As a long term sufferer of mental health problems and a benefit recipient, I would like to share my frustration and anger with Epsom Guardian readers concerning my personal experience with the coalition government’s welfare reform programme.

I was on Income Support based on ill health and because I failed the Government’s work capability assessment last November, I was informed by letter in December that I was not entitled to the replacement benefit of Employment and Support Allowance. Consequently the Department of Work & Pensions decided that my benefit would be stopped in January 2013 and I faced the prospect of being destitute.

With the support of my mental health team at Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS, I lodged an appeal. I am pleased to say my appeal was successful. I am now receiving Employment and Support Allowance.

The past six weeks have been absolutely horrid. While going through the appeal process my benefit was cut by 30%. At times I felt physically sick with all the stress attached to such a draconian reduction in benefit income. I found it very hard to sleep with the worry of being unable to pay my bills and feed myself. 

I am shocked and angered to think that the coalition Government’s welfare reform programme can have such a negative impact on the wellbeing of those suffering with long term mental health problems.

In my view the Department of Work & Pensions work capability assessment is seriously flawed when assessing people with mental health issues. How can it be right for ATOS healthcare  contracted by the DWP to carry out the work capability assessment, be allowed to decide your fate without knowing your medical history and based on 30 minutes of questioning which is more designed to assess physical health?

This cruel system has exacerbated my fragile mental state. It has put me in a very dark place. As part of my recovery, I want to work but need support and help in achieving this.

I call on the government to re-think its work capability assessment for people suffering mental health problems and encourage readers of the Guardian affected by the issues raised here to seek help from your GP, Surrey & Borders Partnership or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.


Edmund O’Leary
Epsom