It’s time for action and time for people like me to speak out. Through this blog, I am supporting the National Day of Action against sham Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments which is being held in the UK on Wednesday July 13.
Writing my own Health & Disibility blog allows me the luxury of voicing my opinion – which is that those of us with disabilities of any kind, visible or invisible, should rise up against the tyranny of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). Join in, however you can, on July 13.
So what’s it all about? I’ll let the organisers explain:
The companies contracted by the government’s DWP to carry out assessments, Atos, Maximus and Capita,, are literally making a killing from conducting sham assessments which are seeing thousands of legitimate claimants having their benefits refused, their incomes slashed and their motability cars removed.
While the success rate at tribunal is high, between 50 and 60%, it is taking up to 6 months or longer for cases to be heard – leaving disabled people struggling unnecessarily.
Medical ‘professionals’ usually trained at public expense are deserting the NHS in order to conduct these murderous sham assessments in return for higher rates of pay.
We say that all assessments should be carried out by the treatment teams in the community, and that rather than pouring taxpayer money into the poverty pimp industry, the state should be properly funding the NHS and benefits should meet the needs of all that are eligible. It is time to step up the struggle and to demand that the corporate assessors #DoNoHarm.
There are PIP ‘consultation’ Centres across the country. If you cannot find a protest listed in your town or city, why not set one up. If you decide to do so, please send an email to mail@dpac.net.uk and we will advertise your event and send you a pack to assist with the organising.
This is also a good way to meet others who have had enough and to form resistance in your local area. This day of action has been called jointly by Mental Health Resistance Network, Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and WinVisible – women with visible & invisible disabilities.
50shadesofsun 