yahoo!! straight into the support group!!

I used the write to them site and it got me a reply. I had already written three times to my new MP who didn't reply, but did from my letter to him on the write to them site but it's not good news. It's just the same old party line, here's what he said.

"Welfare Reform

Thank you for your email dated 22nd September 2011

With regards to the welfare reforms that are in the process of taking place many of those on disability benefit have never been medically assessed. Indeed, the Coalition Government has worked hard to get the Work Capability Assessment right and ensure that it is not about ticking boxes but about helping people get into work and not abandoning them on incapacity benefits.

At the same time those who are unable to work and on low income will receive both a better care package and an increase in benfit to ensure they are well looked after. I want to assure you that those who are genuinely sick, disabled or retired have nothing to fear. This Government does not regard caring for those in need as a burden, but as a proud duty.

I hope this eases your concern, however, please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any other queries."

He didn't even sign the letter but a minion did.

Like the way he refers to 'the retired' as having nothing to fear. Same old rubbish from the same nasty policies. I am trying to contain my disappoinment (and anger at this 'political line' response) to reply.

This is a conservative MP and the letter is written as they typed it, hardly any punctuation.

I am dreading my form going in, I really am.

Silver Shadow wrote:

I had already written three times to my new MP who didn't reply, but did from my letter to him on the write to them site but it's not good news. It's just the same old party line...

You don't say why you wrote to him - obviously there are some things outside the scope of an MP's intervention.

But when someone has a degenerative disease or is terminally ill and is being harrassed by repeated WCAs, any half-decent MP should offer to intervene with ATOS.

If at all possible, rather than write, you should turn up at his surgery so that he can see the genuineness on your concern and will be much less likely to fob you off with a standard reply.

MPs get hundreds of Emails - [mod edit] and it's always best to deal with them face to face.

Whatever the outcome, at least he will have been made aware of the terrible stress and suffering that these endlessly repeated WCAs are causing to people who already have more than enough to contend with.

I phoned my MP directly. I spoke to his secretary yesterday and have had a draft letter of support sent to my email address to check if i agree with his wording.
sue

I wrote to him asking him to stop the WCA becoming 12 month time limited. The point I was making is that he has never responded to any other letters I had sent but he did respond through the write to them site.

Just had another reply, pretty much the same as the last but the last paragraph says he will take up the cases of any consituents, including me, who feel they are unfairly treated during the assessment phase. Interesting as I have not mentioned I was disabled to him at all.

I have difficuty geting out and about so would have to try turning up at his office now he's said he would help.

ESA50 sent in today, so I now have to wait to see what happens next.

Best of luck Silvershadow and don't worry if you don't hear back from them for weeks!

Thanks Fedup. I am on pins waiting for the dreaded phone call. I did ring the jobcentre plus people to tell them my form went back and they said they'd put it on record, so at least they know it's gone back. I thought they rang after a few days, so thanks for letting me know about the length of time it may take.