The difficulty of disability benefits brain injury Omar

The difficulty of disability benefits & brain injury Omar Shefta Page 1

The 4 problems Page 2 DWP ASSESSORS CLIENT PROFESSIONALS

DWP Page 3

DWP Main aim of welfare benefit changes, reduce spending on benefit payments How; • Take away indefinite awards • Remove lower rates and some additional elements • Tighten the assessment criteria Page 4

DWP Made the assessment process more difficult “A dosette box is not considered an aid” Page 5

DWP Revelation last year that internal document advised decision makers to reject 80% of MRN requests, so as not to undermine assessment process. Page 6

Assessors Page 7

Assessors Page 8

Assessors • Assessors have included; • Physiotherapists • Paramedics • Nurses • But no Neuro-specialists Page 9

Assessors Lack of understanding that recovery only happens to a certain point Are you still seeing the neurology team? Page 10

Assessors Bias; • Deliberate: Own perceptions and views. • Non deliberate: Perpetuated by DWP and assessment provider’s agenda. Limitations of the assessment process; • Time • Information • Responses Page 11

Clients Limited insight into condition and difficulties May believe they are more capable than they may actually be Don’t want to be associated with disability and the stigma around this Page 12

Clients Page 13

Professionals Do we understand the process and criteria? Page 14

Professionals • • • Activity 5. Manual dexterity. 5(a) Cannot press a button (such as a telephone keypad) with either hand or cannot turn the pages of a book with either hand. Score 15 5(b) Cannot pick up a £ 1 coin or equivalent with either hand. Score 15 5(c) Cannot use a pen or pencil to make a meaningful mark. Score 9 5(d) Cannot single-handedly use a suitable keyboard or mouse. Score 9 5(e) None of the above applies. Score 0 Activity 6. Making self understood through speaking, writing, typing, or other means which are normally or could reasonably be used, unaided by another person. 6(a) Cannot convey a simple message, such as the presence of a hazard. Score 15 6(b) Has significant difficulty conveying a simple message to strangers. Score 15 6(c) Has some difficulty conveying a simple message to strangers. Score 6 6(d) None of the above applies. Score 0 Page 15

What can we do… about the DWP? Call out poor practice. Page 16

What can we do… about Assessors? Push for more assessors with greater knowledge of brain injury. Educated those already involved in the process. Challenge poor assessments and reports. April-June 2017, almost 7 out of 10 benefit challenges were successful at Tribunal. Page 17

What can we do… about Clients? Try and prepare for assessments and hearings. Convey that you are not trying to embarrass or belittle them. Help ensure their compliance. Advise relevant agencies of any potential issues at the earliest possible stage. Page 18

What can we do… about Professionals? Make sure we and they understand the system. Challenge and educate. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Page 19

Questions ? Page 20