25 signatures reached
To: All MP's
Change the way benefit assessments are carried out to aid treatment of disabled
I really believe that we; the disabled need to start a petition with the purpose of drawing attention to the terrible way we are treated by the government and the claiming of benefits. Changes need to be made to help us live our lives with some semblance of independence/as normally as possible with regards to our disabilities and the help we need. We do not want to be this way but have to live with the way we are which can be extremely difficult without the trauma of trying to claim benefits; which is demoralising, embarrassing and very stressful, without the effort of trying to cope with our disabilities!
I want to start a petition so that the disabled/carers/family/friends can get together to try to instigate a change in government/benefits so that we are treated at least like a member of the human race, with some rights and to be accepted as people who can offer something back to society even with our problems.
The government are always saying that there are too many claimants and not enough money. I wonder if the system was run fairly; no extra money would be needed for the assessments/mandatory consideration or tribunals. Also if people with long term disabilities were awarded benefits for a longer term this too would save a lot of money. There is often medical proof of disabilities that dates back many years; so this should be also considered as proof of problems, not just recent diagnosis/treatments.
Whilst waiting for the petition to have enough support to change the system of assessments and stress to the claimant I wonder why not have all assessments and courts audio tape the proceedings as I`m sure this would stop a number of disabled being treated so badly. A copy could be retained by both the claimant and the agency involved.
I want to start a petition so that the disabled/carers/family/friends can get together to try to instigate a change in government/benefits so that we are treated at least like a member of the human race, with some rights and to be accepted as people who can offer something back to society even with our problems.
The government are always saying that there are too many claimants and not enough money. I wonder if the system was run fairly; no extra money would be needed for the assessments/mandatory consideration or tribunals. Also if people with long term disabilities were awarded benefits for a longer term this too would save a lot of money. There is often medical proof of disabilities that dates back many years; so this should be also considered as proof of problems, not just recent diagnosis/treatments.
Whilst waiting for the petition to have enough support to change the system of assessments and stress to the claimant I wonder why not have all assessments and courts audio tape the proceedings as I`m sure this would stop a number of disabled being treated so badly. A copy could be retained by both the claimant and the agency involved.
Why is this important?
I have had disabilities for 35 years plus. I only began to claim PIP in 2013/14. I was very fortunate to have someone fill in forms and when I went for my assessment the officer was very understanding and kind. At this claim I was awarded enhanced care and mobility. This allowed me to keep some of my independence.
July 2017 I received forms to assess how I was and if anything had changed. I filled these in myself as it was only a few pages of ticking boxes. My reply was I have degenerative disabilities which have understandably gotten worse. My awards were taken from me; I now receive standard care with not enough points for mobility. I was devastated. I went through all the reconsiderations and eventually I went to a tribunal. The panel I had were biased, and neither kind nor understanding at all. The whole situation was very traumatising and I really felt like a criminal, not someone who was after a higher benefit to try to maintain a little independence. My daughter went with me and was not allowed to help in any way even though we were advised by online lawyers that we could make notes to take with us and my daughter was allowed to find and pass me the corresponding notes especially as I have memory issues. She spent most of the tribunal in tears; the judge recommended that she seek counselling although she later confided in me that it was the way I was treated at the tribunal that upset her. She has stated that she would be unable to support me again if it came to another tribunal as it would be too much to cope with if we had the same reception. They refused my appeal and I now have to cope with standard care PIP; as well as I am housebound now I do not have a car.
For many years I have had osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, TMJ, osteopenia, scheuermanns disease, polyalgia, severe depression and a number of other `problems` I can`t go into details with as I would run out of words! I no longer attend most of my help groups (some of which I was able to help others with their problems by listening/advising them how to proceed with stated problems). I do not have any independence as I have to rely on others to take me places; I cannot get to the shops at the top of my street as they are too far to walk so if I run out of anything I have to phone family/friends to pick up the items I need. My biggest loss is not being able to go to church or my study group to share my faith with my brothers and sisters; although recently some or my friends have been able to take me to church.
The way I was treated throughout the experience of my second claim is not the way anyone should be treated and with my connections through some of the groups I used to go to I am aware that I am far from the only person to suffer under the actions of trying to claim help due to my disabilities.
I am sickened by the way people with problems and disabilities are treated by the governments ruling regarding benefits and any extra help we ask for/need. Some of my friends from the groups I attended are even too afraid to attempt to try to claim as they have witnessed the way others have been treated during the process of claiming. Surely this more than anything shows how wrong the system of claiming PIP or other related benefits is?
July 2017 I received forms to assess how I was and if anything had changed. I filled these in myself as it was only a few pages of ticking boxes. My reply was I have degenerative disabilities which have understandably gotten worse. My awards were taken from me; I now receive standard care with not enough points for mobility. I was devastated. I went through all the reconsiderations and eventually I went to a tribunal. The panel I had were biased, and neither kind nor understanding at all. The whole situation was very traumatising and I really felt like a criminal, not someone who was after a higher benefit to try to maintain a little independence. My daughter went with me and was not allowed to help in any way even though we were advised by online lawyers that we could make notes to take with us and my daughter was allowed to find and pass me the corresponding notes especially as I have memory issues. She spent most of the tribunal in tears; the judge recommended that she seek counselling although she later confided in me that it was the way I was treated at the tribunal that upset her. She has stated that she would be unable to support me again if it came to another tribunal as it would be too much to cope with if we had the same reception. They refused my appeal and I now have to cope with standard care PIP; as well as I am housebound now I do not have a car.
For many years I have had osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, TMJ, osteopenia, scheuermanns disease, polyalgia, severe depression and a number of other `problems` I can`t go into details with as I would run out of words! I no longer attend most of my help groups (some of which I was able to help others with their problems by listening/advising them how to proceed with stated problems). I do not have any independence as I have to rely on others to take me places; I cannot get to the shops at the top of my street as they are too far to walk so if I run out of anything I have to phone family/friends to pick up the items I need. My biggest loss is not being able to go to church or my study group to share my faith with my brothers and sisters; although recently some or my friends have been able to take me to church.
The way I was treated throughout the experience of my second claim is not the way anyone should be treated and with my connections through some of the groups I used to go to I am aware that I am far from the only person to suffer under the actions of trying to claim help due to my disabilities.
I am sickened by the way people with problems and disabilities are treated by the governments ruling regarding benefits and any extra help we ask for/need. Some of my friends from the groups I attended are even too afraid to attempt to try to claim as they have witnessed the way others have been treated during the process of claiming. Surely this more than anything shows how wrong the system of claiming PIP or other related benefits is?
