I've just read a piece in today's Herald entitled "Back to work benefits row - support staff 'inundated' with mental health benefit appeals".
Their 'case study' is a 59 year old woman who had worked full time for 40 years before suffering clinical depression five years ago and having to claim IB.
She was summoned to a WCA which found her 'fit to work'. She appealed with help from CAB and was summoned to another WCA which again found her 'fit to work' and again she appealed. In the meantime she was put on ESA.
When she went to tribunal, the judge found in her favour, despite the fact that the DWP had asked for
her GP's views not to be considered, on the grounds that she might have pressured her GP!
The DWP appears to be ignoring the views of the healthcare professionals who actually know the claimant (GP, psychiatrist, CPN etc) and just make a decision from what the ATOS assessor, who obviously doesn't know the claimant, says. The ATOS assessor may not see any evidence from the claimant's own healthcare professionals to help in making their assessment.
The Herald article states that 45% of claimants who start an appeal give up before the process is complete, perhaps because of lack of support.
Citizens Advice Scotland and the mental health charity SAMH are both concerned abut the way claims are handled, and believe that any assessment must include evidence from GPs and community mental health teams.
Seems like common sense, but will the DWP pay any attention?
The full article can be read
HERE.
