"Imagine how much worse it would be for somebody who lacks my default levels of self-assurance and confidence; who maybe doesn’t know the intricacies of their medical condition as well as I do; who finds interviews stressful and intimidating?"
This is a very important observation.
I try to remember this: eloquence is a type of power that I possess, therefore it's incumbent upon me to speak, not just for myself but also on behalf of those who don't have the same power to clearly articulate things. That's just one of the reasons why your writing this Substack matters so much: you're speaking not only for yourself but on behalf of all the people who are in positions similar to yours, but without your eloquence and confidence.
Oof. It’s so dreadful, and also- none of this is surprising unfortunately, given the dire state we’re in nationally. I have friends and family also subject to the cruelty of the welfare state. The cruelty is the point. I hope things will change. I think as a country we’re past the point now where the idea of “benefits scroungers” is accepted by the general populous - because in one way or another, a large proportion of the population have become subject to this treatment - whether through lack of social care, lack of timely health care interventions, or simply lack of affordable childcare (who’d have thought legislating for provision but not taking steps to ensure it’s actually available wouldn’t be wholly successful..?). I’ve had two people very close to me go through experiences with DWP having to appeal their entitlement. One with a PIP - like you, he’s articulate and able to engage with the system better than average but even he struggled with months of oppressive bureaucracy before he was able to get before the tribunal to have his rights upheld. The other - a teacher signed off with significant mental health issues - was initially denied support benefits because when the assessor called, and the opening was “hello how are you?” the person replied with the standard greeting “fine thank you” and was so assessed as not suffering any ill health. Seriously. The only conclusion is that like insurance claims they know that if they deny as a first step many people won’t bother to appeal further because they lack the knowledge, time, resources and perseverance to enforce their entitlement. But this is not private business. This is rightful protection of the vulnerable in a civilised society. We all know that the public finances are supposedly dire. But let’s put this in perspective- we’re the 6th largest economy in the world and substantially smaller ones manage a better level of provision. Incidentally I think something like 80% of appeals against DWP decisions are eventually upheld.
I continue to read your posts with great interest and compassion, even though I don't always respond. Last week's post in particular hit me hard but I couldn't articulate my thoughts well enough to write back without the typed version of sputtering. Although I live in the US, I have my own experiences on the insanity of the "health care" system and its complete arbitrariness. I'm grateful I have good insurance since my own health issues last year would have wiped out more than our savings; the surgery alone cost some ridiculous amount of money much less all the other treatments. Recently I got a bill for $79 dollars with no explanation; last month I received a check for $90 with no explanation. Someone in some office somewhere throws a dart at a dartboard and then we do whatever it says on the spot where it lands.
All this to say: I continue to despair at what society seems to value (and thus financially support) and the short-term thinking of the policies that are put in place. Your example of the cushion is a great example: paying for the correct cushion is not only to keep you comfortably supported and seated but is medically necessary to prevent negative health concerns down the road. But trying to get one requires a lot of time and effort rather than being a simple matter of long-term thinking. I work in the "disability field" with children and families and the rigamarole that some families have to go through to get appropriate services would break hearts and spirits. I try not to give in to conspiracy theories but I can't help but think that some of the roadblocks are designed that way (read Matthew Desmond's excellent book "Poverty, By America" for some excellent examples).
Despite all this, I remain stubborn and ornery and tenacious and argumentative. But it sure is exhausting.
PIP is awful. They assume you are lying and force you to go through stage after stage of appeals. They did not record the interview as requested. The notes of the interview was completely different to what actually occurred. The outcome was negative and based on nothing I actually wrote or said.
I am furious after paying taxes for 30 years, the one year I needed it I could not get it. Fuming.
With you on this as appalling purely because of the system put in placed by an inept government that assumes we are all freeloaders and lying if cannot work. Do not be surprised if they class you as fit and you have to go through appeals!
Thank You for raising awareness and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with these issues, Paul. Just reading about the guy who was given a manual wheelchair who now cannot even navigate around his own home without carers- dreadful. Surely it would be more cost effective, never mind far more humane, to provide the proper type of chair for people. And the letter sent to your home, I mean, the system needs an overhaul and funding. All best wishes- H
Good luck with your PIP payment. There are plans at the moment to bring a tiered payment system into Ireland, and given what it is like in the UK, I can see why people are mistrustful of the idea.
"Imagine how much worse it would be for somebody who lacks my default levels of self-assurance and confidence; who maybe doesn’t know the intricacies of their medical condition as well as I do; who finds interviews stressful and intimidating?"
This is a very important observation.
I try to remember this: eloquence is a type of power that I possess, therefore it's incumbent upon me to speak, not just for myself but also on behalf of those who don't have the same power to clearly articulate things. That's just one of the reasons why your writing this Substack matters so much: you're speaking not only for yourself but on behalf of all the people who are in positions similar to yours, but without your eloquence and confidence.
Oof. It’s so dreadful, and also- none of this is surprising unfortunately, given the dire state we’re in nationally. I have friends and family also subject to the cruelty of the welfare state. The cruelty is the point. I hope things will change. I think as a country we’re past the point now where the idea of “benefits scroungers” is accepted by the general populous - because in one way or another, a large proportion of the population have become subject to this treatment - whether through lack of social care, lack of timely health care interventions, or simply lack of affordable childcare (who’d have thought legislating for provision but not taking steps to ensure it’s actually available wouldn’t be wholly successful..?). I’ve had two people very close to me go through experiences with DWP having to appeal their entitlement. One with a PIP - like you, he’s articulate and able to engage with the system better than average but even he struggled with months of oppressive bureaucracy before he was able to get before the tribunal to have his rights upheld. The other - a teacher signed off with significant mental health issues - was initially denied support benefits because when the assessor called, and the opening was “hello how are you?” the person replied with the standard greeting “fine thank you” and was so assessed as not suffering any ill health. Seriously. The only conclusion is that like insurance claims they know that if they deny as a first step many people won’t bother to appeal further because they lack the knowledge, time, resources and perseverance to enforce their entitlement. But this is not private business. This is rightful protection of the vulnerable in a civilised society. We all know that the public finances are supposedly dire. But let’s put this in perspective- we’re the 6th largest economy in the world and substantially smaller ones manage a better level of provision. Incidentally I think something like 80% of appeals against DWP decisions are eventually upheld.
Sorry got that stat a bit wrong - it’s here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-statistics-to-october-2023/personal-independence-payment-official-statistics-to-october-2023#:~:text=70%25%20of%20the%20DWP%20decisions,overturned%20at%20a%20tribunal%20hearing
I continue to read your posts with great interest and compassion, even though I don't always respond. Last week's post in particular hit me hard but I couldn't articulate my thoughts well enough to write back without the typed version of sputtering. Although I live in the US, I have my own experiences on the insanity of the "health care" system and its complete arbitrariness. I'm grateful I have good insurance since my own health issues last year would have wiped out more than our savings; the surgery alone cost some ridiculous amount of money much less all the other treatments. Recently I got a bill for $79 dollars with no explanation; last month I received a check for $90 with no explanation. Someone in some office somewhere throws a dart at a dartboard and then we do whatever it says on the spot where it lands.
All this to say: I continue to despair at what society seems to value (and thus financially support) and the short-term thinking of the policies that are put in place. Your example of the cushion is a great example: paying for the correct cushion is not only to keep you comfortably supported and seated but is medically necessary to prevent negative health concerns down the road. But trying to get one requires a lot of time and effort rather than being a simple matter of long-term thinking. I work in the "disability field" with children and families and the rigamarole that some families have to go through to get appropriate services would break hearts and spirits. I try not to give in to conspiracy theories but I can't help but think that some of the roadblocks are designed that way (read Matthew Desmond's excellent book "Poverty, By America" for some excellent examples).
Despite all this, I remain stubborn and ornery and tenacious and argumentative. But it sure is exhausting.
I have a friend living in a similar situation.
PIP is awful. They assume you are lying and force you to go through stage after stage of appeals. They did not record the interview as requested. The notes of the interview was completely different to what actually occurred. The outcome was negative and based on nothing I actually wrote or said.
I am furious after paying taxes for 30 years, the one year I needed it I could not get it. Fuming.
With you on this as appalling purely because of the system put in placed by an inept government that assumes we are all freeloaders and lying if cannot work. Do not be surprised if they class you as fit and you have to go through appeals!
Thank You for raising awareness and I’m sorry you’re having to deal with these issues, Paul. Just reading about the guy who was given a manual wheelchair who now cannot even navigate around his own home without carers- dreadful. Surely it would be more cost effective, never mind far more humane, to provide the proper type of chair for people. And the letter sent to your home, I mean, the system needs an overhaul and funding. All best wishes- H
Good luck with your PIP payment. There are plans at the moment to bring a tiered payment system into Ireland, and given what it is like in the UK, I can see why people are mistrustful of the idea.
“…was a pretty pleasant one to subside in.”
Did you mean “reside”?