ATOS and CAPITA accused : Cut Benefits instead of Saving Lives!

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1

Summery:

This is the world we live in, and one that has become worse over the past few years. But what if I told you the reason why there is a severe shortage of paramedics here in the UK is because of ATOS and CAPITA encouraging experienced paramedics to leave their present full time posts and and carry out PIP Assessments. Now, you get the picture why so many disabled people are being denied DLA, PIP and ESA Awards.

The people that you may think are Health Assessors are less educated than a General Practitioner. This is why, you should not get depressed when attending some of these ATOS Assessments and leaving thinking you failed, or becoming depressed. Once you receive that "Brown Envelope" stating you were unsuccessful, Appeal (This is not what ATOS wants you to do, because you are making more work for them), they are getting more appeals now than ever, and it's their own fault for not giving you the time of day in the first place. Don't let them put you down, the antics they are currently using is totally unreasonable.

[Quote from Benefits & Work]

Paramedics in the NHS usually have to train to a degree level, yet salaries range from just £21,478 to £27,901 for the most experienced paramedics. In addition, the job involves a good deal of shift work and unsocial hours.

How ATOS is doing this

ATOS, on the other hand, offer paramedics who join them as full-time PIP assessors a salary of £32,000 plus private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection insurance and no unsocial hours.

[End of Quote]

If you think that is bad enough read this..

Now, the puzzle starts to reveal it self... And, if you think it stops there you would be completely wrong. ATOS is also trying to do Assessments over the phone!!  If this option is offered to you, say "no", because I am unable to an Assessment over the phone!! State you would like a face-to-face interview, do not let talk you out it - remember you have 28 days to appeal, and can ask for a 2 week extension on top to extend this to 6 weeks - this will cause longer delays for ATOS and gives you more time to get your appeal case together.

Needless, to say you will read this in the News Tabloids in a few days.

There is several voting polls on numerous websites for the old, disabled and carers and do they think services have become better over the past 4 years!  I think we all know the answer to that... rolleyes

2

Thanks for this Les; it's good to be informed. I'm having problems with care and DLA.

3

Hi Georgia,

Do you mean Carers Allowance and DLA? Or the Care Component of DLA?

Regards,

Les.

4

People who work with me have said I should be on the higher rate of care, but I'm on the lower rate, and they've stopped me having any carers, very sneakily, behind my back. I'm really struggling to look after myself, and I live alone.

5

Hi Les, 

Apart from the £32,000 etc there is big money somewhere around or why spend £32,000pa plus benefits?

George

6

I have been waiting since 03.06.2014, i called today and there is no timescales just got to wait, while my anxiety goes thru the roof 

Anne

7

Hi George,

There is a lot of money involved, much more than £32,000, multiply it by 1,000 times and you would be getting close!

8

Hi Anne,

3rd March 2014?  That's mad!

Is this your initial claim for DLA? If so it should be dealt with by now, but if you haven't seen the actual facts and DWP then you probably won't know what is going on.

[Quote from Benefits]

Cash before lives

Atos and Capita have not even begun the massive task of assessing millions of existing disability living allowance claimants for PIP as part of the Coalition’s effort to reduce benefits spending. When they do, they will need to take on hundreds more assessors. How many of these will be poached from the NHS?

[End of Quote]

Phoning them will get you nowhere any quicker. From that you can see exactly whats going on, basically a 'standstill'.

I put in an upping claim on DLA Care Component in July, and had to wait until December 2014 for the Award, bearing in mind I was already claiming DLA but Care was on Middle not High Rate.

Regards,

Les.

9

Hi Les, no I am already on DLA had to arrange an extension till they assess me, have been on it for 3.5 years now. Not looking good is it???

Anne 

10

Hi Les,

How did I guess. Six or seven significant zeros always seem to be at the bottom of the public support systems.

George

11

Hi George,

Very true, the trouble is the media do not print the facts or figures, which is why people in this country are waiting for assessments do not know what is really going on. Many are stuck in the 'standstill', while others are getting results within a month.

Basically, it boils down to how the initial application form was filled in, the more detail that was supplied and content relating to your disorder the better, because they have to read it all, and can make the decision without even an interview.

The idea of the phone interview is ridiculous - if the person has communication problems, how are they supposed to do the interview/?

Regards,

Les.

12

Hi Anne,

Let me get this correct:

You are already in receipt of DLA?

And you are on a DLA Award with an expiry date?

Is this correct?

Regards

Les.

13

Hi Georgia,

"You mention that work with you?" do you actually care for people yourself? I am assuming you are on DLA and not PIP, regarding Low and High Rates, because DLA does have a Middle Rate as well.

Who actually provides your care, is this run by a council or private organization, and why would your Care be stopped, was nothing given to you in writing?

Regards,

Les.

14

Thank you Les

Do you remember the Yes Minister episode The Compasionate Society?What a sham. 

Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister are essential political education for non polititions.

15

yes, that is correct. 

16

Me too Anne and Les.