Tougher work tests for disabled

[Taf]

Fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for disability benefits for being unable to work, after a new test is introduced from next year.

The new work capability assessment is being introduced alongside the employment support allowance - which will replace incapacity benefits for new claimants from next autumn.

At the moment more than 60% of the people who apply for incapacity benefits are successful, but only 50% of people who take the new test are likely to pass it.

Those who fail will be expected to seek work.

It is estimated that some 250,000 people claim £600m in benefits for stress-related illness, while the 2,000 who are too obese to work claim £4.4m.

Tests such as being able to walk more than 400 metres (437 yards) or being able to climb 12 steps without the aid of a banister would be abolished.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7101106.stm

Alright, someone might be able to operate a keyboard and mouse, but how are they going to get to and from their workplace if they have severe mobilty problems? And whilst there they fail the Health and Safety rules regarding being able to evacuate in case of fire?

Trim the bone-idle, yes, but this test doesn't do that, it just assumes the person is mobile enough to get to the workplace in the first instance, then is able to understand the tasks involved once there.

[Lisa]

it also doesn't fully take into accoutn mental illness..

[Taf]

Definately.... many of those on Disabled Living Allowance used to move onto Disabled Working Allowance if they could do some work but with supervision, constant or frequent, and mobility assistance constant of frequent. At home, and to and from work, they still required a Carer, and this was recognised.

This new regime removes the Carer requirement outside the home, and makes it easy for HMG to remove it altogether, even though it is still needed.

This is Brown "protecting the most vunerable in society" 

[Taf]

One thing I agree on though is stopping the free ride for those who think that by getting fat by sloth and overeating, they are unable to work.

Also there is a media campaign at the moment telling people with bad backs not to rest, but to exercise..... doctors are up in arms about it, but cannot stop the government adverts. Minor damage can become major is not properly cared-for... and that often includes a period or rest/immobility to let the body recover.

Medical decisons are to be overturned by these tests....

[AdmiralSirJohn]

One thing I agree on though is stopping the free ride for those who think that by getting fat by sloth and overeating, they are unable to work.

it also doesn't fully take into accoutn mental illness..

Quite right!

Too many people confuse debilitating disorders with simple lazyness.  Sure, there are a lot of commonalities, but that's why competent medical professionals need to be the ones who make the decision. 

It took a psychiatrist to explain the difference to my father...

[dingy]

I get highest rate DLA and severe disablement allowance for severe lupus. Took five years to work my way up to highest rate Got turned down endlessly had to go to a tribunal in the end. The factor that swung it was i went deaf..that tipped the scales because my balance went.

I then employed a carer. She and her husband who hadn't worked for 26 years..bad hip.. went bike riding every week for miles She walked to my house a mile there and back. I asked how he could ride a bike..she said you don't use your hip 

She got highest rate DLA..so did he..he got incapacity They had a new car..not motability..and a caravanette.
They drank like fish went on hols abroad.
This work test will force the genuine cases back to work and the likes of that pair will still milk the system I could type for a living..do IT..how do i get there? What happens when i can't use my hands?
Why don't they start with the baby making machines who spend all day in the pub..guaranteed votes..thats why not.

[Spite]

I then employed a carer. She and her husband who hadn't worked for 26 years..bad hip.. went bike riding every week for miles She walked to my house a mile there and back. I asked how he could ride a bike..she said you don't use your hip 

  To be fair, things affect people in different ways...  I was recently diagnosed with Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis.  I was told I would probably face surgery on my feet, and may need a stick to walk with...  Physiotherapist, off the cuff, and certainly off the record, told me to try and alter the way I walked.  I've always been a bouncy, balls of the feet type of person, so I switched to walking on my heels.  Wasn't easy....  try walking differently...  like trying to breath differently.  Managed it, in the end though, (Although I walk a bit stiff-legged...  Like Frankenstein's Monster, with improved leggage.)  And now, with plenty of exercise, I have very little trouble.  Until recently, I was walking twenty miles a day, several times a week.  My point is, that until I started having problems with my feet, I cycled a great deal.  After however, I found I had a lot of trouble cycling, despite the increased legwork involved in walking, as opposed to cycling.

[Taf]

It is quite common for fanatical cyclists to end up with difficulties walking as different muscle groups are used in different ways. I had a colleague who was a pro-standard cycylist but couldn't walk a mile before collapsing in pain.

[dingy]

I then employed a carer. She and her husband who hadn't worked for 26 years..bad hip.. went bike riding every week for miles She walked to my house a mile there and back. I asked how he could ride a bike..she said you don't use your hip 

  To be fair, things affect people in different ways...  I was recently diagnosed with Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis.  I was told I would probably face surgery on my feet, and may need a stick to walk with...  Physiotherapist, off the cuff, and certainly off the record, told me to try and alter the way I walked.  I've always been a bouncy, balls of the feet type of person, so I switched to walking on my heels.  Wasn't easy....  try walking differently...  like trying to breath differently.  Managed it, in the end though, (Although I walk a bit stiff-legged...  Like Frankenstein's Monster, with improved leggage.)  And now, with plenty of exercise, I have very little trouble.  Until recently, I was walking twenty miles a day, several times a week.  My point is, that until I started having problems with my feet, I cycled a great deal.  After however, I found I had a lot of trouble cycling, despite the increased legwork involved in walking, as opposed to cycling.

Maybe I should clarify...(engage brain before commencing typing girl) .this guy was in a car accident..long before he met her He had to have steel pins in his hips Apparently had them in over 20  years. He started cycling when he started on benefits. But to give you an idea..she did the decorating..maintained the car..all the DIY jobs.brought him his tea in bed at 6pm before she went out cleaning elsewhere..then he went to sleep till next morning He spent about £50 a week on beer and one day got up to the loo..again from his bed at 2pm..and dropped dead at 46
Not nice. After his death...she found out he has 175k in a bank account under another name from student property he owned that he told no one about, but she got nothing It went to his children from a previous marriage.
I object strongly to jumping through hoops when she was supposedly "virtually unable to walk" and received DLA instantly but did two jobs..and he well..did nothing..except 4 mile bike rides. I can't do that!

last time i got out of the car..with the balance probs..a copper threatened to give me a breath test

Spite, that sounds nasty I haven't heard of that one. I have to do exercises for my balance but it involves making yourself extremely dizzy so the brain gets retrained..and its scary..plus would you believe, the only place they have a dedicated centre with the equipment..is in central london..They tried every consultant in Yorkshire..no one has a clue..so i see two docs down there..expensive!