Sick under attack.

[Davy2]

How many members have been contacted by sickness benifits concerning the new shake up of making disabled people work, being told that they are going to be put on the job centre plus in order that they can do something to warrant the money they receive! With total support given? Of course!! Any of your views will be welcome, I am at a loss what to think of this new method? I do know this though I'm Nearly sixty, diagnosed with PPS and already I feel threatened.

[fisherman]

Hi Davy,
when I had to stop working (about 6yrs ago) and went to sign-on at the Job centre for the first time, I had an appointment with a disability officer  Who was very sympathetic and explained the interview was just to record my details, and make sure I was getting the right benefits. She also asked me how my disability affected me, in relation to working and if given the right support. I told her that I could no longer do my job because my health had deteriorated and that, no amount of help could be put in place to make it possible to go back to the job I had.
I was asked if I wanted any training to do something else, such as what, I asked. I am a qualified electrician, electronics engineer and teacher.
By this time I think, she had come to the conclusion, I had no intentions of going back to work.
I have never been called back again. I think the main reason for contacting those on benefits, is to make sure the claim is genuine.
I would not feel threatened if you are call in for any reason, just tell them you circumstances and explain your condition. You don't have to lie, but lay it on thick, as they say 
Remember, there are nearly 3 million unemployed and hardly any jobs available.
I look at it this way, who wants to employ a 61 year old man, who is disabled, in a wheelchair? Give the young ones a chance!

[chris57]

I had a similar experience about three years or so ago, Davy which worried me also.  I was called to the jobcentre with a view to finding me employment.  I took with me information about post polio syndrome and explained that I could never rely on how I was going to feel energy wise from day to day and the woman signed me off permanently.  She was very understanding. So I wouldn't worry too much.

[pumpkin]

Davy, I wouldnt worry, I think they are just trying to catch out the shirkers, the wheat from the chaf, the same people that get blue badges and dont really need to and have no intention of working although would be capable.  I'm sure we have all met someone who comes under this category.  People with polio are all fighters and sadly many have had to give up work early through no fault of their own.

[Davy2]

Hi fisherman, thank you for your response, I had to give up my heating and plumbing business in 96 to care for my wife who developed a brain tumour this changed our entire life, back then I managed to cope? But there was and have been times when I have had a relapse which has laid me up needing medical assistance concerning my right side and chest problems, the ironic part of this saga really is back when I was younger, I literally had to lie about my health status in order for me to get a job, back in the sixties and seventies it was difficult if you had any sort of disability? Well it was for me! I have been to two of these interviews now and each time the interviewer has mentioned that 'if' I do not attend or assign myself for work my money will be stopped, I have asked them to put their quotes in writing as yet they have not, I did have one guy phone me from Belfast to ask what my views were for the changes that are coming, do i strongly disagree or just disagree, do I strongly agree or just agree, I tell you my head was buzzing by the time he had finished!!. I had no idea what he was on about?.

Hi Davy,
when I had to stop working (about 6yrs ago) and went to sign-on at the Job centre for the first time, I had an appointment with a disability officer  Who was very sympathetic and explained the interview was just to record my details, and make sure I was getting the right benefits. She also asked me how my disability affected me, in relation to working and if given the right support. I told her that I could no longer do my job because my health had deteriorated and that, no amount of help could be put in place to make it possible to go back to the job I had.
I was asked if I wanted any training to do something else, such as what, I asked. I am a qualified electrician, electronics engineer and teacher.
By this time I think, she had come to the conclusion, I had no intentions of going back to work.
I have never been called back again. I think the main reason for contacting those on benefits, is to make sure the claim is genuine.
I would not feel threatened if you are call in for any reason, just tell them you circumstances and explain your condition. You don't have to lie, but lay it on thick, as they say 
Remember, there are nearly 3 million unemployed and hardly any jobs available.
I look at it this way, who wants to employ a 61 year old man, who is disabled, in a wheelchair? Give the young ones a chance!

[Davy2]

Hi Chris, thanks for your reply, what I'm being told is that anyone who claims sickness benefit are going to be called on with the new reforms that are coming out, what they are saying, 'if' you can access the Internet for example then you are capable of doing work, even if this means doing little jobs and if anyone refuses then their benefit will be affected, I have spent the last thirteen years caring for my wife even though my own health was slowly being affected, I have no idea what to do, I would like to do something but my body keeps loosing me down!!.

I had a similar experience about three years or so ago, Davy which worried me also.  I was called to the jobcentre with a view to finding me employment.  I took with me information about post polio syndrome and explained that I could never rely on how I was going to feel energy wise from day to day and the woman signed me off permanently.  She was very understanding. So I wouldn't worry too much.

[chris57]

Davy, if you have already attended interviews which you feel have been intimidating, then my advice would be to get an advocate to help you.  I am not saying that you are incapable of fighting your own battles, but sometimes an advocate adds more strength to your position and knows the way that these organisations work.  You could contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or you could contact The British Polio Fellowship Welfare Department for advice.  infobenefits@britishpolio.org.uk

Hope this helps.

[Davy2]

Thanks Chris I have sent them a message, its not that I cant stick up for myself, my life at the moment is rock bottom, the reason for my concern is the last call from my disability adviser was rather damming, she, in so many words threatened me that my money will be stopped if I do not comply with these new changes in benefits, when I tried to reason the fact this would only exacerbate my health she said and I quote, "I hope they stop your money"; she then terminated the phone call abruptly! You may say why did I not report her, the truth is I have no fight left in me since losing my wife, we were childhood sweethearts forty two years together, we always got through the bad times and there has been plenty of those in my life mainly to do with health issues, thanks again Chris maybe some good will come out of it. Dave

Davy, if you have already attended interviews which you feel have been intimidating, then my advice would be to get an advocate to help you.  I am not saying that you are incapable of fighting your own battles, but sometimes an advocate adds more strength to your position and knows the way that these organisations work.  You could contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or you could contact The British Polio Fellowship Welfare Department for advice.  infobenefits@britishpolio.org.uk

Hope this helps.