I felt a bit guilty when I heard the ruling that the ESA Work
Capability Assessment was unfair to people with mental health problems.
I've recently gone through the same process for depression.
However - unlike the court claimants - I was lucky and spared the much-dreaded
interview, and was fully successful in my claim.
Despite my experience, I wholeheartedly agree that the
process is unfair on people with mental health problems. Here’s why.
I have a Masters in Social Policy, so I know a fair bit
about benefits, and I did my dissertation on mental health, so I’m pretty clued
up about that too. But there was no chance that I would have been able to fill
out the necessary forms without an advice worker helping me over several
sessions.
Fortunately I also happened to have a slew of evidence – GP
notes, psychiatrist reports - from previous desperate (and failed) attempts to
get appropriate housing and treatment. They were not easy to get and I found it
distressing repeating ‘my story’ to stranger after stranger.
I had two advisers from separate organisations tell me that
I should bring someone with me to the Work Capability Assessment interview –
not for moral support, but to take notes due to regular reports of interviewers
just making stuff up and ignoring
evidence given.
Sorry, what? Seriously? Like the process wasn't already
stressful and difficult enough, I also had to ensure I could protect myself
against fraudulent reports made by the government against me. (no, paranoia is
not one of my symptoms, but no prizes for guessing who would win that court case)
Luckily I was spared that misery, but that didn't stop me
fretting about it for weeks.
The whole application was a complete nightmare to pull
together, making my depression worse, when I just wanted to focus on pulling
myself together. Getting better. So I wouldn't have to be on benefits.
Isn't that the point?
