From 30th March, the sick will suffer more...
Today this was announced regarding changes to ESA: " CHANGES TO EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT ALLOWANCE AFTER 30TH MARCH 2015 From 30th March 2015 there will be changes to repeat claims for Employment Support Allowance if your refused Employment Support Allowance after being assessed for capability for work. Currently you can claim for Employment Support Allowance after 6 months even if your condition hasn’t changed or you haven’t got a new illness from the date of the refusal or you can claim before if your health conditions has got worse or you have an new illness that prevents you from working. From 30th March 2015 you will not be able to apply after 6 months as this regulation will no longer apply, you can only claim if your illness got considerably worse or you have a new illness that prevents you from working. It is very important that you get the correct help from an organisation that specialises in completing Employment Support Allowance “Work Capability Medical Questionnaire” and you ensure that your GP puts all the correct information on your fittness to work certificate (sick note) because the lack of information can make all the difference to your claim. Also send in as much medical evidence as you can with your claim because this will also help towards the decision being made." Wow there, back up a bit...so basically if they decide the evidence isn't enough (and i even had one letter from the Rhuematologist stating i was unfit for work!) and the tribuneral go against you (mine agreed with me luckily), then basically unless you get worse there and then, you're fucked. Once again DWP are in the land of lala! If that person had no other choice than to go back onto JSA and their advisor believes that person is unfit for work, then the chances are that person will be sanctioned at some point and be left with NOTHING. How is that person supposed to live? It's ludicrous and down right dangerous. I urge ANYONE if they HAVE no other choice but to claim JSA and are then put in a work placement, make sure that your employer knows EVERYTHING about your illnesses and your limits, even if they are silly or sound daft. Chances are, you'll be too restrictive and they'll complain that they wern't informed properly. If a person becomes ill during that placement, then SUE the government and get the papers, tv and MP involved. Name and shame all the way and stress that NO ONE listened to you. It's scary that in a country as developed as ours, those who work hard sometimes can't afford a decent meal, tbose who want to succeed have their route cut due to lack of funding and the sick and disabled are all seen as scroungers who have no business to get any help. And those who will suffer the most are those with illnesses have have no visable signs. God help us all :(