women with visible and invisible disabilities
On Wednesday 25 May, the disability benefit assessment companies – Atos (Independent Assessment Services), Capita and Maximus (Health Assessment Advisory Service) – are called to answer questions from MPs on the all-party Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into disability benefit assessments. Disabled women and men will be watching closely. ** Watch online Wednesday at 9.15am … Read more
The inquest in Nottingham into the death of Philippa Day has concluded. Her sister, Imogen Day says: “Support from her community psychiatric nurse and from her family kept her going. But the constant cold and unsympathetic wall of resistance that she met at Capita and the DWP was more than she could endure. The refusal … Read more
Many thanks to Disability News Service for your coverage of Rita’s benefit win with WinVisible’s help — shared below. A great response on Twitter. By John Pring on 6th August 2020 A disabled woman of colour had her disability benefits removed for failing to attend a face-to-face assessment, even though she had repeatedly explained that she was not … Read more
Shared from Disability News Service: By John Pring on 27th February 2020 A disabled woman’s tribunal victory has given hope to claimants who cannot take part in face-to-face benefit assessments for impairment, health, or trauma-related reasons, but then have their claims ended by the government for “failure to attend” their appointments. Jane* spent two years fighting for her … Read more
We got this message about our self-help information on exemption from face-to-face benefit interviews: “Hi, I’m emailing about the story you have online from June 2017 about the guidelines protecting people with severe mental illness getting a face to face assessment when applying for PIP. I’m from Northern Ireland and have a 20-year severe mental … Read more
In February, the all-party Work and Pensions Committee of MPs issued two scathing reports on the PIP and ESA assessments done by Atos, Capita and Maximus — on claimant experiences, and recommendations on the system. The MPs are awaiting the government’s response. They got nearly 4,000 submissions, mainly from claimants, who continue to have a … Read more
Read our leaflets with guidance for professionals on the rules you can quote in letters and reports, for your patient or client to be exempted from the face-to-face exams: ESA or Universal Credit — read or download and print here Based on the regulations built into ESA/Universal Credit on “substantial risk to health” — mental … Read more
We gathered our experiences of the benefit assessments, to send to the all-party Work and Pensions Select Committee of MPs. They are looking into assessments because so many people who are refused are winning their case at appeal. We say: Assessments for ESA and PIP are set up to deny claimants the disability benefits they need … Read more
Mental Wealth Alliance — action against Royal College of Occupational Therapists links with Capita and PIP assessments. Sound system and open mic, placards. Thur 27 July – meet at Borough Tube at 9.45am – finish after lunch Where: Royal College of Occupational Therapists, 106 – 114 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB The recent conference … Read more