Annie, please could you post the link again I can’t see it. Thanks for all that info. And good luck for anyone else caught up in this.
Sarahlouise, I’m appalled at the way you have been treated. I am horrified that DWP can say that DS1500 is inappropriate for someone who has been diagnosed stage 4 lung mets.
I honestly believe it’s time that cancer patients got together and stood outside the Houses of Parliament to let everyone know what is going on.
Hi there Lemongrove (I LOVE LEMONS - have them on everything)
You are too right. The disabled - we are only a small part of the disabled community, are being spat on and ignored, Or being patronsised, because we have a wee “pink” disease. Oh SO very BARBIE. Yes BCC - another pop at you for your uselessness in the face of very real dispair.
There are some sites you might want to visit to register your anguish and disgust. PM me to discuss further.
BCC - try to do something useful.
Annie
Hello ladies…
Ive been receiving contribtion based ESA for 4 weeks, apparantly you receive it for 13 weeks before being assessed for higher level.Im on the lowest £65 a week.
I have also received the LIMITED CAPABILTY FOR WORK quesionare, how awful is this form,
My question is can you, or has anyone been called in for interview when receiving contribution based ESA?
thankyou all
Take care
Donna
x
Ps… its really started to worry me this form and from what ive read the interviews… i want to get back to work asap but i dont want to be forced into it… ive had chemo, mx, and just started rads…
Hello Donna,
I should contact MacMillan about specific advice as it is an absolute minefield.
I do hope you do not have to undergoing the nightmare that is the WCA/DWP/ATOS thing. Incidentally, the Lib confernece has passed a motion to ameriorate some of the criteria.
Incidentally, BCC contacted me to discuss my issues with them. I have responded but have had no response to my reply.
Remember that girls, when you are asked to put your hands in your pocket to support BCC. Or attend one of their catwalk shows.
I welcome you comments BCC, while so many of those you represent are in dispair.
Annie xx
Hi does anyone know how long u can stay on ESA I thought it depends on contributions but it don’t as anyone been on it long term as I’ve got stage 4 lung mets and am unsure if I can return to work many thanks
Weeks later, still no money and have officially given up. I didn’t like having money in my purse.
Message from Kiran in our Policy and Campaigns Team:
Breast Cancer Care, as members of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), is lobbying to ensure that changes to the benefit system will not impact negatively on cancer patients. We are looking to speak to people willing to share their experiences in possible future media work around the changes to ESA in our campaigning efforts. If you would like more information please click here: breastcancercare.org.uk/news/blog/do-you-claim-contributory-employment-support-allowance)
But there are also other opportunities to make your voice heard about this issue. There is a day of action planned for October 22nd across the country to try and stop the cuts to benefit payments that are affecting you. For more information about this please click here: breastcancercare.org.uk/news/blog/campaign-against-cuts-benefit-payments
Best wishes,
Kiran
Well done Kiran!
This is what are are asking for!
The real issue, after we have gone through the trauma of treatment - 21 months in my case - is how are we going to live?
I know, personally of one woman who took her own life.
I know of another who has tried 3 times, and who is halted only by the impact this will have on her amimals.
With this govermement wanting to limit ESA to 12 months - from the time of issue - who would not fear the future if they were too unwell to work, but was not thougt to die in the next 6 months.
No one in the world can believe this is happening in BRITAIN!!!
And “work behind the scenes” to eek out a few crumbs is - well - pitiful.
But at least you are activly and publically addressing this mot serious of issues. What will happen to the survivors?
ANnie
I attended the ATOS day of protest yesterday. COuld only say for about 10 mins, as I cannot stand long.
But eveyone going in throught their creepy doors (that I saw), was middle aged, clearly unwell. It broke my heart.
The security staff were rubbernecking (G on minimal wage - another poverty pimp company) The police outnumbered the perfectly behaved, polite protesters.
I swear to God, the world has gone mad.
Annie
That’s disgusting, obviously the vulnerable are easy pickings, totally turns your stomach xx
Well the first taget for the Nazi’s were the disabled. Ill organised, a bit of an embarresment, no forum to speak for them. They were gassed in trucks, as the prototype for the millions put to death in the camps.
My! How things have changed!!!
We seem to be such a drain on the ecomomy - on HARD WORKING PEOPLE - that we cannot be afforded.
EXCUSE ME - I worked BLOODY hard till I was given a 50/50 chance of survivivng the year!
I am still saddened by the folk who have to stir to become apathetic. And then moan, moan, moan about the “system” …
Annie xx
Newsflash - to all who don’t know this already …
Presently, your current status on ESA is honoured pending appeal - if you think there have been errors in your report. The DWP is considering withdrawing this. The cost of the appeal system is £50m per annum, and, as you know, the overturn rate is 40% if self appealling, and 70% if being conducted by an advisor.
So the DWP wants to rectify this situation - by punishing te appelants!!! - not the botched “WORK CAPABILITY ASSESSMENTS” carried out by underqualified nurses, physios, doctors paid by an outsoursing company based in France (where they do not practice) on a software system kicked out of the US for being “unlawful”.
Incidentally, the company UMUM - Google it - is now advertising on TV.
You could not make it up!!
I am surprised that there are so few posts. Not that I think i am beng censored by BCC.
I have had no pm or public posts. I question what their role is in the midst of this continuing and increasing scandel. Many of us do. BCC, enjoy your wee jollies at £90 a head while those who you claim to support are being ground to the ground.
Annie
Hi everyone just want to add a comment about ESA. I work for DWP and was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. You are awarded ESA for 13 weeks, you then go into a support group which then gives you an increase in money. This part of the benefit can them be claimed for 12 months and you can return to work part time, that is less than 15 hours and no more than £95 per week. So you can work p/t and still claim ESA. I was not called for an interview and various people I have spoken to were not called either. I submitted my GP details and sick notes for the first 13 weeks. I think that your GP holds the cards when it comes to the decision that DWP make as thats where they get any medical information they need. It is a pain of a process to go through and I have spent the last 10 months off work fighting for DLA and WTC with disability element and claiming ESA was the easiest part of the whole process. And just to add I was not given preferential treatment because I am an employee I still had to go through the same process as everyone else. Just keep fighting for what you are entitled to.
Fought, lost and have nothing. They don’t always pay out.
Reappeal, and make sure this time you have professional support from macMillan or your local Maggie’s Centre. Contact your GP and appraise him/her of what you have gone through. Contact your consultant’s PA and do similar. Aquaint yourself with all the information. There are lots of sites who have links as the groundswell (not Charity led, incidentally …) is gaining momentum.
Try Black Triangle as a starting point. Or After Atos. Again, read the HANDBOOK. It amuses me to see how this hot potato is being thrown aroung. ATOS blames the DWP … “we are only following their orders” AND THEY ARE RIGHT.
We all know, who have been through the humiliation of a WCA (more painful than the double scope I went through this week), that these HCP (who should be nursing, or being physios or fulfilling the role for which they were trained (probably at Taxpayers expense, and given a grant on which to live. I did, and most grads over 45 did too … just a thought)that the nurse just looks a a screen, ticks a box, “observes” your appearance: your build, you grooming (ill kempt/well kempt) your clothing, whether you are carrying a bag. A we are required to bring our meds, we need to carry a bag, your footwear … Not so much clinical as gossip/observation.
ATOS are proud to ay that nurses/physios get a whole 17 DAYS training!!! Real quality there man!! Crash course.
They have complained to Prof Marrington that they find it hard to retain new recruits. No s++t Sherlock! You can find the letter on site. All of this is available through the Freedom of Information Act.
So, deep breath, give yourself a couple of hours, have your phone at the ready. DO the searches I have suggested, get an advocate of some desciption to act for you. Contact your MP - they are getting more and more feedback about WCA and ATOS. Call the helplines you will come across. If you want PM me.
Incidentally, keep your eyes peeled for an ad - broadcast duing Downton Abbey last week - for a “BACK UP PLAN” by a mob called UMUM. They have close links with ATOS (shared Directors …) upon whose softwear LiMA is reputed to have been based. UMUM was classed as illegal in some states in the US for failing to honour policies. How Very John Grisham!!! Again Google it UMUM+bad faith.
You could not make it up … I feel a novel cooking.
Good luck to you all - again, PM me if I can be of assistance.
BCC, where are you, and why are you not doing this???
Annie
I could until I was blue in the face. I’ve not paid in, they won’t pay out. Simple.
You will have to seek professional advice. The system is so complicated. In my case, I worked until the day of my dx, so it was pretty simply. I was put on ESA - at £60.50 a week. I almost passed out!!! i paid more than that in income tax.
Incidentally, I will be checking out the post by the the DWP worker, about being placed in the Support Group after 13 weeks. I have been told that this is nonsence by a welfare advice worker, but will not post anything until is is copper bottomed, double checked, totally reliable advice.
GET THE ASSISTANCE OF MACMILLAN AT THE VERY LEAST. They have made a wee stand against some of the attacks on cancer patients.
All the best.
Annie
I’m a secondaries woman. Have been on Incapacity Benefit for years (not cancer related) and since bone mets last year also on DLA. Recently been contacted to have assessment to ‘migrate’ from IB to ESA.
All very confusing BUT advised that as terminally ill I should not have to fill in forms and should be moved straight into support group. Following that advice I have written to DWP enclo9sing copy of my DS1500. Haven’t had a response yet - will lrt you konow how I get on.
Cloudhowe glad you’re out of hospital and hope you are feeling much better. Thanks for your work and passion surrounding the bizarre benefits!
Good luck everyone!
Julie
Just to let you know ladies …
I have had YET amother post deleted.
Thank you for your facebook entries and PM’s. I shsre you anger and frustration.
Perhaps you could contact the mods and let free exchange of views be published?? PMing thhis to many of you, as it wont’t appear appear on OUR thread.
Annie xx