Trevor's story

"Have been on sick since 1995. Has mental health problems for which he receives treatment. Has hepatitis C, SLPD, ulcerated foot, failed a medical, found fit for work. Didn't know about hepatitis C at first. Doctor signed him off until March but was overridden by company employed by DWP. Now appealed at tribunal and put a new claim in to include Hepatitis C. Told to sign on at Jobseekers, went there and they declared him unfit for work. 
No money since December 3rd.
Received letter to say not entitled to job seekers allowance, 2 days later received a letter to say pleased to tell you you are entitled to JSA £72.00 a week but nothing paid."

Thank you to Trevor for sharing his experience, and thank you to the volunteer who listened and recorded the story on Trevor's behalf.

Fit to Work? Chris's Story

"While he was visiting us recently, Chris told us he has lived rough for the last 9 months. Although his G.P.  assessed him to be unfit for work after he suffered from a second stroke, the DWP deemed that this was not the case. He has begun the appeal process with support from the agency that referred him to us: this involved completing a 52 page document and took over 2 hours. Chris hasn't had any money since mid-December but came to the Foodbank for the first time as he felt he could no longer ask his friends for support."

Our thanks to Chris for sharing this with us. Sadly, his situation is not uncommon. Speaking during the recent Commons debate on Welfare Reform and Poverty, Michael Meacher  MP argued that one contributory factor to rising absolute poverty has been "the way in which tens of thousands of severely disabled persons have been judged by Atos, the French IT company, as fit for work ... when they are patently unfit for work. Very often, their GP has not been consulted to inquire whether there are other factors that need to be taken into account". A report compiling further information regarding work capability assessments can be found here.