Sunday, May 25, 2014

Court dismisses DWP delaying tactics


From the Disability News Service

Disabled activists have accused the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of “deplorable” behaviour, after it tried – and failed – to delay legal attempts to reduce the discriminatory impact of its controversial “fitness for work” test.

A tribunal decided this week that the long-running case taken by two people with mental health conditions – DM and MM – should conclude with a three-day hearing on 7, 8 and 9 July.

The hearing should finally settle the question of how DWP must address the discrimination experienced by people with mental health conditions, learning difficulties and autism, because of flaws in the work capability assessment (WCA) process.

The assessment tests eligibility for employment and support allowance (ESA), but thousands of people with mental distress have been found unfairly fit for work, and have had relapses, episodes of self-harm or suicide attempts as they pass through the WCA system.

More:
http://disabilitynewsservice.com/2014/05/court-dismisses-dwp-delaying-tactics/