ESA nonsense

[Scally]

I recently had to re-apply for benefits for my son, as he is moving from the childrens benefit system to the adult system of employment-related benefits. So I had to send them "proof" of his having DS, which I did, with a letter written when he was a couple of weeks old, by his paediatrician, confirming the results of tests, and a recent recall for thyroid testing from the associate specialist. Plus a pile of educational assessment forms to show that he would need a lot of extra help if they can find him a job.

Anyway, the stupid %^&*$s at the Department of Work and Pensions have asked for a MED3 form to be filled in by his GP stating that he has still got DS with effect from the 15th January 2011 !! The mind boggles, it really does. Have you encountered any other similarly nonsensical bureaucratic procedures?

[rabidrabbit]

My sister still gets Severe Disablement Allowance and I have, until this year, had to supply a sick note stating she still has Downs Syndrome! A couple of years ago a stupid jobsworth Dutch GP we had, refused to give me one because she hasn't had a blood chromosome test- I did my f***ing nut. The stupid asshhole wanted to put my poor sister, who quite obviously has Downs, thru the pain of a blood test because she looked so young and all Downs people looked yuk when they get older according to him. I got a sick note off him after I told him his horoscope which wasn't good. He handed in his notice a couple of weeks later! I have had apologies from subsequent GPs but my blood still boils when I think of the indignity of it all considering all the the doctors she has seen in her life. I was going to make an official complaint about our Dr Mengele but he has gone never to return so it didn't seem worth the effort. I didn't get a reminder for a sick note this year but the money is still going in- instead I got a letter saying that her benefits may change in the future either increasing or decreasing depending on her circumstances . I think we all know what that means.

[Guest]

I have heard too many of these stories and had enough dealings with the DWP recently not to be in the least bit surprised. I suspect that having dropped out of school is high on the list of essential qualifications for DWP employees .

[Lazydaisy]

We have been asked that several times over the years.It seems to be such a common problem,it is very offensive to families.
I did have an apology at one time, as I did lodge an official complaint,to the DSS or whoever they were at the time.
That is even worse, that a Dr should be so ignorant, Dragonlady.

[Lazydaisy]

By the way Scally, we have been told that people with Downs Syndrome should have their thyroids tested every 12 months, my son used to through school,now done when he has his diabetes appointments.

[Sparklingtechie]

I recently had to re-apply for benefits for my son, as he is moving from the childrens benefit system to the adult system of employment-related benefits. So I had to send them "proof" of his having DS, which I did, with a letter written when he was a couple of weeks old, by his paediatrician, confirming the results of tests, and a recent recall for thyroid testing from the associate specialist. Plus a pile of educational assessment forms to show that he would need a lot of extra help if they can find him a job.

Anyway, the stupid %^&*$s at the Department of Work and Pensions have asked for a MED3 form to be filled in by his GP stating that he has still got DS with effect from the 15th January 2011 !! The mind boggles, it really does. Have you encountered any other similarly nonsensical bureaucratic procedures?

Ok during the last couple of school statementings you should have had someone from connections be there. They take over child stuff for statementing etc and this sort of stuff until the child is 25. I only have the Oxfordshire phone number, perhpas they could give you a contact in your local area? 01865 815144.

[Nilla]

The last time I had to re-apply for Sars DLA they sent me the renewal forms asking if she still had Downs Syndrome When I sent the forms back I put in an essay on how different she is and to the person who asked if she still had Downs if they could tell me abolut a magical cure thewy must know about could I have the name of it!
She got the award indefinate but we now know that will all change.

[Scally]

Its farcical, isn't it, what a waste of public funds and professional time must go into all this form-filling. Yes, we do the annual thryroid check here too, but never a problem, so far, touch wood. In fact the only reason my lad sees his GP is teenage spots: he doesn't have any specific medical issues related to DS so the GP never sees him. So why do they think he gets a referral from the Downs Sydrome Thryroid Screening service, I wonder - I mean what more evidence do you need? I would hate to work in a semi-mindless box-ticking job like that, the staff aren't actually stupid, they know it is all a waste of time when you talk to them about it, but they have to go through the motions.

[Melly1]

We've had similiar with S and his autism ... what bit of "life-long condition" do they not understand ....????

Melly1

[ladybird]

Ah yes, memories...I had much fun and games with the ESA approx two years ago and I fought them all the way over every piece of bureaucratic bullcack they came out with.

The initial starting point was the request for a "sick note"..as ESA is for "sick or disabled" we had a 6 week fight over that little gem as I do not consider my daughter's condition to be an illness (health probs weren't as serious then) and therefore to ask the GP to sign a sick note would be fraud.
Would they accept a medical letter from her Endocrinologist stating she had Prader-Willi Syndrome? "Oh no, it has to be a sick note." Why? Prader-Willi is a lifelong disability "Erm..because it's the rules" But you are asking me to commit fraud, also my GP! "Oh no we're not" Oh yes you are...etc etc.

That was just the start of it, at one point I even added my own little tick boxes on the questionnaire for ESA as they did not provide the option that we needed.

Drove the buggers mad in the end

Seriously, it is a farce. Common sense does not come into it at all, a lifelong condition is a lifelong condition, it is not something that is simply going to disappear overnight!

I feel very strongly about ESA and how people are assessed and dealt with, it is corrupt and the doctors that work for Atos who carry out the medicals are obviously bowing to governmental demands (both this and the previous government) and lying to meet quotas.

I have found staff from DWP generally kind but their hands are tied by this nonsensical demands that have to be made..the whole thing is ridiculous.