@Atos #atos - A double amputee from Perth left “penniless” after a government department declared him fit to work. Disabled Alex Scott (42), from Craigie, who has lost both his legs below the knee, blasted benefits test firm Atos Origin, who quizzed him on his fitness on the Department for Work and Pensions - DWP’ behalf. They gave Mr Scott nil points on his test ‘score’ in March and recommended his benefits be stopped - leaving him without any means to pay for food, gas, electricity or rent. Mr Scott, who lost his left leg in 2006 and his right in 2011, said he has had to rely on hand-outs and the generosity of friends since the ruling came into effect. “It’s disgusting - I’ve got no electricity in the meter, and no food in the freezer,” he raged yesterday. “I’ve been told there is not a bit of money that I can get from anywhere to help me. It’s ridiculous that this government, in this day and age, can leave a disabled person without a penny to their name. “I’ve only got my friends to care for me now. I have to scrounge meals and stay with them.” Mr Scott, who was born with the congenital condition talipes, more commonly known as club foot, appealed the decision and was invited to attend a tribunal hearing in Dundee. But when Mr Scott informed the hearing he could not attend due to illness, a decision to uphold the Atos ruling was made in his absence. “I had further evidence to give at that hearing – the stuff Atos have put down on their form is a load of rubbish,” he blasted. “They’ve put down that I can do things which I can’t do anymore. But the people at that hearing have just looked at the same form again and decided I can work. “They obviously didn’t care about the evidence I had and they just went ahead without me and upheld the decision.” Mr Scott, who also suffers from debilitating muscle spasms which can last up to an hour, claimed he had also been let down by Perth & Kinross Council (PKC), who moved him into a ground floor flat following his release from hospital in 2011. “They told me I should be getting an occupational therapist to see me every six months – but I’ve not had anybody near me,” he said. “The flat is no good for me either, because my wheelchair is too wide for the doorways. When I turn into a room, I take big chunks out the side of my door. “I’ve told the council this, but they don’t seem to care. I’ve not heard any word back if they’re doing anything for me. “It’s as if nobody cares these days. Everybody’s out for themselves. It’s a sad state this country’s in.” Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service said: “The tribunal considered Mr Scott’s request to adjourn but decided to determine the appeal on papers. “This was a judicial decision based on the evidence available. The provision to proceed in an appellant’s absence is covered by tribunal rules. “The original decision was upheld. With his decision notice Mr Scott will have received guidance notes as to what he can do next if not satisfied with the decision.” A PKC spokesperson said: “Work capability assessments are a matter for ATOS. We always look to deliver appropriate therapeutic support and provide housing adaptations as necessary, depending on people’s needs. “We’ve made every effort to maintain contact with Mr Scott and will be in touch again.”
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:51:15 +0000
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