Freuds Information on Welfare Reform to the Lords.

Sorry Mods,

Three on the bounce!!

Found these two links over the weekend :

www.rightsnet.org.uk/?ACT=39&fid=3&aid=1...5rGXHAW7K&board_id=1


www.rightsnet.org.uk/?ACT=39&fid=3&aid=1...96gzJYV7c&board_id=1

All though I'm aware of a lot of this info, I was a bit concerned over something I read on the first link.

Hope Mods can clarify, as I may be misinterpreting it.

Scroll down to page 20, on first link, heading "Appeals".

It seems to state that where as now you can appeal straight away to a decision, and a reconsideration is done automatically.

That they want legislation passed, that a claimant must have a reconsideration, before they can lodge an appeal.

If so doesn't this have negative repercussions, as if someone is deemed fit to work, their ESA is stopped, so they either have to claim JSA, or Appeal to receive ESA Assessment Rate.

Therefore if you have to wait until a reconsideration has taken place, before you can appeal, and are too ill to claim JSA, what money will you get in the interim period.

I know these reforms are not law yet, however what do you think, have I jumped to the wrong conclusion on this.

cheers

bro58.

Hi Bro58

You have understood that correctly. It's in the Welfare Reform Bill; see the thread below.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=13&id=52542#52608

Some MPs at the committee stage have complained that lodging an appeal after an unsuccessful reconsideration is an extra hurdle to obtain justice that some stressed claimants will fall at.

I'm not sure yet what the situation will be regarding claiming ESA at assessment rate.

Regards

Derek

Derek4 wrote:

Hi Bro58

You have understood that correctly. It's in the Welfare Reform Bill; see the thread below.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...id=13&id=52542#52608

Some MPs at the committee stage have complained that lodging an appeal after an unsuccessful reconsideration is an extra hurdle to obtain justice that some stressed claimants will fall at.

I'm not sure yet what the situation will be regarding claiming ESA at assessment rate.



Regards

Derek

Thanks Derek,

I just cannot see an overall benefit to this on cutting back on the number of appeals.

Although, it is another hurdle to jump.

I wondering whether moreover it is to push claimants to claim JSA, where they really are too ill to do so !!!.

If so another total injustice.

Surely, they will have to pay assessment rate ESA in the scenario mentioned, from the date of request of reconsideration, rather than appeal.

On the other hand ANYTHING is possible with "The Cameron Crew"

bro58

Just wondering, if DWP are already implementing changes as to this subject, with reference to this situation?


www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...imit=6&start=6#62338

It does seem curious !!!

bro58

It took some time for DWP decision makers to understand that claimants are entitled to ESA assessment rate while appealing.

I haven't seen anything in the Welfare Reform Bill or heard of any change in policy that allows claimants to keep their benefits when asking for a Review. It wouldn't be consistent with their policy of encouraging claimants to claim JSA following an adverse ESA decision.

Derek4 wrote:

It took some time for DWP decision makers to understand that claimants are entitled to ESA assessment rate while appealing.

I haven't seen anything in the Welfare Reform Bill or heard of any change in policy that allows claimants to keep their benefits when asking for a Review. It wouldn't be consistent with their policy of encouraging claimants to claim JSA following an adverse ESA decision.

Derek,

I suppose Joan could just be getting mixed up a bit, however she seems to think that her money is not effected, even though CAB have only asked for a reconsideration.

As always, we can't assume anything, unless we know all facts.

Never "Assume" it makes an "Ass" of "U" and "ME". Ah the oldies are the besties.

cheers

bro58