On the sick!!!!!!!!?

Question

I have a friend who works, his wife is on the sick and claiming Incapacity benefit because she gets "dizzy spells"?, she drives a car, why can't she work or how has she kept her driving license?
I find this quite worrying.

Bubu, it is my business, I am paying tax to fund her and I have to drive my car on the same roads.

Answer 1

Yes the incapacity benefit (IB) is entirely flawed!!! What I have noticed is that since job seekers allowance was introduced some years ago (replacing unemployment benefit) although the numbers of unemployed people has declined, the number of people receiving IB has increased. People who do not want to work make up illnesses in order to claim IB. When making a claim for IB the only neccessary documentation that is required to make a claim is a letter from your doctor saying that you are unable to work. Doctors hand these out like smarties (in my opinion). People are not sent for re-assessment frequently enough! And also there are some illness whereby it is difficult to know if the person is genuinely ill because they are easy to fake (e.g. back pain, depression, panic disorder). I believe there needs to be more intensive assessment on a more frequent basis in order to claim benefits. Take depression for example, people who suffer mild to moderate depression it would do them the world of good to be out working - they will have less time to mope around getting depressed and having a job will give them more confidence and self-esteem, thus reducing their symptomes of depression!

I think you should report this woman! it makes me sick when people unfairly claim benefits - it is us tax payers that have to pay for them to not work!!!

And for all the people who say mind your own business, it is this kind of attitude that allows people to continuously claim benefits illegally! Don't you realise it is your tax money that she is claiming illegally!!

Answer 2

Probably the only reason she still HAS a driving license is because she has not informed the DVLA. Either that, or she has contacted the DVLA and her Doctor has also written to them confirming her ability to keep driving. The latter takes a couple of weeks to get sorted out though, so it's more likely she hasn't informed them. This is very dodgy as it will invalidate any insurance she has. I would have a quiet word with your friend and just ask whether he thinks it's a good idea for her to drive or has she informed the Dr that she has continued to drive? Maybe you could phrase it in a way that implies you are worried about her health and insurance.

I have Narcolepsy and have to send my driving license back to the DVLA every 3 years, whereby they contact my Neurologist to get his opinion on my capability to operate a motor vehicle. That's how I know how long the process generally takes.

Answer 3

I think she deserves a good old slap.

If we all try hard enough I am sure we could all devise some incapacitating reason why we cannot work, however continue on with life as usual outside of that.

It is a blatant abuse of a system in place to provide for the truly incapacitated. I would report her to the insurer or governing body handling her claim. Why should we have to pay for an able bodied person not to work.

Answer 4

To Fretting Not "Take depression for example, people who suffer mild to moderate depression it would do them the world of good to be out working - they will have less time to mope around getting depressed and having a job will give them more confidence and self-esteem, thus reducing their symptomes of depression!"

This is the biggest load of crap I have ever witnessed. Obiously written by someone with no experience of depression.

I suffer with depression - have done for a long time - I also work and have a family - and believe me - when it hits you there is nothing in the world that can make you feel better.

Again - an ill informed answer - answers need knowledge - something you obviously dont have - Fretting Not

Answer 5

I thought that if you were co-habiting then if your household income was above a certain amount each week then you werent entitled to claim benefit regardless if you get 'dizzy spells'. The DWP should be ashamed of themselves as it doesnt sound like she is very incapable to me. She is obviously lying to DVLA and taking tax payers money. It sounds to me like she is a workophobe and is lazy and wants to sit on her bum all day.

Answer 6

What has happened is that she has been signed off sick by her doctor, which is fine if she is genuinely ill. But just because she is claiming benifits, it doesnt mean the DVLA was informed, they have nothing to do with one another.

But with the introduction of ID cards, you wont have a chance, with one click of a doctors mouse, you could have everything wiped out.

Answer 7

If she gets unexpected dizzy spells then she should have declared it to the DVLA and her insurance company as she should NOT be holding a driving licence. Honestly, if I were you I'd report her to the authorities.

Answer 8

It is the law that any person suffering from any kind of brain probs,have to report it to the DVLA.If you don't do this you risk losing your licence.I have to because i am a diabetic.I have my licence for 3 years,then i am reviewed by the DVLA,to see if i am able to continue to drive.If she doesn't do this you have a right to report her to the DVLA.

Answer 9

i'd report her to the benefits agency & to the dvla.
benefits because she could be taking all my taxes & dvla because dizzy spells & driving don't mix !!!

Answer 10

I find it troubling that people with REAL health issues are being denied disability, while people with something mild, or something they should just "get over" are being handed a green light from the word go.