Mum's fury at benefit refusal

[newshound]

A mum from Northamptonshire scored zero points on the Government's sickness benefit assessment despite having at least eight different medical problems including kidney failure.

This story, which may come as a shock to those not used to either hearing about, or experiencing unfair medicals, has been reported in several newspapers.
What comes as a shock to us, is the fact it has been reported, usually papers concentrate on benefit cheats and you dont get to read the stories like these,
we would like to congratulate every media source that has reported this story, and hope you continue to publish these stories, in order that people get a fairer picture of what actually goes on

Sources: (that we know of)

• Northants Evening Telegraph
• Northhampton Evening Chronicle and Echo
• Driffield Post/Times
• Teletext
• Arbroath Herald
• Portadown Times
• Antrim Times
  

Her full list of medical complaints are reported to include

• Being insulin-dependent for the last 36 years
• having sight problems which needed laser treatment on both eyes and needing iron injections for anaemia.
• The nerve endings in her hands and feet are damaged by the diabetes, leading to loss of feeling and mobility in both.
• and bones in her ankles are fused together, meaning she cannot walk properly.
• Failing kidneys which means she will soon need dialysis or a donated kidney and the possibility that her pancreas may need to be replaced.
• She also has osteoporosis.

Yet she score 0 points on the ESA test, and it is reported she is not elligible for ESA or Incapacity Benefit.

As usual the DWP reply is the standard style reply, which is of no comfort to anyone in that situation, and does not address the issue over why people are experiencing issues such as this. Its a reason why LIMA should be released....

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: "Eligibility for ESA is based on a Work Capability Assessment, which is carried out by a healthcare professional.

"If people disagree with a decision, they have the right to appeal," the spokesperson added.

[terratech]

Over at RightsNet Forum you can feel the frustration but do you laugh or cry, in this forum a person loses their ESA because they own Guinea pigs. The same professional who gave this person 0 points then went on;

The same healthcare professional (a GP) who thought ownership of a guinea pig was so important considered another clients mental health had no relevance at all (0 points).

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=4221&mesg_id=4221&page=


Are they on commision?