TOO WEAK TO WORK BUT TOO HEALTHY TO CLAIM

[TrueBlueTerrier]

JOB HUNTER TOLD SHE'S TOO WEAK TO WORK BUT TOO HEALTHY TO CLAIM BENEFITS

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/169 ... m-benefits" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A TEENAGER who was refused a job because she was ruled unfit for work was stunned to be turned down for benefits – for being too healthy.

Incredibly, it was the same team of healthcare experts who made both judgments.

“How can the same people say I’m not fit for work, but too fit to get any support?” said baffled job hunter Nicola Hobbs.

Nicola, 19, who is recovering from a five-year battle with anorexia, was thrilled to win a post at a West Sussex County Council children’s centre. But a routine health check found she was not up to the physical side of the job.

Strapped for cash, jobless Nicola, from Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, applied for employment support allowance only to be judged fit enough for work. Both verdicts came from specialist company Atos Healthcare. When they assessed Nicola for the council job, they ruled: “Until Miss Hobbs’s overall health improves it would be inappropriate for her to be offered regular employment in this role as it maybe beyond her physical capabilities at present.”

But when the Department for Work and Pensions asked Atos to assess Nicola for benefits, they told her: “It has been decided you do not have any limited capability for work.” Nicola said: “It’s ridiculous that the same company can say two completely different things about the same person.

“I was so excited to be offered the job. The last thing I wanted was to be sitting around at home claiming benefits, and I thought a job like this would help to build my confidence. I felt like I was capable of doing it, but then the assessment came back saying I was unfit.”

Nicola’s anorexia meant she spent time in hospital but she is now recovering and doctors backed her decision to look for work. “There are so many contradictions between the assessments,” she said. “The first said there were ‘concerns regarding physical stamina and lifting and carrying capabilities’.

The other said I could ‘pick things up and move them without difficulty’. The first one said I had to avoid physical exertion and prolonged standing, but the second said I could stand and sit without difficulty.” A spokeswoman for Atos Healthcare said: “The two tests have different criteria. The assessment for the Department was carried out in line with Government policy on whether a person is fit for work at all.

“The other assessment was done in line with protocol laid down by the council for that specific job.”

[DirtyHarry]

Atossers, right bunch of cowboys.

[DGP1]

Is anyone really surpised? We know that they just give the answer their paymasters want

[belle smith]

“How can the same people say I’m not fit for work, but too fit to get any support?” said baffled job hunter Nicola Hobbs.

Is this the modern equivelent of pergatory?

[stokes11eg]

This company needs investigated.

[Wessex]

Two sets of fees I presume

[Speedydelivery]

I think it's wrong and they should give her the benefits as she is clearly genuine but they have probably decided that she can't do the job she applied for but can do A job which involves something non physical such as typing etc.

[General Mannerheim]

I`ve already written about my own dealings with Atos where they tried getting rid of me on ill health,then turned round when I had an ESA medical and said I was fit to do ANY work.
All they do is their masters dirty work as it`s worth big bucks,the system they use is called LIMA and is a guarded secret,try and get information about it under the freedom of info act,more brickwalls then Berlin had.