Tag Archives: DWP

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

Dear MP: how to say “no” to a mental health campaign nicely

Posted on August 16, 2013 by purplepersuasion

N.B. The first email in this exchange is automatically generated by the Rethink Mental Illness “MP Capability Assessment” campaign after entering my postcode From: XXXXXX@gmail.com 
Sent: 15 August 2013 14:57 
To: XXX 
Subject: Your MP Capability Assessment interview Dear Mr XXX, Your … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Mental health, Politics and current affairs, Stigma and discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 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

Intimate details: claiming Disability Living Allowance

Posted on February 8, 2012 by purplepersuasion

In my professional life, I have filled in countless benefit claim forms for clients. I have helped people obtain Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans, simply by arguing their case on paper or over … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental health, Politics and current affairs | Tagged , , , , , , | 29 Comments