Tag Archives: Department for Work and Pensions

Hurdles

Posted on March 31, 2017 by purplepersuasion

I’m not sure what I am writing here, or why am writing here, other than because I feel awful. I just need to let it out, I suppose. In an ideal world I would have an on-going relationship with a therapist, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Depression, Medication, Mental health, Mood disorder, Rapid cycling, Self-management, Suicidal thought, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Hurdles

Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

Posted on October 31, 2016 by purplepersuasion

So I filled in an ESA50 last week and was reminded afresh what a terrible form it is. Yes, we all know it’s terrible, a terrible form for a terrible benefit in a terrible system. It’s not designed to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment and benefits, Mental health, mental health debate, Mood disorder, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Fitness for work – the real life questions the system never asks

No desk to call my own: who exactly has “poverty of aspiration” round here?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by purplepersuasion

Another day, another story about the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) “workfare” schemes, where people are made to work at any old job for their state benefits, rather than being paid a wage. We already knew that forcing people … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Bipolar, Employment and benefits | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

It’s official – the WCA is unfair

Posted on May 22, 2013 by purplepersuasion

Today, three judges at a tribunal equivalent to the High Court ruled that certain aspects of the process of applying for ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), including attendance at the WCA (Work Capability Assessment), were unfair to people with serious … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

I appealed – and I won!

Posted on December 13, 2012 by purplepersuasion

Apparently, I did it! I challenged Atos’ decision that I merited nil points at Work Capability Assessment and I won. The information provided has apparently taken me from the zero points awarded by the Health Care Professional (HCP) and the decision … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

One degree of separation – there is no “them” and “us”

Posted on September 21, 2012 by purplepersuasion

103,545 people on Facebook like “I hate benefit scrounging work shy bastards.” What separates them from benefit claimants? One event beyond their control. One departmental downsizing One ruptured blood vessel One car accident that you couldn’t prevent One expected baby … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

“And the score from Glasgow is… nil points.”

Posted on September 4, 2012 by purplepersuasion

Yesterday I arrived home from a very difficult time away to find a Department for Work and Pensions decision letter following the painful and humiliating Atos Work Capability Assessment (WCA) I underwent in July. Before I say any more, let’s just … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments