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DWP failing the Autism communtiy

outraged

I have just heard from an aquantance. He has an Aspergers diagnosis but I think HFA would be more accurate. He has been transfered from ESA to jobseekers with "special consideration" and immediately sanctioned for failing to attend. He was told he would not be paid even hardship allowance (approx £30/week) for the first half of his sanction as he is not considered a "vulnerable person" so has to survive fifteen days without any income!

He is now starving and reliant on myself and other members of a local support group giving him foodstuffs, causing significant damage to his self-esteem and making him depressed.

The voucher that should have entitled him to a weeks supply of foodstuffs was filled with significantly less than what the NTs were recieving, specifically: 500g pasta, 500g rice, 1 bag generic cornflakes, 1kg sugar, 4 cans generic baked beans...as a weeks food!! The jobcenter cannot be allowed to deny benefit to persons with ASVs whereas the only provision for nutrition is based on a persons ability to elict empathy from a volunteer in competition with a bunch of NTs... 

If you agree that the DWP continues to fail our community, and that NAS should take a stronger stance with this governmental department, then please indicate such below. There will be no change untill we demand it.

  • Were going to be looking at another genocide soon. I heard someone on the street the other day say: "they should take them all away somewhere..."

    Our people attract hatred beyond reason.

  • There will certainly be no change without a demand for change, but I don't see any reasonable prospect of change even if it is demanded.  We're easy targets.  At the risk of invoking Godwin, Adolf started with the 'defective' as an unnecessary expense and nobody batted an eyelid.

  • The DWP is failing every person with a genuine disability.

    It's a very strange situation, you can't say I have "x" disability any more and be eligible for your benifit. You have to say I have "x" disability and it effects me in several kinds of ways. Basically it has to be threatening to your existence. 

    However you can present all of the symptoms (thats are very dangerous to your welfare), but unless you get a diagnosis too it means nothing.

    Very bizarre situation we live in. I think that government persecution has strangely become acceptable. 

    PS I'm really sorry I can't help.

  • Hi Outraged, our welfare adviser has mentioned that if the decision to stop ESA was recent your friend should consider challenging that decision, more info here -

    www.autism.org.uk/.../benefit-appeals.aspx .

     

     I'd still very much encourage them to make an appointment with our adviser. Our policy team have said;

    "It is clear that the benefits system often fails to meet the needs of people with autism. Just last year the Court of Appeal recognised that it disadvantages people with autism, mental health problems and learning disabilities.

    The NAS consistently raises the needs of people with autism to the Department of Work and Pensions, particularly in relation to Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, as well as conditionality and sanctions. It is important for the DWP to understand how a person’s disability can impact on their understanding of rules and to consider what adjustments should be made so that people with autism are not unfairly punished."

  • Sorry to read about your friend's situation outraged. I'm passing this onto our helpline and campaigns team for a response. I'd encourage your friend to contact our welfare rights service also - www.autism.org.uk/welfarerights

  • longman said:

    It seems still quite common for local staff at DWP to make decisions of their own, based on whether they like a person or not. The organisation is riddled with petty tyrants and bullies who abuse their position.

    Is not the act of making an official descision based on personal reasons tantamount to benefit fraud?  

    If you agree that the DWP continues to fail our community, and that NAS should take a stronger stance with this governmental department, then please indicate such below. There will be no change untill we demand it.

  • It seems still quite common for local staff at DWP to make decisions of their own, based on whether they like a person or not. The organisation is riddled with petty tyrants and bullies who abuse their position.

    In situations like this you have to appeal against the decision. They will probably come back with concessions if you withdraw the appeal request, but when that happens you need to stick with it. Breaches like this have to be pursued to the furtherest extent to prevent others being similarly abused.

    It is undoubtedly to a significant extent due to the Government's austere measures regarding disability suupport, but when you get unusual decisions like this one, the likely cause is the pitiful dross that DWP recruits as staff.