“DWP Assessment Left Me Feeling Degraded And Worthless”

A disabled man from Derby sent this letter to his local paper.

IN March this year I was involved in a hit and run accident. Major injury was a smashed right wrist, of which a titanium plate was fitted to hold bones together.

I managed to get income support for a few weeks before the DWP sent me for a health review. I was asked to touch my toes…look up…look down… asked what time I went to bed… what time did I get up…what do I eat for breakfast? Where do I do my shopping? But it’s my wrist, I pleaded.

I have worked since I was 15. Spent 17 years in HM Forces. I have worked proudly in the funeral trade for 18 years until a driver changed all that. I am 59 and have had severe depression for 22 years, but never let it stop me working. The health assessment left me feeling degraded and worthless.

Despite paying into the system for years, I was being tested to see how fit for work I was. My wrist was never even examined. The health care professional reminded me of a scene from Little Britain, “Computer says no”. I did not spot any care, any understanding, any deviation from the set questions she had to ask and put a tick against.

So, the good people of Derby, I now have to wait to see, if the few weeks I have had on income support can continue.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Even the diverse ones.

Do people who have been on benefits most of their lives go through this? Should I have told lies, limped and groaned and gone to the interview scruffy, instead of smart?

Should I have cursed and swore? Should I have gone with a tin of beer in my hand? Should I have gone with a walking stick like the lady in front of me who I later saw in Primark, walking unaided?

I am saddened and confused. I don’t know the outcome of my health review but can hazard a guess – “Fit for Work”. End of support.

So I am getting my CV in early to prospective employers for my new change of career. Male, 59 years old. History of depression. Fractured wrist. May need another operation and require time off work for physio etc. May have mood swings thanks to accident. Slight limp after parachuting accident in Army. Please join the queue to employ me.