PIP and Disability Benefits - The Last Leg
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 лют 2018
- In the wake of the government U-turn on it's policy of limiting disability benefits to those suffering from psychological distress, Alex and special guest Stephen Fry dissect the government's crude approach to the issue.
Subscribe to The Last Leg: bit.ly/1ck6MKa
Watch The Last Leg on Channel 4, Fridays at 10pm, or CATCH UP on All 4: www.channel4.com/programmes/th...
Be Social With The Show:
Follow The Last Leg: / thelastleg
Like The Last Leg: / thelastleg - Комедії
I've been denied PIP for my epilepsy. 14 weeks in limbo then finally got a letter telling me I'm not disabled enough. 30 years of seizures, a terrible burn to my arm and side and now this.
Is this another example of the hostile environment but toward the disabled?
In Ireland you have to apply for disability benefits at least 3 times because they want to put as many people off as possible
Assessors spend no more than about 20 minutes with you. They don't talk about disability; they talk about what you CAN do instead of what you CAN'T do. They are out to fail you, whether you're genuine or not. Honesty is punished and achievements count against you. All they care about is saving money and bugger the consequences to the disabled. I suffer from high-functioning autism, epilepsy and a heart murmur. My request for mandatory reconsideration was unsuccessful and I'm going to a tribunal, as I'm not getting any money.
Unfortunately services like the Citizens Advice Bureau have been cut. A lot of the staff at the Walsall branch are volunteers and they are absolutely snowed under. Consequently they can't spare anyone to accompany me to my tribunal. But I am prepared to fight. I don't see why I should have to prove that I'm disabled.
I blame the Tories and anyone who voted for them for this situation.
What I found out when helping my disabled partner fight their appeal for ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), was that the government set a minimum of 70% claim denial through assesments. They actually told the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) that 70% of initial claims had to be rejected. They then go to appeal, and thanks to the amazing people at Citizens Advice we subsequently won, but also found out two shocking facts: 1) of thos 70% rejected claims, 85% are successfully appealled. The remaineder are usually someone not being able to go about appealing, in some cases because they have actually died due to losing their benefit, and 2) That most of the time, the DWP doesn't bother to even send a representative to the appeal to present counter evidence.
All this adds up to costing the government even more money than just letting everone who claims get their money, even if say 5% are false, as the government are the ones paying for the appeal, and the appeals court and staff themselves. The Tories are experts of wasting money, despite claiming the exact opposite.
I've had a mixture of mental health problems over 25 years, actually broke down crying in the pip assessment whilst talking about my suicidal thoughts. Got knocked back by them and was informed I made good eye contact and had clean fingernails!! It's really offensive, and will lead to many suicides and homelessness for people with mental health problems. England 2018. Unbelievable. Last time I was interviewed by a physiotherapist!
Remember the "health professionals" that review you are people who couldn't hack it in their chosen profession.
Wow, this is absolutely disgusting! You’re sitting there telling them your suicidal and all they care about is eye contact and how fckd up clean fingernails, what does that have to do with your situation of mental health. The system is so fucked up.
I had exactly the same thing.
Was this resolved?
I have a friend who accompanied someone with significant mental health problems, as support, who told me the PIP assessment was carried out by a dentist! I'm sure most dentists are great people, but are they REALLY qualified to carry out a mental assessment for PIP? I'm pretty sure the answer is a definitive "NO!".
unfortunately, the assessors work for the government, and that says a lot more about their lack of expertise than them being dentists and beauty technicians.
Its right what they said about being made to feel 3rd class and having to apologise and prove yourself to people. Its humiliating having to go into such personal struggles with a stone faced stranger who will basically decide your future
As a disabled person I totally agree with this video I absolutely hate being a british citizen as I get so sick,tired and exhausted from talking about my disability to people I felt like a outcast as a child at primary school due to my disability
I was shaking at my appointment, because I was told if I didn't go, I would lose my benefits. The reason I was shaking is because I had to travel 7-8 miles unaccompanied, this caused me severe anxiety and distress, and the "healthcare professional" turned round and asked if I was cold... the reason I lost my benefit was labeled as "ability to travel unaccompanied" nothing was noted about me shaking or the fistful of medications I was taking to prevent this sort of stuff. I suffer from ptsd and agoraphobia if anyone is wondering.
The remarks made were sensible and well said. I have heard of someone who has lost benefits due to being assessed by someone unqualified to assess their metal state. They have lost benefits they need and have been severely financially compromised, meaning they have lost a fair degree of the independence they need. People with disabilities need to be assessed by specialists who actually understand their condition and not by an administrator who is looking to tick boxes on a form.
I’m yet to go to my PIP assessment, but have heard they turn down the most physical disabled people, let alone people who suffer with mental illnesses. I have Aspergers and managed to get DLA but now I’m sixteen I have a feeling I’m going to be turned away. Everything is just in shambles.
Reading through these comments it is saddening to hear that some many are going through the same issues but it is lovely to see the support given to others in this thread. Stay strong and remember to use your voice and your votes when you can.
Ref to the votes missbadhairgirl they just did ~Brexit
Why dont we pay GP's to do the assessment? Could you imagine how many claims would go through?! Because it's not about your disability, it's about saving money.
I have severe depression and I did a test for the DWP and they stopped my ESA Benifits what I find strange is I scored zero on the test dispite having severe depression they don't take that into account at all it was a doctor who suggested I apply for ESA Benifits in the first place. The sudden cut in my Benifits then put me into debt I only had two days before my next Benifit payment to find out I would get a one off payment of £90 then have to reaply for JSA it through me into a financial nose dive. It's one thing putting me back on JSA it's another cutting me off and leaving me destitute for a time. I aired my concerns to the person doing the test and they just ignored me Fry is right the people making the decisions are not qualified to judge if a persons mental health issue is a problem or not.
In ireland what pisses me off is that people with epilepsy, like me, who can't drive/are afraid to drive again don't automatically qualify for the free travel card, preferably with a companion pass just in case. It would be easy to prove too - records from your neurologist stating that you have epilepsy and can't drive. Don't get me started on the difficulty of applying for disability benefits. You want proof? Here's me having a seizure and having temporary paralysis after. Here are all the tablets I take. Here's my emergency medicine. Here we see scars from where I seized on concrete. Here's my first and only car that is literally growing weeds in it because I haven't been able to drive it in years. I think I qualify.
This follows the US policy. Which amounts to, harshly put, if you need help you are not worthy.
Well said! 100%! correct how they treat us people with mental and physical disabilities!
i have a mental illneess and i went through hell. i dont want millions of pounds-i just want the minimum to survive. it doesnt even have to be money- it can be tokens or vouchers
I got F-ed over in DLA. I got about £20 a week. When PIP came along, I got around £80 a week. My latest PIP humiliation lasted over a year. Despite adding deteriorating physical problems to the mix, they managed to change things, so I got less care component, but added mobility, which meant I got about £78. However, that meant that my working partner, is getting less in working tax credits. We have lost a lot of money.
It's an awful process, that makes me feel sick to think about. It's not even remotely funny.
Not just mental health my brothers got lupus which causes loads of problems including arthritis he struggles to walk tbh and they have stopped his pip
Mum is currently having the same issue. In may last year, she applied for PIP as she had broken her neck and needed help getting around to physio and with care. The assessor blatantly lied (said her mobility was fine when she has x-rays proving it's not) and she got turned down. We're still waiting on the appeal tribunal date even though every doctor, citizens advice and charity agree she should have gotten it.
Make sure that you fight for backpay, so that your Mum gets back some of what she's lost. I hope that you get your tribunal date soon. A word of advice though - the tribunal doesn't check whether they made the right decision, it checks whether they followed the rules. Get a copy of the rules and ensure that your argument solidly fits them on things like distance she's able to walk, etc. I have a friend who was turned down for ESA because he experienced something (I won't say what as it's personal) 'on average, once every 4 weeks', when the rules said it had to be at least once a month. Common sense would say that he was following the rules, but because some months he didn't have this problem (& then other months had it twice), he was deemed as not fulfilling the criteria. They really are that picky.
Just wanted to give you a heads-up as people who are genuinely in need shouldn't be being turned away on technicalities. Good luck :)
Georgina Adkins Ty! Finally got a date and it's the distance she can comfortably work causing the issues I think. The assessor asked and she said to the next door (about 15 steps) and the assessor estimated 200meters.
I genuinely wonder how these people sleep at night when they write lies like that and deny people the help they need. Really glad that you got a date through, that's brilliant news! Hope that everything goes well. Dot the 'I's and cross the 'T's - don't let them squirm their way out of this. Best of luck :)
Rebecca Armstrong are you talking about the assessment? She had that last April, the assessor came to our home and this is the independent tribunal tomorrow that we waited almost a year for. Also, if I remember correctly, when we asked, we were told you have to supply the recording equipment and they have to approve it which is v awkward as phones etc will not count. Thank you for the advice though.
I have A.D.H.D which is on the Autism spectrum so when i'm in a social situation i'm either overly honest or I stick to people i am more comfortable around. As for the technical terms they use I dont understand. My mind sees patterns differently. If someone wants me to stop talking I can't always read that sign. So I get wound up, angry and upset. They need to make it more clear for everyone who has to go to these things
Danny Martin while adhd is often co-morbid with autism it is separate from it and therefore not on the autistic spectrum
Alex !! anyone that can out talk / over talk Stephen Fry is a Man of Power. watch out for Alex in the future. MP? PM? ...
I have Aspergers Syndrome and when I went for my assessment a month ago they got this ditsy little 28 year old moron who was not medically trained to recognise mental conditions like mine so we went in and did the assessment as usual I of course said one or two things that would have been detrimental in me passing my assessment such as me having friends and going out with them a lot and whatnot when in reality I don't get out that much and don't have that many friends so I probably shouldn't have said that anyway I went through the assessment and went home smash cut to a few weeks later and I didn't pass my assessment and one of the reasons that I didnt pass was that the assessor said I had a good memory and didn't need help but that was a flat out lie I specifically told her I have an awful memory which I do and I rely on many people for help so not only are they getting people that are not qualified to assess people with mental health disorders they are also lying through their asses to deny people who really need PIP.
First time I'm hearing that there is some relationship between Aspenger's and memory. Are you sure about that? Because I remember that some people on the far end of the spectrum actually have amazing memory (like this guy who can draw a city after having seen it a single time).
Those people are called savants they have a great memory in something they are interested in but generally people with autism don't have a good memory like if you were to tell me to do four things like take out the garbage, wash the window, find out when the bus get's into town and pick up these things from the shop I might remember one or two of those things and forget the rest I myself don't have a good memory and that assessor blatantly lied on my form and caused me to lose my pip something which I need to actually get out of the house and have some degree of freedom.
Ungoogleable o_O
First time? So because you hear something for the first time, you automatically disbelieve it? How have you learned anything at all?
I had to explain to the person that came to my house to do my assessment that Asperger's Syndrome is on the Autistic spectrum....I would say more but I think that sums it up pretty well
The whole assessment thing is a joke as the assessors lie through their teeth and then when you listen to DWP guidelines of not paying for evidence that they'll get it they never get the evidence needed so it results in you having to pay for the evidence anyway I currently have PTSD , two personality disorders, severe anxiety and depression and got declined so gotta go through the whole reconsideration/ appeal process because it affects my daily life if they can't see the disability it gets ignored as they discriminate against invisible disability especially with the new pip system
Well fucking said Alex!
I read all these stories and my heart breaks and so angry. Have depression and anxiety and had lots of assessments which causes stress and makes conditions even worse. It has caused humiliation and despair to so many. Mental health is not taken seriously either and it's a lonely feeling. This government should hang their heads in shame.
Well said that young man.
It also doesn't help when the person who may do your assessment (I've had 2 applications and one of them they went lazy and did a telephone based 5 questions) tye one where I did see someone I went from being given not quite enough points to qualify, to ZERO points despite additional medical info confirming mental health problems. The DWP have been tasked by the government to reject more PIP claimants so they don't have to pay out as much so it's a flip of the coin whether you'll have someone actually read your form and supporting medical info or just mark it rejected and cracked on with the next one.
The system for referral with regards to disability benefits is clumsy, unintuitive, and, most important, a waste of money. The company that does it was a private firm, which doesn't keep in touch with medical professionals, who are more than happy to divulge whatever information is needed to help their patients, they frequently break communication and lose information, meaning you have to repeatedly attend to prove a permanent ailment is still permanent (my sister still has to produce documents from our GP that says that the condition that she was born with, and will have til the day she dies, is still there), and they're too motivated by accept/reject targets. When the Conservatives took office in 2010, they told us it was the bureaucracy that was costing the government money, and they pledged to cut it out. Instead, they didn't remove the bureaucracy, they removed the efficiency. And what's worse is that when the company makes a mistake in a decision, which they sometimes do, and someone appeals it in court, and wins, it's not the company that made the mistake that awards the compensation and pays legal fees, it's the government. There's virtually no incentive for this company to get it right, because even if they fail, they don't lose the contract, no one gets dismissed, and they don't pay for the expenses they incur.
Tell me again how this was supposed to be a "better functioning system" to "save money", because everything we've seen has been entirely to the contrary.
And still nothing has changed the system sucks, no wonder so many people have killed themselves 😡🤬😡🤬😡
I'm now reapplying for JSA because I've ended up losing another job to my mental health and I'm likely to get sanctioned. Trying to get ESA is too difficult for me right now because I can't get ESA with the same condition I've had before or I have to prove that it has got worse since the last assessment.
I have severe social anxiety so asking for help from CAB or anything like that is really difficult.
I wish we got full episodes in the USA. I love this show much!!
Lan Stovall just go to the panel show subreddit on reddit. They upload the videos
Are you able to get onto the Channel 4 website in the USA? If so, all of the full episodes are on there :)
In my experience they especially discriminate against those with autism, they don't quite grasp the concept of how it is a spectrum disorder and how it's different for everyone, so they just write you off and tell you you don't have it because you don't fit the stereotype.
My son has just been refused and he has autism. I am on my own dealing with my son and if the mandatory consideration does not work then he is not going to be able to continue with his A levels, because there will not be enough money to continue running my car, which is how he gets to college.
@@banana9106 Oh wow I'm so sorry you're both dealing with this, its not right what they put us through. Fingers crossed they make the right decision and award him it.
@@Shazmodeus Thank you. The poor sod has worked so hard against all of the obstacles that the system has put in his way. Cambridge University are already expressing interest in him and I am so worried that he is going to fall at the last hurdle because of the matter of funding for the next 2 years. We own our own home, but it is in a quiet rural location, the problem is that there is no A level provision in our community and he is unable to travel on the one bus to and from.
I love Steven Fry.
My mum, upon reassessment, was very lucky as the Nurse that did her assessment was an old school friend of mine! Which was very handy as she knew exactly what I'd gone through over the years. (Genuine coincidence btw, wasn't a set up). However, on my mums original PIP assessment (She has mental health issues, but nothing physical) we had to drag our arses through hot coals to eventually get her aware after about a sodding year, even with the backing of Docs, CPNs and Social Work. The entire system as it is is a joke imo.
It's absolutely horrible that this video and all its points still stand up 5 years later. A lot of my depression that I get stems from being made to feel like I don't fit the box for being disabled but also not the one for being able. These benefits that are supposed to help do the exact opposite as the government makes it even harder to get what is necessary to live for many people
I have suffered with and been diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic Disorder as well as Depression and Agoraphobia, yet that's me been refused my 1st Appeal, they say my day to day life is not effected, yet I had to give up my job due to the chronic physical symptoms of Anxiety/Panic etc.
I can hardly get out of bed I'm never out because of all the physical Symptoms that come with this horrible illness, the process of this is terrible and does not offer or do anything with sever mental health, you are completely kicked in the teeth and ignored, lost what else to do..
I had to go to an assessment centre miles from my home and the non medical professional couldn't pronounce any of my disability conditions or heard of it she and I was born with the most common disability in the UK. They introduce themselves has a medical in that field just to scare you. I think it is important to go with someone if you don't understand something to shy or overwhelmed that knows you and what you go through on a daily basis. This woman thought she could out smart me and yet I said why are you looking up my conditions and why can't you say the words if your an expert. Also make sure you have letters from all consultants and GPs.
Your a great guy
I’ve been assessed before and because of my mental illness he spoke down to me, he thought that I was slow, that I wouldn’t understand him if he used big words and when I was angry I said to him to ‘Fuck off I have Bipolar I’m not a toddler’
Same here with my Aspergers, just made me feel even more insecure.
That's absolutely awful.
I have narcolepsy and for 10 years I got enough points to qualify for dla then it changes to pip and now I score 0
5 years ago and they’ve only gotten much much MUCH worse.
Apart from tweeting, what is another way to write to the show about what to talk about?
The only place they actually saved money was on staff, as none of them have any medical training at all, nor any form of assessment training. So the medical assessment is made by people who have no clue what they're doing, and that's a lot cheaper.
My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given six months to live, she was denied benefits and died before the appeal date came through. There's something seriously fucked up about that.
Well said they have just taken the car away from me. On standard was on enhanced ! ,
My Dad has MS, and on the form the person actually LIED about things, like reading magazines, his proficiency at walking, the cooking aspect (microwaving “leftovers” is not preparing a meal). It took over 7 months to get an appeal, which lasted, I kid you not, less than 15 minutes, after which it was recommended that instead of a new assessment in 5-10 years, that he doesn’t get reassessed at all. MS is progressive. There are good days and bad days, but it ONLY gets worse. Thankfully, the Morons have changed the rules so top-grade people don’t need reassessment.
I'm going though he'll
ook
Since the Tory war on the poor and disabled has caused actual deaths, the ministers involved should be liable for damages or even incarceration for serious human rights abuses. If the involves retroactive legislation, this would be acceptable, as in the case of Nazi officials who thought they were merely bureaucrats following orders. Civil servants should also be open to civil damages when destroying peoples lives to meet targets. Why should the taxpayer pay for their malpractice? After all, doctors and surgeons can be sued for serious errors.
The whole criteria for mobility is wrong!
Discrimination big time... fibromyalgia sufferers awarded PIP ? We have to fight...
That’s what it’s for. Look at all gov projects. All ran over= more interest for BOE. It’s all about wasting money taxpayers money hence cuts but billionaire benefit from tax subsidies then but the company projects then benefit from it.. while taxpayer foots the bill for years
How the fuck is anyone able to make an assessment of mental health without a medical professional boggles my mind.......
Go to your Tory cons club and wreak them. Time nearly up so go in ther and show them what a tornado is
Are we all going through to the appeal stage?
Fuck No I ain't appealing I was on PIP for 2 years and it Fucked up my life making me Not work,
@@jobo2914 you can work full time and claim PIP if you qualify, so how did pip ‘fuck up your life’, tory?
The whole thing a bloody joke it’s madness that a judge at tribunal will decide if your disabled.Yet the doctor that train in medicine for quite a few years can decide Jack shit. I’m sorry but if that’s not fucked up for you I don’t know what is .I’m sorry if my language has offended anyone I’m truly sorry. I have cerebral palsy and Asperger’s and I’m going through this demoralising process at the moment. as I said I’m sorry if I’ve offended just very stressful at the moment thanks Dan.
Stephen Fry has been listening to Black Thought
Frys nose is really crooked! Has it always been that way?
He fell at school at about 7 years old and broke his nose. He tried to have it straitened years later but it was only slightly successful as the result you can see on TV now.
Only person i.like is stephen fry
We all pay for disable and also unemployment who doesnt want to work
Why the need take 200 pounds from my wages
For taxes where all that go?
Second
I really don't understand Stephen fry he's the mental health ambassador yet he thinks 'self-pitying' abuse victims to grow up.....
There's a big difference between having a mental illness where you need help and/or treatment and willing wanting that help to make you get better, and a person who stays in a place of self pity for the sake of attention when knowing that everyone goes thru hard times and doesn't use them as excuses in every area of life from relationships to friendships to wanting hand-outs and help that they aren't actually entitled to.
That was the difference that Stephen was talking about.
Not everyone is as strong as the privileged stephen fry and it wasn't his place to say any of that bs.
Uk Gamer According to you.
However, you don't know Stephen Fry so you can't say that he is strong or privileged and even if he was, that didn't make what he said bullshit.
He is an advocate for mental health issues (amongst other things), he has mental health issues himself and he was asked a question which he then answered.
He isn't some lofty celebrity who sits on his high horse, he's been thru years of abuse and he has depression and is bipolar. Personally, I want someone who knows what they are talking about as an advocate but if that pushes a button with you then you should be questioning yourself, not Stephen.
Yes calling kid victims of abuse self pitying is really a sign of empathy and shows fry has gone through difficult times.... Hasn't he also been accused of being an islamophobe.....
Uk Gamer He didn't call kid victims self pitying. He specifically said that about adults who are out of their abusive situations, and have been for a long time, that actually WILLINGLY DECIDE to stay stuck in their past rather than getting help so that they can heal.
Stephen is an Athiest but he doesn't have a phobia of religion cuz there is no such thing. You can't be scared of a belief or religion. Neither is he rascist if that's what your trying to imply, as I said he fights for equal rights for everyone.
Why are you determined to accuse him of something, or anything, to undermine him anyway? Push a button did he? Stuck in your own pity maybe? or are you just a hateful person naturally?