Disabled or Faking it (Documentary)

[@IamPINKIEDaniels]

Pity there isn't documentaries on all the tax money that is defrauded with spending on "personal" items by politicians every year.

[@debravega8132]

Samoyne AKA Pinkie Daniels Agree with you.. they should do a tally of how much money they spend a year. We should be able to see how much they spend where our money goes.. They get so much free stuff just because they run gov.

[@jaqulinerathbone296]

Plus all the money minor royals use on security and private jets like Prince Edward and princess Euginie. All from the tax pot.

[@mickyd4875]

Debra Vega Park

[@ncfo20]

Politicians aren't inferior sub-humans like benefits claimants are.

[@godisgoodallthetime7622]

On point!

[@warriorprincess16]

Throughout the whole documentary, 99% of disabled people were shown to be in a wheelchair/crutches/scooter etc...I wanted to make a point that, not all physical disabilities are visible! I'm one of those people!

[@Teenywing]

Me too.

[@meplife7313]

same... living with multiple invisible diseases

[@warriorprincess16]

Sunshine Lindsay I'm so sorry to hear that. Sending you healing hugs 🤗 best wishes 😇🍀🦋🧚🏻‍♀️

[@warriorprincess16]

Me Plife I'm so sorry to hear that. Sending you healing hugs 🤗 all the best 🧚🏻‍♀️🦋🍀

[@Emin3m523]

Me too

[@scottmcdonald5896]

This is exactly what happen to my father he had a heart attack on the day he should have had an assessment. I believe this was due to unnecessary stress these people put on him. Disgusting

[@CharlieRayne2]

It shouldn't be the government that decides whether or not someone are able to work. It should be the individual's doctor/psychiatrist or whoever else actually knows what they're talking about and the patient.

[@DottyRoxy]

And that have known them for a period of time instead of 20mins ._.

[@samanthapeters2972]

Bianca Bojer Christensen , agree. My specialist doctors wrote a 3 page essay about how my disability affects me, about the side effects of my medications, my history of my disability, references of other doctors that treated me, etc. I didn't expect the specialist doctors to write so much. They didn't write it all in one go. Because they had to contact other doctors.

[@boomersoonerbaby3466]

Exactly! @ Bianca A shining example of how the government is involved in things they shouldn't be and don't need to be.....

[@perfectfae3534]

Bianca Bojer Christensen A doctor does decide.

[@rhianamckenzie932]

In Scotland (at least for me) thats how it works

[@Maples01]

I bet the country pays more to the company to test, than it saves, it's politics.

[@absojake]

And it all goes to France.

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

Yes. And it all goes back into government coffers - at least the corporation tax does. If the government aren't doing a fucking Starbucks on Atos too ....

[@alanwhitham6429]

Wealthy tax dodgers certainly cost much more , so does bombing innocent people in the middle-east .

[@greenpedal370]

@@DavidAndrewsPEC I bet the government have given them a big fat tax break!!

[@DavidAndrewsPEC]

@@greenpedal370 Like they do with all their fucking friends.

[@nuancematters]

It's difficult enough for non-disabled people to get employment these days, never mind people who are disabled!

[@themostrandom3425]

The_Red_Queen nah ur just a lazy fuck who dosent wana go out and find the work

[@FateBoost]

gta mods and more Rude.

[@jessicataylor7174]

gta mods and more ~ Or perhaps The_Red_Queen actually walks around with their eyes open and is aware of the very real situations people are dealing with. There was no mention that The_Red_Queen was out of work or struggling to find work or couldn't be bothered....most likely The_Red_Queen is simply not ignorant and holds compassion and respect for other people, especially those who are facing difficulties in daily life.

[@bethlancaster4120]

The tories cutbacks don't help though do they. Not to mention mass immigration. More people, less jobs.

[@nuancematters]

I have only just noticed all of these replies. I’m self employed so not lazy or unwilling (and neither are most people who are unemployed, recent events ought to be evidence of this) but I am all too aware of how difficult it is in today’s climate to find work, and especially full time work with actual contracted hours.

[@klouisejones4561]

My mother was told she was fit for work when she had terminally ill cancer. It’s shameful!!!

[@jaycollins9845]

i am disabled and powerchair confined,made all the worse in the last ten years due to three strokes,and i would love to be able to go to work,its not about money,its about my pride

[@sarahewson3607]

I can sympathize. I’m trapped in a marriage I can’t leave because I’m unable to work and support my kids. Because I’ve been a stay at home mom, the government says I have not worked enough to collect disability.

[@christopheredison2094]

@@sarahewson3607 if your trapped, go get help now because it will only get worse, you will be helped because you have dependants, honestly make an appointment with a Citizens Advice Bureau and take steps. Dont be afraid to break free dig deep n find the strength and courage, believe in yourself, all the best 👍

[@devianadkar7969]

@@sarahewson3607 are you disabled though? If not you are not entitled to it.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

@@sarahewson3607 Hoping You are in a better place (2024)

[@meleymelo1]

When you become disabled it means you are going to live in poverty for the rest of your life ask most disabled if they would give up their pension to be able to work i bet the majority would gladly give up their pension for that chance

[@tracyniemeyer8691]

I wish I could work. Before I had to give up I had 3 jobs earning 1500 a month now I'm on 250 a month. I miss my wages

[@annaszdidi1355]

Yeah..so true ..i will give my disability for free..I got paraplegia due to stroke..its suck just lay in bed everyday ..I WANNA GO OUT!!

[@dustyboi8975]

You are condemned to a life of meagre to moderate financial support- whatever the state arbitrarily deems you are worth. I am fortunate and have managed to somehow live relatively comfortably. But I will always live in fear of some sort of scythe being swung and know I’ll struggle to ever be independent from state support.

[@casperblackcat1975]

Even If you do have a disability or chronic Illness & you could work who's going to employ you especially if yo need constant sick days off work unless you have a understanding of disability employment then you have no right to judge.

[@mick2345vid]

well said

[@allieniner675]

casperblackcat1975 so very true!

[@Jswim77]

If you work but if you got very sick because of having a disability like he said you would get fired for calling in sick so many times.

[@MichaelSmith-tp1pj]

True True

[@charlesmoore4046]

casperblackcat1975 p

[@Sthmohtwenty]

The govt scrutinised poor ppl yet they have money to fight war and aid

[@dawnmason9558]

Tahiti Baksh and give themselves massive rises

[@vestelle7283]

Tahiti Baksh yeah they always have plenty for that

[@malikrahman8649]

If you want free money, you'll be told what to do not what you want to do.

[@carolkrab9968]

You do not need to claim benefit here in holland. It is automatic through the doctor eye. They are the one who judge if you can work or not.

[@toddlavigne6441]

And that's the way it should be, MD's are qualified and probably are the most unbiased regarding this decision. How can you trust the opinion of a government flunky. Most are lazy fools and essentially, they themselves, are on disability. It's called working for the government. LOL

[@Bluelilly40]

I heard Holland has excellent pain care as well. America needs to watch and learn from Holland instead of pushing people off of their pain medications and sending them to the streets for relief.

[@maevecooper4290]

@@Bluelilly40 Definitely ! I don’t know much about the system in Britain, but I guarantee America’s system is even worse. Only junkies, seem to have an easy go of it! They, turn down most people, out of hand.

[@TheHamadanners]

You do need drs records in america

[@swizzleproxi4810]

It's a shame for the people who genuinely are ill and that's the majority of cases.

[@robokill387]

almost all of them, actually. there are barely any cases of fakery statistically.

[@HillbillyYEEHAA]

Even now, fraud isn't even 1%.

[@HIOP0]

AGREED, SO IS IT FAIR JUST TO LET THE WORKSHY, LAZY, LEADSWINGING MINORITY HAVE THEIR LIVES AND HABITS FUNDED BY THE REST OF THE WORKING FOLKS?

[@sarahewson3607]

That assessment is an absolute crime.

[@carolhinse2972]

Not all disabilities are there for all to see. There are so many disabilities that are labeled bogus, for the simple fact there's no blood test/tests, as such, that can prove the disability. To be degraded and repeatedly called a liar, it's no wonder so many commit suicide.

[@Nectarisa]

even an 'invisible disability' that is well documented as being real can cause those kinds of thoughts. People simply don't believe what they can't see, yet they struggle with life altering difficulty, and the pain is very real.

[@darrenwithers3628]

Carol Hinse I don't even care about people faking disabilities to get benefits when there are people in the world with billions of pounds they got from exploiting people.

[@siginotmylastname3969]

I have auditory processing issues which I don't know what I'd be diagnosed with. Trying to study just with one person talking in the room is impossible and everyday noise feels like torture, gives me anxiety attacks. And noise cancelling headphones don't work with talking so I listen to music and avoid people, will probably make myself deaf tbh and then happily learn british sign language.

[@HIOP0]

THEN DEVISE A FOOLPROOF WAY OF BEING ABLE TO DIFFERENTUATE BETWEEN THE GENUINE CLAIMANTS AND THE REST OF THE 5CUM

[@paulcroft4228]

My own Father died a week or two after an "assessment", of a heart attack - diagnosed by his GP but completely ignored by the assessing "Doctor", who passed him fit for work.

[@lemostjoyousrenegade]

Paul Croft That's a shame.😒Sorry for your loss, Paul. Hugs.❤️

[@andycheatle1732]

That's appalling - I'm very sorry to hear that, truly.

[@testingtest3322]

That's fucked! Sorry man 😘

[@IamPINKIEDaniels]

Wow I'm shocked people with disabilities are being treated like this

[@FateBoost]

Same. Read My ‘Story’ Below : TICCS is my local assessment centre, which I went to in November 2017, after 6-8 years without a medical assessment. They are just as bad as Atos. The letter came back saying I wasn’t entitled to PIP/DLA as I wasn’t disabled, they say, but the cover letter clearly stated I was disabled, but they then the points on the scoring table where totally different, most weren’t awarded that were disclosed in the cover letter. Even worse, the DWP doesn’t answer their appeals phone line, tried about 10 different times in the last 2 weeks, and on hold for over 20 minutes with no answer. It’s an absolute joke. Personally I don’t believe going to a tribunal should be needed, as the points awarded where clearly incorrect as the cover letter was contradictory.

[@stuartbrown25]

Thats PM David Cameron for ya, he was nasty and ruthless. close to the elections Cameron said he would look after the disabled then won the election then screwed the disabled over to the point there were cases of suicide. David Cameron simply hated people on benefits and stated all those on benefits are lazy who simply don't want to work, then you had Traitor Theresa May who was nasty and ruthless.

[@Alwpiano]

This is how it works. Assessor asks question. Applicant gives the answer that's worth 6 points for example. Assessor nods and then starts typing the answer that is worth 0 points. Assessor does this for most of the questions. That's the problem.

[@LawnMowersThingsThatMakeNoise]

And its still a problem in 2024 😞

[@karimanning9232]

Seriously disgusting that ppl would claim to be disabled when their not!

[@lymarie1974]

sounds to me that some of the people who do the assessments are bullies with some of the patients.

[@resilienceofagypsy3998]

lymarie1974 many of them are not even medically qualified

[@toddlavigne6441]

It's obvious when someone is healthy enough to work and usually obvious when they are not. In Canada, you need a doctor to approve any disability. Leaving it up to some idiot government flunky to assess and decide your fate is just wrong.

[@sabaabdullah7436]

I agree ive a illness that affects my brain and kidney disease but to them you are fine .

[@starrchild4928]

They can be, I don't know why the word of your own gp isn't good enough, they're not going to lie for people so why do you have to be further assessed by someone who isn't even medically qualified?

[@Skiskiski]

The pressure is put on the assessor too. That is why they check their legs and arms and give them 0 points and say they can work.

[@marialee627]

I would like to see a documentary on how politicians spend and waste tax payers money

[@dekakahin]

That’s why I will never work for these companies as a nurse I find it unethical. They pay well and they target us all the time to work for them. Disgusting system

[@SeanTheOriginal]

This is the result in inherent distrust. People who are sick are being fucked with just to weed out the small percent scamming the system.

[@darksharkrafa1]

Its not a few scammers.....its 50 percent

[@valeriegordon3000]

As they said here, it was something like 1%.

[@darksharkrafa1]

50 per cent

[@chailatte7926]

+be frank No, less than half of one percent. That's less than .5% not 50%. Pay attention.

[@HeavymetalHylian]

just because it was on the tv, it doesn't mean that it's true. There are plenty of people on benefits that don't need to be - why would faking disability be exempt from that?

[@clareshaughnessy2745]

I wonder what would happen if they put as much effort into stopping tax evasion and blocking tax avoidance schemes?

[@SkashTheKitsune]

great, my knee can go to work while the rest of me will rest at home

[@allieniner675]

In Australia if you're on the DSP (like me), you have the option to work up to 8 hours a week. But like most of us, no one is willing to employ someone with a disability because of sick days, being in hospital and attending appointments constantly.

[@samanthapeters2972]

Clark Kent , it's not completely fair in Australia. Each state is slightly different. Also a person's disability determines how many hours they can work. Some people on disability still have to do volunteer work or attend programs on how to get a job when you have a disability. I know one guy paralysed on one side of his body. He had his disability pension stopped, because he stopped attending programs. He doesn't have a carer to help him. A church end up helping him get his disability pension back. It's common. There's so much red tape in the system, and some disabled people don't fit in a category. So they are put in areas of the system not suited for them.

[@RadiantGuardians]

Here in NZ, I have a family member who quit her job working as a case manager for work and income support, she said that it was stressing her out that the people up stairs were being hard on her for not trying to get people back into work.... She said that staff are given pay bonus packages for every client they get back in to work and off of the benefit...... She said it became so stressful for her that she ended up handing in her resignation and found another job.

[@minkytink]

It's crazy! One of my friends fathers had to go to an Atos medical but because he was able to lift one arm up and put one foot in front of the other etc he was awarded 0 points and deemed fit to work. He died less than a week later before receiving the letter saying he was fit to work. My friend who opened his fathers letter was understandably distraught and furious!!!

[@kellywils9646]

My mother had an assessment and the assessor said to her “your hair is coloured isn’t it and it is obviously cut regularly, this means you do interact with others in order to take care of your hair”. When In actual fact my sister is a hairdresser and she colours and cuts all of the family’s hair!! I couldn’t believe they were so pathetic to pickup on that fact that she has her hair cut and coloured!!! 🤬😡🤬

[@VirtualTrucker74]

Four years on from this video and the only thing that's changed with the system is that it's now a lot worse for those with genuine disabilities, on a recent visit to my local Job Centre I witnessed someone who was clearly suffering with a mental illness being reduced to tears in front of everyone, the so called work coach didn't seem to care that this person was suffering and the just kept repeating the fact that they would be sanctioned if they didn't adhere to the "contract" that they had agreed to. I haven't seen that person since and I really hope that they are ok.

[@MrLTiger]

good. it's time to stop catering to giant pussies

[@rachiti]

What part of mental illness didn't you read? MrLTiger - you're an absolute jerk. May life give you a good dose of what it's like to be disabled, and then we'll see if you're still singing the same tune.

[@samanthapeters2972]

gworf74 ', I had a Down syndrome guy sit next to me every day looking for a job. I sometimes had to help him, which was hard. Because I can't talk properly, and my hands shake. So communicating is sometimes a nightmare. He finally got a low paid job in a factory, putting jewellery in little bags. When I heard about him getting the job, I was happy for him. But I couldn't stop crying. It is such a simple job, yet I can't physically do it. After that day I started to have lots of panic attacks. I know how it feels to lose hope, and suddenly overwhelmed. I too hope that person you talk about is alright.

[@darrenwithers3628]

The role of jobcenter staff is to shut down a claim in any way possible. Once you make an agreement you have to stick rigidly to it. People can apply for 50 jobs a day and be sanctioned for failing to do an agreed task.

[@janetterose1191]

I failed ESA in June, with Ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, asthma, sciatica, impared hearing, iritis, suspected Meniere's disease. I failed pip tribunal at court. I was on DLA 10 years, now forced to look for work with a sick note that runs out October. Absolutely disgusting how some are treated.

[@blessinggoodthings3124]

Janette Rose they lack empathy.

[@Buffalolil]

What gets me is when you've worked all your life and end up through little to no fault of your own struggling so much in your "Golden Years". This is just one thing, I have more!

[@lanearquette453]

i felt bad for the man that could not breath

[@Rat_Queen86]

My husband has ankylosing spondylitis, took MRI’s, X Rays, and a literal file of notes from his rheumatologist about his medication etc to his PPI assessment- he had worked his entire adult life up until the illness reared its head after his dad died. He never got the PPI and now I have to support him. So yeah. The system sucks ass.

[@CaptchaNeon]

While there are some people who are faking disability, it's not likely that it's a high enough percentage that it should be worth spending out a ton of time and money in order to find those few people. I also think that the job centre is full of crap, they rarely ever help anyone find jobs.

[@ajhuser1]

Most disabilities are workman comps and their companies will hire a PI if they don't want to payout trying to catch that person doing something they shouldn't be...it's a sad deal for some as that can be so misleading. The Gov't doesn't fork out a dime for SS since the people are the ones who pay out of their income for it...if the Gov't says SS is running out, it's a lie, unless it's because they dipped into it and spent it....

[@LancashireLad666]

Its all bollocks... 53% of ALL welfare is state pensions!! Put together with universal benefits such as family allowance, working tax credits, child tax credits etc, all the rest are a fraction of the cost of total welfare. Yet the government goes after the most vulnerable in society. I'm not saying there are scrounging lazy bastards, but the vast majority need that money to live a decent quality of life.

[@christineaygin4330]

Pensions are NOT welfare - we were paying into a pension pot through National Insurance contributions - and now have been scammed out of that - men having to wait until 70 and women until 67 - shame on you for targeting people who have worked and paid into the pot

[@iriscollins7583]

My husband and I between us worked 90 years paying National Insurance. My husband died at the age of 64, so never drew a pension. We didn't have tax credits, child allowance, minimum pay, living wage etc. I draw one pension, the other one just went into the pot., which went to pay for health cover for children, pensioners, people who could not work, people who would not work, etc. I think that people who say that pensioners are on welfare, don't know what they're talking about. If you pay on an insurance policy for over 45 years you expect it to pay out at the end.

[@DentrassiCook]

@@christineaygin4330 I don't think the comment was intended to offend pensioners. What the poster means is that the welfare bill all comes out of the same pot, paid for by our NI contributions... which means that we *all* contribute, regardless of whether a taxpayer makes it all the way to retirement or whether their health gives out sooner. Pensions are classed as welfare in terms of calculating the total welfare bill and are included in national statistics as a form of welfare. It is just a label, nothing more, and it goes to prove that the majority of people claiming money from that pot are retirees and not the "lazy scroungers" that the govt likes to pretend are lurking around every corner. However, that feeling you felt of being targeted is a very real and unpleasant one. Please spare a thought for those who are being aggressively targeted in spite of *also* having worked their whole lives and now, after their health has gone south, are treated like the dregs of society. Nobody deserves that.

[@gretahunt4401]

You are right except for the state pension bit. Only a portion of state pensions are allocated to people who have not paid any or enough NI contributions and can therefore be termed welfare. But the main point you made about the majority of disability benefits being made by truly disabled people is absolutely correct. The amount of money that’s fraudulently claimed is small comparatively. This Tory government absolutely demonised sick people as being a burden and that’s unforgivable. They’ve backed away from it a little recently but not to where you can say it’s a fair system.

[@anastasiaromanot6626]

@@christineaygin4330 There is no “pot”. Current pensioners have paid in (or at least those who worked) NI, which covered their entitlement to receive a pension in the future, which is then paid for by the current generation of taxpayers - who are also paying NI to qualify for future assistance. They don’t take everyone’s NI contributions and put it in a bank account ready for when you retire! So yes, you are still receiving payments from the welfare portion of the budget, whether it’s been anticipated or not.

[@zencontroller]

being on sickness benefits of any kind is awful. no going out earning money. no meeting new people. your trapped in your home, its no picnic. and when you have illnesses to deal with aswell its a nightmare. especially on your own, having to deal with social services when your not well. and always having the knowledge that the government want to take away peoples benefits. which leaves you feeling devastated about your situation. i cant stress enough how bad it really feels to be a sick person.

[@kb3239]

“Oh, your trapezius and hip flexors work? You can get a job” It should be their personal doctors who asses them. I feel so bad for the guy who had a heart attack 39 days of being cleared for work.

[@lindabrown7046]

I am glad that Chris was able to get his benefit sorted out the man has worked all his life unlike some people who are fake and work shy

[@NickanM]

*When I was assessed, then the system was delayed so I went without any kind of income for five months, thank God that I'm married, we pulled it through thanks to some small loans and my hubby working double shifts. I was assessed to be 100% disabled, but still had to wait for the disability check.*

[@cathiiannii]

How about creating jobs for the able bodied rather then attaking those on welfare??

[@natevic1867]

If you’re genuinely disabled and they try to fail you KEEP FIGHTING for your rights, that’s one thing they can’t prevent you from doing. My aunt has mental health problems, she literally talks to herself and rarely makes any sense, miracle doctors failed her because she was able to answer some questions for herself. They just expected her to sign on. Literally told them they were stupid for thinking she was ok and REFUSED to sign on. APPEAL straightaway and gather all evidence from doctors etc and continue getting sick notes so that you can get some income support. Usually drags on a year but eventually you will get what you are entitled to. Don’t just give up and let them win, that’s what they want. Always appeal!

[@matthewbritton4149]

Well said iam having to appeal as my P.I.P. was pathetic scored no points and i have been diagnosed with muilipal seroilsis early stages after MRI SCAN these p.i.p. assessment forms are ridiculous as no face to face because of cornavirus so now have to wait upto a year and then my physical health will have deterated as my late mother died from M.S. so i will be in a wheelchair ♿️ as iam struggling now walking 🚶‍♂️ and cant cycle anymore which is devastating my mental health is very low now and on medication iam dreading what will happen 😢

[@natevic1867]

@@matthewbritton4149 I am sorry about that. The only silver lining about no face to face due to corona is that there’s a higher chance of winning the appeal. Something to do with they can’t fail you if they can’t see you. The waiting game will be a pain in the butt but try to distract yourself as best you can. Do you have absolutely anybody to confide in near to you - friends, family, neighbours? Someone who can help you fill in forms or take you to citizens advice bureau so they can help you? Not sure what your gp surgery is like but shockingly my one actually has a doctor who also helps you fill in your forms, problem is (understandably) that you’ll have to wait a few weeks in advance until you can see them. And they have a system now where you can just arrange for a sick note online and simply pick it up. I’m shocked but like I said every cloud. Come here to talk to me as often as you want, I don’t want you feeling down even though I can understand completely why your mental health is so low right now. Keep going though mate, you’ve got this. This is just your horrible challenge for this year but next year will be a better year for you. Stay strong, I hope this message was of some comfort to you. 🙏

[@janeway4eva]

As a nurse I would never admit to doing the job of assessing people for this I would be ashamed and embarrassed and I think any nurse that does this job should be considering if they should carry on doing this job as causing suffering goes against the basic principles of care and nursing

[@janetothen2583]

Problem is there r very few medically trained people doing the assessments. I saw a doc once. Other 6medicals i had were just office workers taught what buzz words to listen for. Luckily i have medical evidence to back up my claims as back pain doesnt get u very far. Because i have mri scans proving my damage i only lost my money once and at tribunal i was given it back in 3mins! Lol! They looked at my medical proof (was a doc a lawyer and a social worker on my panel) the doc said i was on more pain relief than a cancer patient so how on earth can i be refused? And i was stuck in a wheelchair. Im so grateful that after that i have no problems moving from dla to pip but having to have 2-3yrly medicals is stressful when my condition is only getting worse!

[@normathomas8276]

@@janetothen2583 our own des are the ones fit to say who can work

[@PaddyInf]

@@janetothen2583 I guarantee that the assessors are not 'office workers taught buzz words'. All assessors are either qualified and registered doctors, nurses, physiotherapists or OTs with at least 2 years post reg experience and have to maintain their registration throughout their employment. These are the minimum requirements to be approved.

[@janetothen2583]

@@PaddyInf the ones that physically assess u mostly r but not all. I havent seen one with a medical back ground in 5yrs now. My mil saw a part time paramedic and he passed her, he came back for her hubby and as he was stupid enough to go out and garden, he was failed when it was his turn by same guy. I get assessed by either pip or esa most yrs (or both) and less and less medical staff will do it so they literally give office staff sheets of words and phrases to listen for and questions to ask. Then some one later looks it over who is medically qualified but doesnt see u so either has to call u to clarify an answer (happened to me 3times now) or they just ignore and carry on. I used to help people apply for a charity aswell and i know very well how the system works.

[@PaddyInf]

@@janetothen2583 With ESA your questionnaire and any other submitted evidence is looked at by a file work trained HCP (known as a paper based assessment) to determine if a recommendation can be made without a face to face interview, if GPs need to be contacted etc. These are HCPs who carry out face to face assessments and have done additional PBA training. If a decision cannot be made at that stage, you are called for assessment. I don't know about Capita, but I can guarantee that CHDA don't have any paramedics working for them. There are a very small number of OTs. All others are nurses, physios or doctors. As I stated earlier the minimum requirement is at least 2 years post reg experience and be currently registered with the GMC, NMC or HCPC. This is mandated by legislation. All assessors are checked and approved by the office of the Secretary for Work and Pensions. Take a look at your assessment print out and it will state the HCPs profession by their name (Registered Nurse/physiotherapist/Registered Medical Practitioner). This is available on request from the DWP. This is all in the public domain, and you can check what part of the registers they are on by looking at the NMC/GMC web sites. There are no assessors who do not hold an in date registration, and the companies are required to check this yearly. Which assessment centre do you attend for assessment? Is it Capita or CHDA?

[@helenlogan6481]

I got a member of atos health care suspended because of the way he treated me at an assessment. Luckily I have a strong mind & can stick up 4 myself but there’s many vulnerable people who accept the treatment they get through no fault of their own

[@tamistone2632]

Everyone who fails the test should appeal right away

[@purplesnails22]

My auntie was deemed fit for work. She appealed but died the day before reassessment.

[@JohnDoe-ld8co]

purplesnails22 Sad very sad.

[@greenoctober1082]

So sorry

[@deniseshephard3347]

I'm so sorry

[@korohorobullor3970]

politicians playing GOD.

[@HIOP0]

SAD AND PATHETIC KNEE JERK REACTION...THEY ARE RESPONSIBLY GUARDING THE PUBLIC PURSE FROM LAZY, WORKSHY, SCROUNGERS...ARE YOU PERCHANCE IN THAT UNLOVED GROUP?

[@meganshire4689]

My mum is paralyzed and can’t move so it annoys me that people are lying about having a disability!

[@norcanexs.g.llc.4625]

The name "Great Britain" sure does not apply anymore.

[@annetteslife]

These people make me sick! I sure as hell wish I had not have to walk with a walker. I can see needing these tests to weed out the frauds but going after people who legitimately cannot work GOD DAMN!

[@DeniseHedberg66]

I live in the USA and went through testing for disability. I asked my own doctor to explain to me how a person would be tested for the things on the review I got. When she explained to me how the tests would have been done, I found out that the doctor that the government used to test me did not even do the tests they claimed to have done on the forms. I wrote a letter to the disability office that the doctor they used LIED about the testing they did in the paperwork. My disability was approved 3 weeks later. The disability offices lie and take their time, hoping that a person will get sick of having no income and go back to work. At my hearing, the judge said that they had never seen such a detailed, well written letter from a doctor as mine; that my doctor had explicitly written that I should NOT be working and that I could not work. I do not know if they ever secretly studied me to see if I could do things I claimed I couldn't, even though they had the time. But it still took 3 years to get my disability payments started. The back check I received I used to pay off my house so I could live on the meager funds I would be getting. A person really does not get much in payments in the USA. I feel bad for people that have to pay rent while getting disability. Not sure if I could do it. God bless them!! Thank god I got my house paid for.

[@oldmanballer5088]

Yeah we don’t get paid much but did you hear the guy with COPD gets $90 a week. I realize it’s been 11 yrs but I make 3 times that on disability.

[@darrenwithers3628]

What a load of tosh. Assessments are not to weed out fraud. They are to cut the benefit bill.

[@neoniahazelwood9263]

This makes it difficult for those who are truly disabled.

[@lone263]

Their throwing people off to save money, that all it's about!

[@rainbowkitten8990]

My mum is generally unwell and is unfit for work according to the government. This makes me so angry when people fake it 😔

[@HelloHello-y4w]

It shouldn't. No one should be a slave, if the only way to not be a slave is to fake a disability then that's the problem. No one should he forced to be a slave if they don't want to.

[@gulzarbibi8935]

Poor man bless him. May you RIP 😢😢

[@madasamattarch]

In this documentary it makes the point that a disabled man ran the London marathon, implying that his claim was therefore fraudulent. Could it not be that the man had a mental disability that meant that he could not work? Not all disabilities are immediately visible. Just because he is capable of running doesn't necessarily mean that he is capable of working, full time.

[@captainchaos3053]

Mattibald Arch The mental health issues would need to be quite bad to make someone unfit for work. But I agree, not all disability are physical.

[@Bryan_Kay]

Excuses excuses excuses!

[@celestesmith5496]

exactly my dad worked his ass off undiagnosed bipolar 1 disoreder was a subcontactor,musician,went through a lot of tough times. He was diagnosed in hi 40s and is now 66..he took the meds and was my dad again that I had before his illness cycled and worsened and he was told after spending 3 months in a hospital (he wa stronger and faster than 20 something year olds)he stopped his meds and then ended up almost liver transplant tried to overdose a few times,didn't remember and he married a girlfriend and annulled a month later..He didn't believe back then he had bipolar..The dr said time to toss the time clock card..he worked his way up to an estimator for a lumber company..he finally applied at 50 ears old and got disability 2 years later..yes you are right and pretty soon..This is awesome..Pet scans will be able to show the abnormalities in the brain structures bipolar brains ptsd brains look different than healthy subjects..so soon they will be able to tell who fakes it and who doesn't ...

[@alanwhitham6429]

BBC , very low standard of journalism , on a par with Fox news these days , once respected all over the world .

[@Alexott]

The Humongous bureaucracy and legal bill for maintaining this "fit for work" skinflint policy costs much more than any money saved from denials.

[@charlieminaj2]

Attos lost the contract to assess benefits claimants via assessments, good riddance

[@FateBoost]

Welsh Hottie TICCS is my local assessment centre, which I went to in November 2017, after 6-8 years without a medical assessment. They are just as bad. The letter came back saying I wasn’t entitled to PIP/DLA as I wasn’t disabled, they say, but the cover letter clearly stated I was disabled, but they then the points on the scoring table where totally different, most weren’t awarded that were disclosed in the cover letter. Even worse, the DWP doesn’t answer their appeals phone line, tried about 10 different times in the last 2 weeks, and on hold for over 20 minutes with no answer. It’s an absolute joke. Personally I don’t believe going to a tribunal should be needed, as the points awarded where clearly incorrect as the cover letter was contradictory.

[@paulaslife3781]

Charlie B yes but they are still operating and with two names as well as the old one

[@paulbiu2689]

Tears streaming down my eyes mental how nothing’s changed I’m going through this now 🤮 it makes me sick

[@chocomoose394]

I know. Just had to fill in a reassessment form myself. Am terrified they will reduce my PIP even though my condition has progressed. I'm 'living off' PIP rather than using it for it's intended purpose as an allowance to cover the additional cost of having disabilities, as I don't qualify for ESA due to the 2 year NI contributions rule. Luck to us all x

[@marialee627]

How can this government sleep at night when people that they are assessing are gravely I'll and they stop there benefits some have died while waiting to be reassed

[@alishakavanagh4699]

That is just the thing. They want them to die.

[@allanhill7535]

Why the hell do we use a French company to do this? All disabled people should be properly assessed for work, of course they should, but it should be fairly and sensibly. The claims should be based on the local doctors diagnosis. I am not disabled, but I would be more than happy to be assessed if I was.

[@marnie9063]

Allan Hill You're completely right. A friend of mine was assessed by a midwife for mental health problems. Which is crazy. An assessor can be paid £6,300 a month! A damn sight more than they would be paid if they worked for the NHS. I had an assessment this morning. They wanted me to do very basic questions. What was 100-75. What month and year are we in? Who's the Queen? I have a lot of cognitive problems but I know that! I might have number dyslexia but I can subtract 7 from 100. It's the bigger things that I have a problem with. Which they would know if they had bothered to look at my notes and evidence. I might have been able to do some of the very simple movements she asked me to do but now I feel like I've run a marathon and I'm in agony - so much so that 20mg of oxycodone (equal to 40mg of morphine),5mg of baclofen (a muscle relaxant) and 30mg of dihydrocodeine (which is equal to 15mg of morphine) has not touched it. I may end up having to go to hospital if it continues to get worse. That happens every few weeks unfortunately. But I bet they'll say either I'm fit to work, or that I only need standard care and mobility (rather than the enhanced rate for both which I am clearly entitled to). There's clearly something very wrong with the current system when I see people who are very very ill who are denied PIP yet I also see people who are fully able to work and who are fraudulently claiming yet they get it first time! I don't know why they felt I warranted a face to face assessment- you would have thought over 100 pages of evidence would be enough for them!

[@godisgoodallthetime7622]

I completely understand the need for this operation. But keep this in mind. Not everyone who looks normal is normal. Believe me. There's nothing I'd love more then to return to my job at the hospital. But with a 67 cm mass on my spine. That makes it impossible. And it breaks my heart. I miss my position.

[@Broccolini_yogini]

I was without money for 11 months due to the DWP and their awful system - first for being accused of being in a relationship with my housemate, then I failed the health assessment and had to go to tribunal. The assessor wrote on my forms that I 'was choosing this as a lifestyle' and that I 'looked healthy' - despite me being a 7st 30 year old who hadn't been able to leave the house in 2 years. It was the most humiliating, stressful, degrading experience of my life.

[@amandalouise8954]

Sorry to hear about your awful experience. It's a simple box ticking exercise to them with no regard for the human being. So corrupt!

[@tonyclifton265]

benefit fraudsters are a small percentage of claimants but they make the whole system look rotten. fraudulent claimants deserve severe punishment

[@deniseg-hill1730]

Atos is crap there should be doctors who do the assessments.

[@nenblom]

I live in the United States and I get something called social security disability income. That’s because, due to several pre-existing conditions, some of which you cannot see, I cannot work. I am dealing with potentially life-threatening issues. It took me a whole two years to get these benefits of $1295 a month. However, once I got the benefits, they’re very easy to keep. About every four years, I do have to have a medical assessment. However, with my pre-existing conditions, it’s very obvious that I cannot work. So, thankfully, I don’t have to worry about that. I did get most of my benefits over a period of three years when I was working. However, I got so sick that I had to visit the emergency room multiple times and I was also hospitalized. In the end, my doctor wrote a letter to Social Security saying that I cannot work. After two weeks, I got my full benefits back. I’m actually not supposed to be alive today. My heart aches for the people who, just like that, get their benefits terminated when they so badly need it. That’s not fair.

[@dawnmason9558]

A friend left working for ATOS cos they are paid a COMMISION for how many people they get OFF benefits!!!!!!

[@karenrussell7338]

Twice I have had ATOS employees lie about what I've said on their reports. It's disgusting.

[@caraudiosolutions]

hmm

[@paulwilson2133]

Heartbreaking how the disabled are treated this man should not have died they are just as responsible for the stress they caused my heart goes out to their loved ones

[@evelynkrull5268]

In my experience most disabled people will work of they can work. I'm disabled (lupus and other comorbidities) and work full time and support my spouse and I while he goes to school. I have no life outside work and constantly in pain. I'm excited to stay at home at least part time. Were not lazy.

[@goddessmelanisia]

In the US it's even worse. It can take years to get on disability benefits (it took my husband three years!). While in the process you qualify for government medical coverage. While on benefits, you qualify for medical coverage (such as it is). If you get kicked off of benefits, you also lose medical coverage.

[@KevyneShandris]

I'm disabled and on SSDI, the disability system in the USA isn't much better. Took me years to finally admit I had a disability, then took years to get it. Now after 2 strokes ... UBI, please. The stress of being on disability is bad enough, worse when everything you once had due to work (especially the social network) is gone. Gone because what employer would hire you over a healthy employee? You can't stand steady; can't use your hand/arm; and tire too easily. UBI so I can try to work at something than watching the world go by, and in my home where I can set my own hours and sleep when tired without some boss yelling about it. People can work when they have good days. Something than feeling warehoused and so micro-managed (they regulate everything from the medicine you can have, to the treatments you can get; to how much you can even spend on food).

[@carolastname1699]

The real problem is that people who are only partially disabled are forced into full disability because employers won't take someone they can't rely on 100% of the time. I have OCD with psychotic features. I'm lucky enough to be working with a super understanding employer right now but the last place I worked I had worked for 2 years and over that time had been inpatient at a psych ward for a total of 8 days and had occasionally been Kate when having a paranoid episode in the morning that would last for a few hours then get to work by the afternoon. Over 2 years that's not that much time lost. And then when I was getting bad again my doctor recommended I cut hours from 40 to 20 hours for 2 weeks to avoid going inpatient. I got fired. By all means I'm able to work 90% of the time but employers don't want me. So what's my option? Go on disability when really I can work most of the time? Employers need someone 100% if the time so my 90% isn't good enough.

[@Sameoldfitup]

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams

[@janedoh2625]

There will ALWAYS be abuses of systems like this. Punishing those who are truly disabled will not stop that. Same thing goes for pain medication prescriptions, food benefits and everything else. Don't punish those who truly need it because some people are frauds.

[@miamackay3661]

Years ago the UK Government used to offer sheltered employment, through an organisation called Remploy.

[@SpeccyMan]

Yes. Then the scheme was scrapped and the disabled people on it were thrown on the scrap heap.

[@Samj-vv9li]

I believe if someone has been proven to of commited benefit fraud they should be legally obligated to pay all the back or have possessions taken to account for the fraud. I also believe you just be checked by a professional or a psychiatrist, not some random member of staff from a private company.

[@silver760]

What was blatantly obvious when I had to go through the grind mill is that both the DWP and ATOS do not consider in their decision ANY information supplied by the patients GP and their Specialists.They act as though anything anyone tells them from outside the DWP is a complete lie.My GP has known me for decades,so has the various specialists at my local hospitals,they know me better,especially medically,than anyone else.But as far as the DWP is concerned all GP's/Doctors/surgeons are liar's.

[@amandalouise8954]

Shame the system let the genuine people down. My dad didn't have to attend an assessment, just filled in a form and was deemed fit to work. He appealed the decision which took a year before a tribunal. He won his appeal but died 3 weeks after the tribunal hearing. He recieved the backdated money he was owed days after he died. Programmes like this distracts from the true corruption.

[@starlaeuropa]

Fibromyalgia causes joints to easily dislocate? Surely that's Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or Hypermobility Syndrome? If those trying to expose the flaws in the system have no idea about these conditions, what chance do those under pressure to deny benefits have of getting it right?

[@SueMead]

Fibromyalgia is a catch all name for disabilities and health issues that don't fit within a specific and readily diagnosed syndrome, such as multiple sclerosis or SLE (lupus). It doesn't mean it's not a serious disorder but it is very difficult to define it. One big problem is that it can vary significantly from day-to-day.

[@RobertLaverickD226474D]

AA Amyloidosis perchance?

[@ambyrmiller7843]

I javw fibromyalgia. It haa nothing to do with the joints really. .. another fibro sufferer I know describes it as "arthritis of the nerves" as it affects the body's interpretation and ability to cope with pain.

[@normathomas8830]

Ambyr Miller many who have fibromyalgia have hypermobilty as another related illness I know I have it

[@starlaeuropa]

It's true that fibro is fairly common amongst those with EDS, and many have a dual diagnosis - but they are also two very different conditions, which affect patients in different ways, and this should be taken into account by the DWP (but in many cases, it isn't).

[@MartenFerret]

My first job was moving an empty cardboard box. I was no-excuses about it--worked more hours than anyone. Soon, I was promoted to moving a cardboard box with a string in it! Now I live debt-free and own a nice (but humble) 2-bedroom home. If I can do it, so can you!

[@GenerationTruth57]

We know how you feel. it's disgusting the way that we're been treat, and there's people that claim it for no reason.. and it's why it has come to this, and the people that DO actually need it like us are been ill-treated and losing our benefits.

[@sagenueve1429]

Is pretty much the same in USA. My husband was almost killed at work. The "AtOS" equal assessments are ongoing. He's had many hearings. In pain everyday. Doctor operated on healthy bone, thus exasperated his injury and created more. Lawyers get rich. It's a racket. For people to profit on people's illness/disability is wrong. NO one should suffer.

[@candicerobinson8480]

It seems to me that the only people that would be deemed unfit to work would actually be deceased.

[@MrOnionterror]

I have to take my mum to one of these every year. She had a series of heart attacks and cardiac arrests, spent 6 weeks in hospital and has a pacemaker. Despite her condition being degenerative, and her heart working at less than 20% efficiency she is called in to justify her benefits, which means having her payments stopped for at least four weeks while they check her out. Does all this do her heart any good? No.

[@annemariemachla7382]

hes a liar cameron all the taxes goes to their frigging 2.5 million pads

[@ChaosHusky]

I've had the more severe end of this crap.. 6 different assessments within 3 years, found fit to work whilst being considered disabled by all my support workers, CPN, doctors and psychiatrist (Bipolar disorder, on meds for this, asperger syndrome/autistic spectrum, arthritis in most major joints and fibromyalgia! money was stopped and all sorts of things, had to mess around appealing and getting mandatory reconsiderations, etc etc.. Ridiculous! Then just as they all leave me alone, the council starts...

[@valeriegordon3000]

Fibromyalgia has nothing to do with your joints dislocating, lmao.

[@janetothen2583]

Its obviously how it affects her but most its sever pain and fatigue in the 3people i know with it.

[@blessinggoodthings3124]

Valerie Gordon it’s a debilitating condition.

[@tvaholicsquidney]

@@hovismilan8679 one dr told me that dr's diagnose people with fibro just to discharge them, that most people don't take fibro seriously, I think I'd refuse a diagnose of fibro since I know why I'm in pain

[@evelynkrull5268]

I have fibro and I agree. It's an overload of nerve activity causing widespread and widely varied pain. I hope she got a better diagnosis, sounds like someone wanted to kick her out of office. Sound like a mixed connective tissue disorder or EDS?

[@bethanymay7720]

My mum has fibromyalgia and never once dislocated a bone. That’s more EDS or osteoporosis

[@craiggilchrist4223]

Serious word games going on here. Ive been there, Was on ESA after I suffered a breakdown. Worked all my life and things just got on top of me. The system stinks, they dont recognize mental health issues. I was made to do various exercises in the medical, all physical tests to see if I can work. I was humiliated and just broke down in tears. There was no compassion and it was almost droid like. I failed the medical and appealed. My appeal was turned down and I took a turn for the worst. My confidence was blown apart and im still suffering but get by. Held many positions in work places. Working for Sony Playstation as one of 4 Official UK Distributors and worked with many bluechip companies doing Business Development. The system crippled my personality and my faith in others.

[@theblakkbutterfly]

Do they have any disabled people helping to work on these requirements? Cause these assessments all seem to be created by abled people. If they had a disabled person/people perspective AND included their GP's assessment, they might have this thing sorted. Otherwise, this is a whole mess SMH

[@AnnabelleAstoria]

There are lots of bogus claimants in Australia and quite a few doctors who are happy to do the paper work to perpetuate the problem. We need these assessments in this country.

[@555555345]

I cough up blood too , I told ATOS this but in my report they said I had no lung problems .

[@jackcro8825]

I have not worked or lived in the UK for 40 years but when I return home every 2 years I know 2 people who are faking it for the last 25 years and both of them are proud of getting away with even one of the wife’s wanted to give me advice to help me retire early by abusing the system.

[@caseyvee4419]

I am in the U.S., so only part of this applies here, but here is the problem: with "work at will" laws here which pretty much say an employer can fire you for anything or nothing, it is very difficult to get a job with even a partial disability. If you are over 60, they don't want to hire you just because of age even if you are healthy! I have a neurological disorder which results in in seizures on a regular basis, and limited use of my right hand as an ongoing thing. IF someone would permit me to work with those conditions, and not fire me about the 2nd time I phone in because I had a seizure and won't be able to walk for a few hours, I would be very interested in getting back to work since what I draw on disability is pathetic and almost any job would pay more. As it is, I am forced to remain on disability. I am now so close to fulll retirement age that it is almost irrelevant, but I have been throuhg this system, and it is screwed up. Best option I can see would be a program for big employers to get incentives from the government for hiring people with disabilities if the employers have work which the disabled can do. As it is, employers have utterly no reason to hire a person with even partial or part time disabilities, when they can hire a "whole" person for the same price.

[@MrOnionterror]

After a stressful career as a teacher, my mum had a number of cardiac arrests and her heart capacity is now 16%. This severely limits her ability to get around and is not going to improve. She has been on ESA for a couple of years but three weeks ago was turned down after an assessment. Her benefits had been stopped beforehand. She is going to appeal and will get the benefits backdated if she wins but the appeal process is very long- a friend with a similar problem had to wait 17 months from rejection to appeal. I'll do what I can to help financially but I have no idea how we'll manage. Like most people my mum wants to work, and feels guilty for claiming benefits, but I'm worried that the stress of going through all this again will actually kill her this time.

[@lorenniwa1984]

This is so sad and could happen to any one of us in a blink of an eye. What I pursue has got to work....I would hate to be dictated too just to be able to survive

[@Heideberry]

I traveled to the nearest city, had the ESA assesment and I made it clear how severe my I.B.S, joint pain and depression was but I failed the assesment. Even though the pressure of regular shift work stresses me out and I have panic attacks. I have a part time job now and can't cope with the pressure of being forced into work that I'm not good at. I don't sleep well and before work, I struggle to sleep as I get anxious.

[@jackson2009ify]

No, some can't work...

[@suilvenmountain2395]

and many won't

[@AuroraBlood]

Fibromyalgia is not a joint dislocation disease. It is a complex soft tissue/joint pain disease.

[@HippyJohnWales]

Where are the Jobs?

[@jcbairmaster73]

Funny how the Poles,Latvians and Ukrainians keep finding them then innit?

[@silver760]

jcbairmaster73 They live 20 to a house and send most of the money home.In latvia your £ buys you ten times or more what it could ever do in the UK.So their laughing,they do 6 months at a time on minimum wage (Paying no tax or NI) and within three years they have paid for their 3 bed detached latvian home on 5 acres of land while also supporting the other three+ members of their family.A single person on minimum wage in the UK can't even afford a bedsit.

[@MegaPianogenius]

thats what i keep saying its obvious but people dont want to know

[@kouldbanyone4983]

Given to cheap imported labour, or off-shored to India, and the Philippines.

[@sineadcampbell5147]

John O'Connell eastern Europeans seem to be working for a pittance. Govt maybe needs to monitor these employees who are filling the jobs with underpaying folk.

[@ghostymon]

This happened to my mum . She had to go tribunal. But we had to live months with no money and struggling it was hard.