Good News?

[Nick]

Just reading the news regarding the ESA assessments. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-37526324

Having read this I also read an article about possible changes to the appeals process.

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/3553-virtual-abolition-of-pip-dla-and-esa-appeal-tribunals-as-we-know-them

 

 

So what do you all think?

[Stumbler]

It's about time that logic and common sense were applied.

 

Now, let's see something similar applied to the DLA/ PIP reassessments! We can but hope.

 

[ptlike]

I agree totally and was dreading it. Let's just hope Brexit doesn't bankrupt the country and more cost cutting plans reapear

[Nick]

The good news is less assessment, the bad news is a more restrictive appeals system. My original ESA assessment was 'correct' and while this was good, I then discovered that my ESA payment amounted to £0 under the rules of having income from ill health pension. I stayed that way until I was given notice of the requirement for a new assessment, a seemingly crazy ask under the circumstances! Filled in all the paperwork and then got a phone call telling me I had been removed from the need of assessment and removed from ESA, but was still eligible for help under the 'support group'

The biggest fault with the system was the lack of information passing between the medical profession and the DWP. Something they have now admitted.

They also need to be much more aware of the difficult issues people face, rather than just treating it all as a paper exercise.

The reduction in the ability of people to be able to have their point of view and detailed access to their medical condition discussed at appeal is the less welcome news.

The complicated way in which the forms are used also needs to be more transparent.

 

In any event it seems on balance to be better news