People who used to receive disability benefits are reassessed by the infamous multinational company ATOS Health to see whether they can continues to receive these benefits or whether they are deemed 'fit to work'. The assessments are carried out by 'Health professionals' who may or may not be doctors but who are not required to have any specialised knowledge about the claimant's condition or disability. They ignore letters or other evidence from the claimant's GP, Hospital Consultant or other specialist. They use computer generated checklists and their aim appears to be to get as many claimants as possible off Employment Support Allowance and on to the lower Job Seekers Allowance, which can in turn be taken away from people who are not considered to be trying hard enough to find a job.
Understandably there is a high level of anxiety about these assessments. Ellenor Hutson is a specialist benefits adviser and will be running a workshop next week to provide people with an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation to themselves, gain advice and support and feel empowered.
The workshop is on Thursrday October 20th at Foresters Hall (adjoining Tricycle Theatre)
269 Kilburn High Rd NW6 7JH
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