, to ensure all disabled people receive the financial support they need to live.
Why is this important?
I am the wife and carer for a gentleman with complex, permanent and debilitating physical disabilities and life-long mental health problems. Just before Christmas 2012, my husband was stripped of his Disability Living Allowance (DLA) following a Work Capability Assessment. He had received this vital benefit since suffering two unfortunate industrial accidents, which meant he could no longer continue to work. His DLA enabled him to access a Motability car, which he lost through the process. This meant he could no longer maintain the same independence in life.
Now, this summer, another Work Capability Assessment this time for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), the DWP has found my husband to be "fit for work". However, he's not elligible for Job Seeker's Allowance - because the Jobcentre acknowledge he's too sick and disabled to work - so he has fallen into a welfare gap. He now has almost no income and is entirely dependent on me (I work full time as well as care for him), for all his care needs, his mobility and his home. This makes him feel about an inch tall. We now have the prospect of a stressful appeal process through an Employment Tribunal.
From speaking with many other people in the same position as us, we realise that there is a serious problem with the Disability Welfare Reform process, that many able-bodied people in society are not aware of. There are a lot of very vulnerable people in our country who are suffering terribly - not only because of their disabilities but also from extreme financial hardship - from The Austerity Choice that our government has made. There are people dying because they have suffered shock, trauma, lost income and people actually can't survive without the care they once received. My husband is lucky - I earn a wage. Many people are alone, alone and uncared for.
I think this is an issue that needs to be heard - in 21st Century Britain, the systematic disadvantage of the most vulnerable in our society shouldn't be ignored. Everyone has a valuable contribution to make to society, not just those who pay tax. I'd be nothing without my husband by my side. Surely we all have a piece of our heart we can find to care for people who are less fortunate than ourselves?
Now, this summer, another Work Capability Assessment this time for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), the DWP has found my husband to be "fit for work". However, he's not elligible for Job Seeker's Allowance - because the Jobcentre acknowledge he's too sick and disabled to work - so he has fallen into a welfare gap. He now has almost no income and is entirely dependent on me (I work full time as well as care for him), for all his care needs, his mobility and his home. This makes him feel about an inch tall. We now have the prospect of a stressful appeal process through an Employment Tribunal.
From speaking with many other people in the same position as us, we realise that there is a serious problem with the Disability Welfare Reform process, that many able-bodied people in society are not aware of. There are a lot of very vulnerable people in our country who are suffering terribly - not only because of their disabilities but also from extreme financial hardship - from The Austerity Choice that our government has made. There are people dying because they have suffered shock, trauma, lost income and people actually can't survive without the care they once received. My husband is lucky - I earn a wage. Many people are alone, alone and uncared for.
I think this is an issue that needs to be heard - in 21st Century Britain, the systematic disadvantage of the most vulnerable in our society shouldn't be ignored. Everyone has a valuable contribution to make to society, not just those who pay tax. I'd be nothing without my husband by my side. Surely we all have a piece of our heart we can find to care for people who are less fortunate than ourselves?
