Benefits ‘Spy Squad’ Order MS Man To Repay £20,000
A YOUNG man with multiple sclerosis has told of his shock after being accused of lying about his condition and ordered to hand back almost £20,000 of benefits.
Michael Forsyth was diagnosed with the debilitating condition just a week before his 21st birthday and started claiming the Personal Independence Payments, which replaced the Disability Living Allowance.
But he has now been ordered to pay the money back after he was covertly followed by a surveillance team from the Fraud and Error Service.
His mobility car was also taken away last week and Michael, 26, says he now suffers regular panic attacks and is paranoid about going outdoors for fear of being spied on.
Medication for his anxiety and depression has been doubled as a result and the stress has worsened the symptoms of his MS.
Michael, who lives in Lanark, said: “When the surveillance team came to my house and showed me the DVD footage they had taken of me I felt violated. They made me feel as if I had never had an illness.”
He says when he was evaluated for PIP in March 2015 his MS was particularly bad and he was in a wheelchair during the assessment.
But last June the surveillance team recorded Michael regularly walking his dog without any type of aid, exercising and cleaning his car. They also looked through his Facebook history and saw pictures of him at T in the Park, on the pitch at a charity football match and building a cabinet.
But Michael says he was with the MS Society, which he had joined to help raise awareness, at the music festival and at the football match, when, he says, he only kicked the ball a few times.
He said: “And yes, I did clean my car but what they didn’t see was me having to go to bed for hours afterwards because I was exhausted.
“The nature of the illness means I can’t say what I’ll be able to do from day to day.”
He has been to his GP surgery 38 times in the last year for a variety of complaints related to his MS such as fainting, depression, tonsillitis, migraines, insomnia and falls.
Because his PIP has been stopped, Michael’s Employment and Support Allowance has also been affected and he has also been ordered to pay back £1,436.35, which will be taken from his weekly payment of £125.55 for the next four years.
Although he has yet to be told how he is expected to pay back the £17,881.82 PIP sum, he expects it will also be taken from his weekly ESA.
The Department for Work and Pensions have shared their findings from the surveillance operation, including the revised scores for the 12 activities used to determine whether someone should get PIP and how much.
Activities include eating and drinking, washing, going to the toilet, communicating and getting around.
Michael’s revised scores, based on the evidence gathered, were zero for all 12 activities. He has now appealed the decision.
As part of his appeal he received a letter from his neurologist at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, who confirmed that following the diagnosis of MS, Michael developed “further significant symptoms with worsening leg weakness, arm weakness, dysarthria (speech problems) and double vision.”
He added: “Michael has been left with significant on-going symptoms.”
But the response from the DWP insisted this was just an “opinion” and didn’t give the full picture.
The letter stated: “Sometimes a medical professional can only give their best guess about what a person is able to do based on what the patient has told them and based on their knowledge and experience … any opinion about walking ability, or ability to manage self care, expressed by a medical professional is trumped by actual observations.”
They added that Michael’s initial assessment was a “clear and blatant exaggeration” adding that he had “deliberately misrepresented his needs.”
According to the DWP, nearly 3.1 million PIP decisions have been made, and of these 9% have been appealed and 4% have been overturned.
Opinion: Niall Sommerville MS Society Scotland
“Once again, we have a case highlighting how the current welfare system doesn’t work for people living with MS.
“The fluctuating nature of MS means current benefits assessments aren’t suitable.
“MS is a lifelong condition with a range of hidden and unpredictable symptoms – something the current benefit system seems incapable of understanding.
“Since the introduction of PIP, one in three people with MS on the highest disability benefit have seen their award reduced after reassessment.
“The UK Government urgently needs to fix this broken system.
“Having MS is hard enough.
“It should not be made harder by a welfare system that doesn’t make sense.”
Critics: PIP isn’t working
PIP benefits have been dogged by controversy for five years.
A survey by the Disability Benefits Consortium found 79% of respondents said assessments had made their health worse, due to stress.
Although parts of the benefits system is being devolved, it is thought it may be 2021 before the Scottish Government is in full control.
Scotland has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with more than 11,000 people living with it in the country.
MS stays with you for life, but treatments can help manage the condition and its symptoms.
MS affects almost three times as many women as men.
To receive support or for information on benefits and MS, contact the free MS helpline on 0808 800 8000 or visit the website at mssociety.org.uk
Same Difference 
Reblogged this on sdbast.
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Obviously TOTAL BS.
If the DWP had ANY real EVIDENCE then they would be getting their bent cop and CPS mates to ‘do’ him for fraud, and the trial would be getting reported in the Daily Hate.
>”any opinion… expressed by a medical professional is trumped by actual observations”
A couple of privacy violations from the “Hostile Environment” of Serial Murdering, Torturing, Human Rights Violating, Hate Criminal, Nonce DWP Fraudsters is TRUMPED when the victims of those sick filth point out that – Here On Planet Earth – “IT VARIES”.
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How come DWP criminals can’t read THEIR OWN –
EBM – Multiple Sclerosis Version: 1 Final MED/MS~001(a)
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/257382/response/632314/attach/html/21/MultipleSclerosis%20a%20Version%201%20Final%20Copy.pdf.html
From here –
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/all_ebm_protocols
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But then… “he was with the MS Society, which he had joined to help raise awareness”
So… not much sympathy….
‘raise awareness’ rrrrreally –
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/financial-help/brief-guide-to-benefits/employment-and-support-allowance/appealing-an-esa-decision
I don’t see any mention of reporting DWP Hate Crime to the ‘Police’ or even reporting DWP Vulnerable Adult Abuse to ‘Social Services’ there.
Just the ‘Official’ UK Government line and BS about the DWPs’ CAB fraudsters.
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/care-and-support/financial-help/legal-advice
No mention of Hate Crime, Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Torture or Human Rights Violations there.
“We work in partnership with the Disability Law Service (DLS)”
http://dls.org.uk/
Click to access 0000280805_AC_20170531_E_C.pdf
Page 17 –
For 2017 alone the MS Society paid Disability Law Service (DLS) £70,000
So how come the MS Society (and their Disability Law Service) haven’t heard of ???? –
Criminal Justice Act 1988 – Torture
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/33/part/XI/crossheading/torture
Fraud Act 2006 –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/contents
Blackmail
Theft Act 1968 – Section 21 – Blackmail
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/60/section/21
Conspiracy to Defraud –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/sentencing_manual/conspiracy_to_defraud_(common_law)/
Misconduct in Public Office –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/misconduct_in_public_office/
(Meaning of Public Function) Human Rights Act 1998 –
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/045/08045.i-i.html
Perverting The Course of Justice –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/p_to_r/public_justice_offences_incorporating_the_charging_standard/
Serious Crime Act 2007 – Part 2 – Encouraging or Assisting Crime –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/27/part/2
Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/24-25/94/crossheading/as-to-abettors-in-misdemeanors
Criminal Attempts Act 1981 –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/47/contents
Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/homicide_murder_and_manslaughter/
Protection from Harassment Act 1997
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents
Malicious Communications Act –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/27/section/1
Equality Act 2010
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Especially sections 26. Harassment. and 27. Victimisation.
Medical Act 1983 –
Penalty for pretending to be registered –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/54/section/49
Penalty for pretending to hold a licence to practise –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/54/section/49A
Criminal Justice Act 2003 (section 146) – Disability Hate Crime
Increase in sentences for aggravation related to disability or sexual orientation –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/44/section/146
Care Act 2014 – Safeguarding adults at risk of abuse or neglect –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/section/42/enacted
Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 –
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care worker offence –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/2/section/20/enacted
Ill-treatment or wilful neglect: care provider offence –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/2/section/21/enacted
Abuse of Vulnerable Adults –
Click to access No_secrets__guidance_on_developing_and_implementing_multi-agency_policies_and_procedures_to_protect_vulnerable_adults_from_abuse.pdf
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Articles
https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities-2.html
UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CAT.aspx
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Michelle Mitchell
Chief Executive of the MS Society since 2013 –
NHS England – Non Executive Director
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2016/02/non-executive-directors/
“Ms Wendy Becker and Ms Michelle Mitchell have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Health as Non-Executive Directors of NHS England for four years from 1 March 2016.”
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/michelle-mitchell-im-not-one-status-quo/management/article/1308998
1994: Assistant adviser to Labour MP Donald Dewar when he was Labour’s shadow social security minister
1997: University College London – MA Political and Public Administration
Salary (Range): £110,000-120,000
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Plays football, takes a dog for a walk, washes a car, doesn’t use aids; to a casual observer, he doesn’t appear to be disabled.
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Exactly the problem. A very large proportion of disabilities are invisible. None of us have any idea what another person is going through. If my neighbours were Tories, I’m sure they’d suspect me of being a faker too. When I can leave the house, I try very hard not to show my pain. They don’t see me when I can’t leave the house, or my bedroom, or my bed. They don’t see me having to crawl to the bathroom. They don’t see me losing days because morphine is the only thing that helps. They don’t see me lying in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling, wanting to die. But that one or two times a week, or every two weeks, that I step outside my front door, I look fine. I’m not, though.
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Heather I totally agree, my neighbours rarely see me with my stick when I am able to go out an outside door! Sometimes they won’t see me for days on end because I am sleeping….when I do get the odd good day….I will go out and try and have fun, do some gardening, wash my car, that now takes 3 or more hours rather than the 45 minutes it used to.
Yes I may look good on them days cos I could actually make the effort, and yes I too look like I have nothing wrong with me, but I do have chronic pain to deal with that people don’t see.
People need to live our lives for a day…..the bad days…..then they won’t be so quick to judge!
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slap7 – https://slapjohnshead.wordpress.com/
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More from hate troll slap7 –
“I totally support Stephen Crabb in his stance against abnormals. Heterosexuals are normal – anything else is perversion. And homosexual marriage is almost as funny as transperverts!”
“I’m a carer for a disabled person”
“I deal with disability”
“Their only concern is to cut benefits regardless of the harm it will cause & some take pleasure in doing so.”
“Social media are dangerous for many reasons, & this is why I never use it. Anything in the public domain can be manipulated & used against you.”
No ‘manipulation’ needed :p
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slap7 – https://slapjohnshead.wordpress.com/
slapjohnshead – “Hello Mcfly” … so which bit of “IT VARIES” do you not understand?
vary
ˈvɛːri/Submit
verb
3rd person present: varies
differ in size, amount, degree, or nature from something else of the same general class.
“the properties vary in price”
synonyms: differ, be different, be unlike, be dissimilar More
change from one condition, form, or state to another.
“your skin’s moisture content varies according to climatic conditions”
synonyms: change, alter, deviate, diverge, depart, differ, fluctuate, move on
“the routine never varied”
introduce modifications or changes into (something) so as to make it different or less uniform.
“he tried to vary his diet”
synonyms: diversify, variegate, bring variety to, assort, mix, enlarge, expand, widen, broaden, increase, proliferate, extend; More
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/varies
http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/varies
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Fraud Act 2006 –
Fraud by abuse of position –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/section/4
Misconduct in Public Office –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/misconduct_in_public_office/
“Examples of behaviour that have in the past fallen within the offence include:
wilful excesses of official authority;
‘malicious’ exercises of official authority;
wilful neglect of a public duty;
intentional infliction of bodily harm, imprisonment, or other injury upon a person;
frauds and deceits.”
“It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.”
Criminal Attempts Act 1981 –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/47/contents
Common Assault/Battery/ABH/GBH
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/l_to_o/offences_against_the_person/
Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter –
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/homicide_murder_and_manslaughter/
Criminal Justice Act 1988 – Torture
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/33/part/XI/crossheading/torture
UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CAT.aspx
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