Forklift driver who lost leg told: You're fit to work

Darren Gilligan with his daughters Charlotte (left) and Amy Darren Gilligan with his daughters Charlotte (left) and Amy

A former forklift driver who had a leg amputated following a workplace accident has been ruled fit to work by benefits bosses.

Single dad-of-two Darren Gilligan, 35, had to take his case to appeal last year after he was initially told he was not entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) because he did not score enough points on a medical assessment form.

That decision was reversed after the Telegraph & Argus highlighted his plight but he has been reviewed again following the amputation of one of his legs and benefits bosses have withdrawn his ESA for a second time.

Mr Gilligan said: “It’s ludicrous. When they did a U-turn last time I still had both my legs but now I’ve actually had the amputation. I’m worse off than before and there are other health complications but they are saying I’m fit to work – I’m clearly not.”

Mr Gilligan, of Pasture Road, Baildon, was getting used to his false leg when he fell and tore ligaments in his other knee for which he underwent an operation yesterday.

He said: “I’m wheelchair-bound because I can’t bear any weight and I get chronic backache. I want to work when I’m well enough and have learned to walk on my new leg but that’s not possible now. I’m not a scrounger.”

Mr Gilligan, who suffered complications after breaking his ankle at work in 2003, had previously been receiving Incapacity Benefit.

Mr Gilligan said he will appeal with the help of letters from his GP, consultants and phyios who, he said, all agree he can- not go back to work yet.

He said: “I was told I only had 12 points towards getting my Employment and Support Allowance – six for having one leg, another six for being depressed and I need another three apparently.

“Everyone I speak to is flabbergasted. If you can breathe and blink they want you back to work. It means I lose help towards my housing benefit and council tax when it’s not my fault. I’m a single dad with a family to bring up, times are hard enough but without my ESA they are even harder.

“I will appeal and with all the specialists behind me I should get the extra points I need for them to have another re-think and re-award me the ESA but I can’t even start to appeal until I get all the official paperwork from the benefits people which seems to be taking ages.”

Paul Anderson, of Bradford & District Disabled People’s Forum, said its calculations showed 42 per cent of people in Bradford were winning their appeals against ESA judgements which showed how “ridiculous” the entitlement process was.

He said: “It’s causing a lot of stress and unnecessary worry because of the way the assessment and scoring process is so unfair and so unrealistic. Disabled people want to be given the opportunity to work but some people need more support and also jobs they can do are not always available.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “We shouldn’t automatically write off a person’s ability to work, solely on the basis of a health condition or disability.

“That’s why the Work Capability Assessment doesn't focus on a particular diagnosis, but on the actual abilities of an individual, and whether that person – with the right support – could undertake suitable work.

“People who are too sick or disabled will continue to receive our unconditional support, but those who are able to work will get specialist help through the Work Programme.

“Everyone has the right to appeal a benefit decision they do not agree with. Once we receive an appeal, ESA will be paid pending the outcome, so claimants are not left without an income.”

Comments(57)

old pecker says...
7:27am Fri 11 May 12

This is so typical of the ATOS assessment who are paid by the DWP to assess people.
the real sad thing is they pass the people who are obviously swinging the lead , i have a friend with a leg amputated and they have got ESA ,, ATOS are the worst people to carry out these tests

beardedclam says...
8:53am Fri 11 May 12

Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.

benji123 says...
8:53am Fri 11 May 12

a failed and abused system that needs reinventing but not at the expense of the most vulnerable. subscribe to the free news letter from benefits and work for some pracitical help and advice.
http://www.benefitsa
ndwork.co.uk/

kellyh1981 says...
8:58am Fri 11 May 12

I understand he has lost a leg and cannot do anything physical but with training it could be a possibility to do an office based job. I think what is sometimes difficult is that people who have worked and have suffered and injury still think about doing the same work they did before which might not be possible.
I think it needs to be better explained that although they are said to be fit for work it may not be the same type of work as previously and give them ideas of teh types of work they think are suitable for their conditions etc to try and encourage people rather than just saying go back to work.

Bfdlad says...
8:59am Fri 11 May 12

This is a joke.... Like the country i supose... There are too many people out there claiming and there is nothing up with them... And this guy is genuin and they say he needs to goto work... I think this country needs to look closer at people that are claiming when there fit and well... Thats all im saying before i say something i wont regret!!!!

benji123 says...
9:00am Fri 11 May 12

beardedclam wrote:
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.
since when did we take professional opinions away from our GP's and Specialists ??

Old Peculiar says...
9:01am Fri 11 May 12

Got to agree with the previous poster - Mr Gilligan is currently 35, but in 2003 (aged 26?), prior to the amputation, he was already receiving benefits. I sympathise with him for his loss, but it does seem like another case of Benefit Britian. There are numerous examples in the media of people who have either been born with, or have suffered severe disabilities as a result of accidents, who have just got on with their lives, not expecting anything in return. I have a friend (in his 40s) who lost his leg in a motorbike accident, when he was only 17 - after 2 years of recouperation, he has lived a normal life, working full time and not expecting anything in return. My suggestion to Mr Gilligan, would be to stop filling out benefit claim forms, and start filling out job application forms.

Huneybunch says...
9:03am Fri 11 May 12

beardedclam wrote:
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited! Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant. I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.
If you had read the artlicale properly you would have seen that YES he does want to go back to work, but it will take time as it is not easy to learn to walk again after losing a leg. Too many people are to ready with their own oppions that they dont read what is written. I know a person that has claimed for years and every time he has to go for a review low nad behold his back starts playing up, THATS THE PEOPLE THAT NEED TARGETING. The ones that have scrounge of the system for years.

Joedavid says...
9:04am Fri 11 May 12

This does seem a harsh decision for this man and I hope that the right results will come out of this article.
Do we have the full story on the financial side?
Some benifets lost as detailed but does he get others in place of that, EG now sick with his other leg?
It was a workplace accident the article says, is he getting money from the employer and insurence ?
Nothing of course will cover the loss of his leg but finacialy he might not be as bad as the article says. I wish him and his family well.

dont get me started says...
9:16am Fri 11 May 12

beardedclam wrote:
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.
You obviousley didn't read the article properly, he has had complications and is in pain with backache and such, he is not recovered yet from his ordeal, what do you want him to do, go to a workplace working all day in pain.
Try putting yourself in his position and think about how you'd feel if this happened to you. I know how depressed i'd be if i lost a limb, i'd probably be depressed for a long time, it's not like having a tooth out, he probably will go back to work when he has had time to heal physically and mentaly.
You are such an horrible person making comments on somebody elses downfall, lets hope you don't suffer a traumatic injury.

GC BD4 says...
9:16am Fri 11 May 12

ATOS assessment people are not trained medical practioners, they have had training to ask certain questions and tick boxes. How they can assess the likes of Mr Gilligan and come up with the result astounds me. I have seen more fit and abled persons using Blue Badge Disability passes who walk well and carry bags of shopping. ATOS are a disgrace.

Siouxie says...
9:17am Fri 11 May 12

beardedclam says...
8:53am Fri 11 May 12
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted"


Wow, i sincerely hope you never need to be on benefits....the poor bloke has lost his leg! how can a government lackie overturn the decision of a qualified doctor???????????

Mish29 says...
9:48am Fri 11 May 12

What a shambles this country is !!! Beardedclam your comments are a disgrace.....
The point of the matter is that this is a GENUINE case of somebody not being able to work and the benefits have been taken away from him. The amount of scroungers out there who are able bodied and flout the system is a joke !!

i hate bradford says...
10:16am Fri 11 May 12

Obviously the stupid people commenting have no training or right to comment unless they are fully trained psychiatrists. The depression is the worst symptom here and is the one that causes the most problems. Just ignore the ignorant ones mate and get well in your own time. You WILL win the appeal and you are legally entittled to this benefit just on the one diagnoses. Get your physciatrist to back you up or a mental health worker. Yes maybe his body could cope with a job in the near future but his mind certainly wont. do grow up you fools you know nothing about these issues just typical sheeple daily mail readers -but even they are changing their tune. My advice is go to citizens advice AND join the link above for Benefits at work pay the small fee because their info will get you through this hell. Their are over a hundred suicides been put down to atos wrong lying diagnoses. they are evil people.

www.benefitsandwork.
co.uk

a reasonable sort of chap says...
10:26am Fri 11 May 12

Disgusting. They'll be digging up the dead next...

a reasonable sort of chap says...
10:30am Fri 11 May 12

"...those who are able to work will get specialist help through the Work Programme"

This too is a lie. I am on the Work Programme, and it is a complete joke, there is NO help whatsoever, the so-called "training" companies cannot cope with the amount of people they're dealing with and there is no training available. It is forecast by the Social Market Foundation that the Work Programme will bankrupt the training providers within two years (the SMF Report).

a reasonable sort of chap says...
10:32am Fri 11 May 12

Old Peculiar wrote:
Got to agree with the previous poster - Mr Gilligan is currently 35, but in 2003 (aged 26?), prior to the amputation, he was already receiving benefits. I sympathise with him for his loss, but it does seem like another case of Benefit Britian. There are numerous examples in the media of people who have either been born with, or have suffered severe disabilities as a result of accidents, who have just got on with their lives, not expecting anything in return. I have a friend (in his 40s) who lost his leg in a motorbike accident, when he was only 17 - after 2 years of recouperation, he has lived a normal life, working full time and not expecting anything in return. My suggestion to Mr Gilligan, would be to stop filling out benefit claim forms, and start filling out job application forms.
What jobs?

Apollo says...
11:34am Fri 11 May 12

Obviously one has sympathy for Mr.Gilligan but if you can fill out a Benefits Claim Form you can fill in other forms which would constitute doing a job of work or at least applying for a suitable job. You have a disability - how you cope with that will be the measure of you. Benefits are not the measure by which you should be considering how you move forward and get on with the rest of your life.

Prisoner Cell Block A says...
11:36am Fri 11 May 12

There isn't enough employment around for people with the full quotient of legs. Why try force someone with one leg into employment when there are people who haven't worked since leaving school. Bring down retirement age, backfill with youth, create more jobs. If you can't do that, which you can't or won't, then you won't make impact.

Prisoner Cell Block A says...
12:45pm Fri 11 May 12

beardedclam wrote:
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.
You are just a total R's . Know nothing about City, know nothing about people and spout your rubbish like we care.

How is a one-legged-man, in a chair, with backache and depression supposed to compete in the job market with able bodied people when there are no jobs for the able bodied out there? It isn't like he has lived on benmefits all his life, this was an industrial accident which by definition means he was at work when he did it.
He also states he wants to get back to work when he is able and when there is something suitable.

This isn't a case of Benefit Britain at all it is a case of cutting in the worng places. If the DSS or whatever they are called, want to impact on Benefit Britain they need to start with the long term unemployed who sit on their backsides popping kids out in between fags and ad breaks on Jeremey Kyle. Anyone who has been unemployed for 2 years or more should immediately, from next Monday be put on a work scheme improving our city. You refuse, you receive no benefit money, or work scheme wage. If we are to target, target the right ones not those who do, have and will work again.

jonathancrewdson says...
12:51pm Fri 11 May 12

The guy also suffers from chronic back ache and depression according to the article. I'm sure that in itself will be a barrier to him doing any regular work. He didn't say he wants to be out of work forever and he'll be going through a healing process on the way to recovering and adapting.

He's had his leg amputated! Do you lot actually understand how that will affect somebody psychologically? This website appears to attractive highly cynical, negative and downright judgemental people.

StaffsBantam says...
12:52pm Fri 11 May 12

Prisoner Cell Block A wrote:
beardedclam wrote:
Whilst i sympathise with mr Gilligan and the tragic circumstances that surrounded his amputation. i agree wih the department. Yes mr Gilligan, you have lost a leg, but the rest of your body works, and so should you! There are disabled people in the workplace, much worse off than you who are willing to work and be treated like any other person in the workplace. Yes your job options are more limited, but that is all, limited!
Another case of "benefit britain", where we are all expected to pick up the bill for the rest of our lives. You have been dealt a very bad hand, but get on with it and show that you are better than just a claimant.
I'm sure there will be disabled people looking at this this who are currently in employment who will be nothing short of disgusted.
You are just a total R's . Know nothing about City, know nothing about people and spout your rubbish like we care.

How is a one-legged-man, in a chair, with backache and depression supposed to compete in the job market with able bodied people when there are no jobs for the able bodied out there? It isn't like he has lived on benmefits all his life, this was an industrial accident which by definition means he was at work when he did it.
He also states he wants to get back to work when he is able and when there is something suitable.

This isn't a case of Benefit Britain at all it is a case of cutting in the worng places. If the DSS or whatever they are called, want to impact on Benefit Britain they need to start with the long term unemployed who sit on their backsides popping kids out in between fags and ad breaks on Jeremey Kyle. Anyone who has been unemployed for 2 years or more should immediately, from next Monday be put on a work scheme improving our city. You refuse, you receive no benefit money, or work scheme wage. If we are to target, target the right ones not those who do, have and will work again.
The "Clam" guy is just a troll.

freespeech says...
3:26pm Fri 11 May 12

No reason this guy should not look for and gain employment. I have colleagues in a far worse situation than him, and working has improved their quality of life. Give is try, always better to give than take!

ra-ra says...
4:59pm Fri 11 May 12

No reason at all why this chap cannot find work i worked in an office with a lady who was involved in an RTA at age 12 lost use of her lower body she was in a wheelchair had a full time job and she held the record in the office for not having a single day of sick in the 6 years i worked with her.she was a wonderful person to know and work with.

She used to say that working kept her going beeing around people outside home was what she looked forward to.

Prisoner Cell Block A says...
5:15pm Fri 11 May 12

He isnt saying he doesn't want to work or won't work. READ THE REPORT!

Many people with disabilites do work, many people without disabilities swing the lead and are allowed to be classed as disabled through the 'friendly' doctor scenario or by just being totally feckless. This man has recently gone from being on disability with TWO legs to being removed from disability allowance now he has ONE leg.

We all have to make savings during these turbulent times but the government making cuts to the benfit system is a good thing if the right targets are aimed at. In this case at present they are not.

msdolittle says...
5:34pm Fri 11 May 12

this man can work and i agree with the benefits agency.he can talk ,has the use of his hands could with training do call centre work.lots of disabled people do different work than their previous employment.give it a go mate.

mikee 556 says...
6:15pm Fri 11 May 12

you people with negative comments have no idea i know mr gilligan personaly He only had his leg amputated in aug then at xmas his good leg gave up becouse of the extra work his only good leg had to do and a benifits cheet he is not he wants to work and as long as he gets the correct amout of rehabilitation time he will be working so come on benifits people give him a chance to recover first

Prisoner Cell Block A says...
7:18pm Fri 11 May 12

We all know benefit cheats exist. We all probably know or suspect someone, this guy isn't one of those. Once we are all satisfied every false benefit claimant has been rounded up and punished maybe then the time will come to review disability and what does and does not class as too disabled to work.
Also once government ministers have slashed their earnings and expenses, given up half their pensions, they can't possibly need them to be sustaining if we don't need ours to sustain us.

The horse is always before the cart. A man with one leg, depression, backache and currently sat in a wheelchair is not our enemy and not falsely needing to be on disability allowance for all his life. Give him and others like him a break, target the right areas.

bradfordian says...
8:09pm Fri 11 May 12

This not only sounds harsh, it is harsh. He is not able to work yet, he has complications and will need the support of many healthcare professionals and should receive the benefit until he is capable of working. Has the saying goes 'if you have not walked in his shoes we should not judge. This gentleman had an accident at work which caused him to lose his leg. This man deserves compassion not criticism.

mr-dog says...
9:09pm Fri 11 May 12

If I lost a leg like this poor chap, I would want the system to look after me.

After all, that is what it is there for.

Lynda Phillips says...
10:27pm Fri 11 May 12

Unfortunately I suffered an horrific series of illnesses two years ago (January 2010). The question everyone tries to avoid answering is 'if the CONDEMS had been in government then would the intensive care staff have had to turn off life support because the outcome was expected to be extremely bad at best and keeping someone in my condition in intensive care for five weeks is very exspensive?'... I was very lucky in that I made remarkable progress considering what happened but remain severely physically and mentally disabled... This gentleman has been through hell and is clearly not a benefit scrounger... It sickens me, as a journalist, to see the government fed media hate campaign on sick, disabled, elderly and vulnerable people in our so called society... Shame on the media... There may be a 'saving grace' because Rupert Murdoch is clearly unhappy with the government and may be the only person that could bring down this disgrace of a government if he so chose...

jacko99 says...
11:41pm Fri 11 May 12

good on you ATOS, get them all back on the work register, they have had enough rest sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle Shows, now's time to repay debt to society, they have been getting hand outs for too long, now is time to make a proper living and earn their crust like all law abiding taxpayers !

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:28am Sat 12 May 12

jacko99 wrote:
good on you ATOS, get them all back on the work register, they have had enough rest sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle Shows, now's time to repay debt to society, they have been getting hand outs for too long, now is time to make a proper living and earn their crust like all law abiding taxpayers !
Yeah but let's not forget, Benefits aren't exactly a gift, they are a right. After all, the State does owe us all a living, at the end of the day, as you surely can't have overlooked the small matter of the Inclosures? The Working Class were created for a purpose, and now their use is over they are dispensable. And I'm sure it can't have escaped your notice that the Industrial Revolution is over, there is no industry, there are no jobs, the cities are obsolete. It's all about saving money by punishing the workers in order to protect the wealthy.

Have you visited a Jobcentre lately? It's heaving, they can hardly cope, and I look forward to seeing how they can cope with a succession of people in wheelchairs, something which also applies to alleged "training" providers of the optimistically named 'Work Programme'.

Or would you be more inspired by the lyrics to 'Mongoloid' by Devo? At least he was bringing home the bacon, eh?

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:33am Sat 12 May 12

madzippy wrote:
a reasonable sort of chap wrote:
Disgusting. They'll be digging up the dead next...
Yes I agree, no more asylum seekers,no more hand outs to immigrants who have come to bleed us dry.We are all paying a heavy price for these freeloaders.The impact of this influx of people is not acceptable on schools,housing,heal

thcare or benefits to those in need.
Yes but by the same token I think you or I could choose to go live in Chezck or Poland for a bit and live quite cheaply by comparison probably. So it works out fair in the end if you think about it, as there are also about a million Brits living & working abroad. Glad I've been able to explain that to you as you seemed to be at cross wires and sounded almost like someone in Germany in the 30's..what was his name?

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:35am Sat 12 May 12

jonathancrewdson wrote:
The guy also suffers from chronic back ache and depression according to the article. I'm sure that in itself will be a barrier to him doing any regular work. He didn't say he wants to be out of work forever and he'll be going through a healing process on the way to recovering and adapting.

He's had his leg amputated! Do you lot actually understand how that will affect somebody psychologically? This website appears to attractive highly cynical, negative and downright judgemental people.
It attracts right-wing trolls, mostly. Sad, embittered, little people, leading mundane lives whilst begrudging others. Pity them. And don't vote Tory, I guess.

expatmedic says...
4:50am Sat 12 May 12

Perhaps the person who made this decision should be transferred quicly onto the "QUTADA" case as there is a man who is getting far more out of this country than Mr Gilligan

Albion. says...
11:53am Sat 12 May 12

expatmedic wrote:
Perhaps the person who made this decision should be transferred quicly onto the "QUTADA" case as there is a man who is getting far more out of this country than Mr Gilligan
Presumably you mean "Qatada"?

PROUD BRAFORDIAN says...
8:43pm Sat 12 May 12

it makes my blood boil when true-genuine claimants are forced to suffer from injustice and the fraudulent claimants are given full support from the benefits office!

benji123 says...
1:25am Sun 13 May 12

good luck with your appeal, play the system how they play you. you can find plenty of tips on the link i placed above. treat it like your new career, put some work into it and you will get the results that you are entitled to. if it's worth having then it's worth claiming for lol.

shipleygeezer says...
6:01pm Sun 13 May 12

PROUD BRAFORDIAN wrote:
it makes my blood boil when true-genuine claimants are forced to suffer from injustice and the fraudulent claimants are given full support from the benefits office!
here here old chap

piper56 says...
9:01pm Sun 13 May 12

i know people more able bodied than mr gilligan who are claiming benifits and working if you grass them up little seems to be done about it

benji123 says...
9:28pm Sun 13 May 12

benji123 wrote:
good luck with your appeal, play the system how they play you. you can find plenty of tips on the link i placed above. treat it like your new career, put some work into it and you will get the results that you are entitled to. if it's worth having then it's worth claiming for lol.
a few such little known tricks is to ask for your Atos assessment recording. this can slow your assessments from 3 monthly to 5 or 6. don't accept a Sunday appointment if it's your 'Spiritual' day. always wait a week or so before cancelling your assessments,don't rush it. never accept an appointment over the phone as you may have outstanding appointments on that day that you may have to check on.let them make it later and send it through the post. don't allow them to lie or bully you into taking a cancellation, you DON'T have to. clarify who is doing the assessment when you get there, then who they are and their qualifications...the
y want proof of who YOU are. just make sure that it's a Doctor or Nurse and not the office Cleaner !!! look for a Name Badge, they should be waring one. the Government has declared War on Benifit Claimants....start fighting back!!

Andy2010 says...
12:30pm Mon 14 May 12

benji123 wrote:
benji123 wrote: good luck with your appeal, play the system how they play you. you can find plenty of tips on the link i placed above. treat it like your new career, put some work into it and you will get the results that you are entitled to. if it's worth having then it's worth claiming for lol.
a few such little known tricks is to ask for your Atos assessment recording. this can slow your assessments from 3 monthly to 5 or 6. don't accept a Sunday appointment if it's your 'Spiritual' day. always wait a week or so before cancelling your assessments,don't rush it. never accept an appointment over the phone as you may have outstanding appointments on that day that you may have to check on.let them make it later and send it through the post. don't allow them to lie or bully you into taking a cancellation, you DON'T have to. clarify who is doing the assessment when you get there, then who they are and their qualifications...the y want proof of who YOU are. just make sure that it's a Doctor or Nurse and not the office Cleaner !!! look for a Name Badge, they should be waring one. the Government has declared War on Benifit Claimants....start fighting back!!
Its people like you with your "advice" that cause half the problems with this country. The system is there to help people and not be abused as you are clearly promoting.

a reasonable sort of chap says...
2:52pm Mon 14 May 12

Andy2010 wrote:
benji123 wrote:
benji123 wrote: good luck with your appeal, play the system how they play you. you can find plenty of tips on the link i placed above. treat it like your new career, put some work into it and you will get the results that you are entitled to. if it's worth having then it's worth claiming for lol.
a few such little known tricks is to ask for your Atos assessment recording. this can slow your assessments from 3 monthly to 5 or 6. don't accept a Sunday appointment if it's your 'Spiritual' day. always wait a week or so before cancelling your assessments,don't rush it. never accept an appointment over the phone as you may have outstanding appointments on that day that you may have to check on.let them make it later and send it through the post. don't allow them to lie or bully you into taking a cancellation, you DON'T have to. clarify who is doing the assessment when you get there, then who they are and their qualifications...the y want proof of who YOU are. just make sure that it's a Doctor or Nurse and not the office Cleaner !!! look for a Name Badge, they should be waring one. the Government has declared War on Benifit Claimants....start fighting back!!
Its people like you with your "advice" that cause half the problems with this country. The system is there to help people and not be abused as you are clearly promoting.
And the other half of the problems are caused by a chillingly uncaring Tory government intent on brutally dismantling our State whilst vindictively punishing society's most vulnerable. Just goes to show what evil people they (and you) actually are.

benji123 says...
3:23pm Mon 14 May 12

Andy2010 wrote:
benji123 wrote:
benji123 wrote: good luck with your appeal, play the system how they play you. you can find plenty of tips on the link i placed above. treat it like your new career, put some work into it and you will get the results that you are entitled to. if it's worth having then it's worth claiming for lol.
a few such little known tricks is to ask for your Atos assessment recording. this can slow your assessments from 3 monthly to 5 or 6. don't accept a Sunday appointment if it's your 'Spiritual' day. always wait a week or so before cancelling your assessments,don't rush it. never accept an appointment over the phone as you may have outstanding appointments on that day that you may have to check on.let them make it later and send it through the post. don't allow them to lie or bully you into taking a cancellation, you DON'T have to. clarify who is doing the assessment when you get there, then who they are and their qualifications...the y want proof of who YOU are. just make sure that it's a Doctor or Nurse and not the office Cleaner !!! look for a Name Badge, they should be waring one. the Government has declared War on Benifit Claimants....start fighting back!!
Its people like you with your "advice" that cause half the problems with this country. The system is there to help people and not be abused as you are clearly promoting.
please,you realy don't know what you are talking about. the system is NOT helping people and that is why i condone tactical measures for the genuine to stay IN the system. to suggest that i am responsible for half the problems in this country just makes you look a right Dick !!

a reasonable sort of chap says...
3:46pm Tue 15 May 12

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CLAIM AND APPEAL MR. GILLIGAN. DON'T LET THE B'STARDS GRIND YOU DOWN, AND DON'T TAKE ANY BIT OF NOTICE OF THE RIGHT-WING TROLLS WHO REGULARLY FEEL OBLIGED TO COMMENT ON HERE !

huxley1 says...
7:48pm Tue 15 May 12

Right wing troll's ?
You don't have to be right wing to see when someones using the system because it's more money than unemployment benefit. Some of us left wingers are sick of it as well.
Just because some people can't see why the hell he can't work given the right job ?

Losing one leg especially below the knee is not a major disability long term. There's no reason why he can't do any number of jobs. That's the issue here that the benefit should only be paid to people who are too ill to work. He isn't. There's no argument over it he can work and if that's the case he's not entitled.

benji123 says...
9:14pm Tue 15 May 12

huxley1 wrote:
Right wing troll's ?
You don't have to be right wing to see when someones using the system because it's more money than unemployment benefit. Some of us left wingers are sick of it as well.
Just because some people can't see why the hell he can't work given the right job ?

Losing one leg especially below the knee is not a major disability long term. There's no reason why he can't do any number of jobs. That's the issue here that the benefit should only be paid to people who are too ill to work. He isn't. There's no argument over it he can work and if that's the case he's not entitled.
read the **** story you retard. he wants to work but needs help NOW!!!

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:36pm Wed 16 May 12

huxley1 wrote:
Right wing troll's ?
You don't have to be right wing to see when someones using the system because it's more money than unemployment benefit. Some of us left wingers are sick of it as well.
Just because some people can't see why the hell he can't work given the right job ?

Losing one leg especially below the knee is not a major disability long term. There's no reason why he can't do any number of jobs. That's the issue here that the benefit should only be paid to people who are too ill to work. He isn't. There's no argument over it he can work and if that's the case he's not entitled.
Ok, let's cut off YOUR leg and see how YOU go on...

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:38pm Wed 16 May 12

There are obviously two types of people commenting on here;

those with compassion and sense, who believe in service-to-others

and

those with no sense, no compassion, completely heartless and firmly stuck in the paradigm of service-to-self.

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:40pm Wed 16 May 12

The vindictive Tory cuts are driving people to suicide:

http://www.thetelegr
aphandargus.co.uk/ne
ws/9707311.Benefit_l
oss_leads_to_suicide
_attempt/

missclyde says...
2:47pm Wed 16 May 12

I cannot believe this country - it is obvious to me that the people of this country who try and keep their heads above water that have contributed to this country by paying tax and NI are the one's that always end up being worse off when something goes wrong. This country might want to have a look at those who claim disability and then are actually working cash in hand somewhere. This poor man has had enough to cope with he should be being supported to look at getting back into work when he is fit and able which I am sure he wants to do. There are far more people in this country who get away with doing nothing driving around in flash cars, signing on etc etc. Give the guy a break and give him his entitlement.

RollandSmoke says...
4:59pm Wed 16 May 12

a reasonable sort of chap wrote:
The vindictive Tory cuts are driving people to suicide: http://www.thetelegr aphandargus.co.uk/ne ws/9707311.Benefit_l oss_leads_to_suicide _attempt/
This is only the tip of a very large iceberg. A freedom of information request by the Mirror revealed that over a thousand people died last year within six weeks of coming into contact with ATOS. There are certain circumstances where ATOS keeps no records of what happens to people after their assesments so the figure could be much higher. If this was Swine flu the media would be screaming about it being a pandemic. Instead the government continues to hand ATOS £100m per annum.

http://blogs.mirror.
co.uk/
investigations/2012/

04/32-die-a-week-aft

er-failing-in.html

a reasonable sort of chap says...
6:33pm Thu 17 May 12

missclyde wrote:
I cannot believe this country - it is obvious to me that the people of this country who try and keep their heads above water that have contributed to this country by paying tax and NI are the one's that always end up being worse off when something goes wrong. This country might want to have a look at those who claim disability and then are actually working cash in hand somewhere. This poor man has had enough to cope with he should be being supported to look at getting back into work when he is fit and able which I am sure he wants to do. There are far more people in this country who get away with doing nothing driving around in flash cars, signing on etc etc. Give the guy a break and give him his entitlement.
I agree with you regarding Mr. Gilligan's plight, but believe me, you don't drive around in flash cars by signing-on!

a reasonable sort of chap says...
6:37pm Thu 17 May 12

RollandSmoke wrote:
a reasonable sort of chap wrote:
The vindictive Tory cuts are driving people to suicide: http://www.thetelegr aphandargus.co.uk/ne ws/9707311.Benefit_l oss_leads_to_suicide _attempt/
This is only the tip of a very large iceberg. A freedom of information request by the Mirror revealed that over a thousand people died last year within six weeks of coming into contact with ATOS. There are certain circumstances where ATOS keeps no records of what happens to people after their assesments so the figure could be much higher. If this was Swine flu the media would be screaming about it being a pandemic. Instead the government continues to hand ATOS £100m per annum.

http://blogs.mirror.

co.uk/
investigations/2012/


04/32-die-a-week-aft


er-failing-in.html
Population reduction is part of their plan. They want to kill off as many of us as possible.

huxley1 says...
9:47pm Thu 17 May 12

a reasonable sort of chap wrote:
huxley1 wrote:
Right wing troll's ?
You don't have to be right wing to see when someones using the system because it's more money than unemployment benefit. Some of us left wingers are sick of it as well.
Just because some people can't see why the hell he can't work given the right job ?

Losing one leg especially below the knee is not a major disability long term. There's no reason why he can't do any number of jobs. That's the issue here that the benefit should only be paid to people who are too ill to work. He isn't. There's no argument over it he can work and if that's the case he's not entitled.
Ok, let's cut off YOUR leg and see how YOU go on...
I lost mine in a bike accident 6 years ago thanks smart **** so
I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT

Funny how you idiots just assume things.

a reasonable sort of chap says...
12:20am Fri 18 May 12

huxley1 wrote:
a reasonable sort of chap wrote:
huxley1 wrote:
Right wing troll's ?
You don't have to be right wing to see when someones using the system because it's more money than unemployment benefit. Some of us left wingers are sick of it as well.
Just because some people can't see why the hell he can't work given the right job ?

Losing one leg especially below the knee is not a major disability long term. There's no reason why he can't do any number of jobs. That's the issue here that the benefit should only be paid to people who are too ill to work. He isn't. There's no argument over it he can work and if that's the case he's not entitled.
Ok, let's cut off YOUR leg and see how YOU go on...
I lost mine in a bike accident 6 years ago thanks smart **** so
I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT

Funny how you idiots just assume things.
and did you get thrown off the sick before you were fully recovered?

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