Just a word of warning to any Brit expats in Thailand who may be getting the old Invalidity or Incapacity Benefit from home.
I'm not being judgemental at all - we know people get UK benefits paid back home and draw them in Thailand - rightly or wrongly it happens. But just for info - from next April people still receiving these old benefits will be called for medicals. Even those who haven't been bothered for years WILL be required to attend a medical as part of the final transition to the new system.
Bottom line is that if any expats don't know - don't get letters etc - don't get home for the medical - benefits will stop. End of story.
That's true Mags.
Also, I reckon before any medical takes place they will have sent you (to UK address) a lengthy form to
fill out..no doubt asking for way more info than 'does lifting heavy objects make you fart?'
As ever 'they' are out to cut your benefit if they can...be warned..& be aware.
I know from experience and have a folder 6 inches thick to prove it
I gave up
Know I'd get it if I limped around the UK
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
usual suspect wrote:That's true Mags.
Also, I reckon before any medical takes place they will have sent you (to UK address) a lengthy form to
fill out..no doubt asking for way more info than 'does lifting heavy objects make you fart?'
As ever 'they' are out to cut your benefit if they can...be warned..& be aware.
Correct US - a pretty lengthy form as always. Farting is optional but no-one is going to be exempt as far as I can see unless terminally ill.
I attended one of the medicals last month with a client who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and despite a very sympathetic doc my client now has to attend jobsearch. Way to go!....
What would we do without the Daily Mails inside knowledge eh?
Yes of course benefits are abused - have been for years - and if DWP Fraud staff are cut the situation won't improve any.
They're a bit off beam there with what happens at an ATOS medical though - walking isn't routinely tested and doctors can't require people to carry out functions which would clearly cause pain.
But let's not forget 2 things which a very relevant IMO. First - to be able to claim ESA (IB as was) the claimant must have a medical cert issued by their GP or consultant, which means that the ATOS doctors are having to in effect question the GPs judgement and professionalism.
And second - the Government never issues figures on the value of UNclaimed benefits, which Advisors estimate to far exceed the value of fraud.
Of course that doesn't make fraudulent claims right - things do need sorting one way or another.
Wasn't it the case though that having had a sympathetic GP put the claimant on Incapacity Benefit (or whatever it's now called) for being too fat to work they could stay on it for life with no further medical check-ups or reviews required ?
The new proposed flat rate pension will also help in simplfying the current system which along with Tax credits, Pension Credits etc. etc. had become over-complicated and very costly to administrate.
Keep it Simple was a maxim lost on Gordon Brown who now seems to be keeping an extremely low profile.....
I suspect most, if not all social systems are heavily abused as they are run by incompetent (and usually corrupt) government officials or appointees. Billions are lost per year in the U.S. in social security and medicare fraud. The people in charge of such programs don't have incentive to catch abuse as they don't get paid on a profit or loss convention like private industry.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
chopsticks wrote:Wasn't it the case though that having had a sympathetic GP put the claimant on Incapacity Benefit (or whatever it's now called) for being too fat to work they could stay on it for life with no further medical check-ups or reviews required ?
The new proposed flat rate pension will also help in simplfying the current system which along with Tax credits, Pension Credits etc. etc. had become over-complicated and very costly to administrate.
Keep it Simple was a maxim lost on Gordon Brown who now seems to be keeping an extremely low profile.....
Obesity is a problem but to be honest I think for a GP to sign someone off sick on those grounds alone seems very unlikely. There would probably need to be some other underlying risk to health - strain on the heart etc - pre-existing conditions. I know some GPs are considered a walkover but would they get away with long term sick notes for obesity without regular follow ups? Doubtful IMO. On the other hand what employer is going to take on a 30 stoner anyway.
Re the proposed new flat rate pension yes, I can see the advantage in simplifying the system. It would make sense. Unfortunately I can't see it happening once the Government does the math. May be proved wrong - but a transition to flat rate would have to be at the existing level of Pension Credit across the board - currently just over 130 a week stirling for a single person - whereas now those with a state plus private pension - and/or with a certain level of savings - can be excluded from PC entitlement altogether. We will see.
