A 'health Assessor' Lied About Me To Take Me Off Benefits

[Beks]

So I had a review of my illnesses last week by the benefits people, and today I get a letter of what the assessor said - he lied from start to finish, basically saying that I had said how fantastic Im doing, out all the time, fit and healthy and enjoying life, lie lie lie lies. I never said anything of the sort and he never examined me (I wouldnt have let him near me, I hated that they gave me a male assessor) or tested me on my abilities like he claims. He even refers to me as being 'himself' at one point, so clearly its just a copy and pasted report he makes and he forgot to change it from a man to woman. To be honest Im beyond caring that they have cancelled my benefits, I could do with just crawling under a rock somewhere, but I am so livid about the lying. Iv spent my whole life being bullied, belittled and rejected and this just makes me snap and want to do something really horrible to this *bleep*. To make such lies is just pure nasty, when Iv felt like ending it all a few times over the last few months and struggled to even walk and feed myself some days.
I hate myself, because I gradually get better and better over months, get so optimistic, with hiccups I can deal with, and then slam - someone throws me off my feet and im back to starting over. Its like Im not allowed to be ok, or im not allowed to be ill, im not allowed to be anything. I feel like screaming the place down but not allowed.
I took revenge on the letter, scribbling LIES! all over it. Many swearwords going through my head today, and feeling i might explode or implode or something.
:(

 

[Friday]

Would sending a letter simply stating

"Clearly, the assessor has mixed up his paperwork, as the person he's referring to in his assessment is male, and I'm female. Also, every other point is incorrect, but that's to be expected, as the person being discussed here -living an active, happy, and healthy life- is not me."

 

[Casey_03]

Is there any way for you to file an official complaint against him? Might not change anything, but at least then it'd be on the record and if he keeps doing this and others complain, he may eventually face the consequences.

What a scumbag.

 

[Beks]

Will try.... and politely

 

[Freedomfighter]

So I had a review of my illnesses last week by the benefits people, and today I get a letter of what the a...

Is there a way that an independent assessor can be employed to clear that mess up for you? It is sad when a patient is abused on top of everything else. I would most certainly attempt to get a second opinion. Do you think a psychologist as a second opinion might be accepted in such cases? Wondering.....

 

[Lucycat]

While you were writing this post, I was watching the movie 'I, Daniel Blake'. I was shocked and horrified by it. Your experience with the benefits people is not unique sadly.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

In my previous life, I worked at a state facility that assessed the functioning levels of individuals to determine their employability and the various therapeutic needs/tools it would take to make and keep them employable. We had to do various reports on each individual and it was widely accepted to copy and paste much of it, which was okay for basic generic information, but never for specific details.

Some folks severe lack of attention to detail in changing what they pasted from report to report was unreal and I'd often find mistakes similar to what you mention. It was like cookie-cutter reporting vs. quality individual assessments with valuable and meaningful information. It infuriated me and I spoke up each time. However, when I brought up my concerns, I was quickly labeled as being a problem employee who could likely benefit from the complimentary counseling services they provide to "get one of their key employees back on track" and my work life was made a living hell from there on out.

Their main concern appeared to be pumping the census numbers through the system at a rate that ensured their funding wouldn't end. Providing the genuine level of high quality individual care for each client that the brochures they kept pumping out continually spoke of and treating each client as a human was my goal each day, but it's also what got me targeted and eventually ill as f*** in trying to stand up against the list of ongoing unethical things I often observed.

I began to notice as each year passed (13+ years), we'd be told the budget no longer supported that level of care as more and more valuable things were being cut and we had to become more creative. Apparently they didn't appreciate but so much creativity. We were repeatedly told we just had to learn to be damn glad we had a job and just do what we had to do to get them through their programs.

There are many genuine caring individuals within those walls and most are truly cared for while there, but there's also a lot of mindless desperate folks just trying to survive paycheck to paycheck with their own overwhelming loads of unmanageable sorrows and it makes for fertile ground of much insubordination. Most folks have been taught not to rock the boat, so much of it goes unmentioned. Many fear losing their jobs and just play along with whatever it takes. It saddens and sickens me.

I say speak up and hold them accountable. It's your life they have in their hands when they type up those reports and they should be made aware of their lack of attention and respect to your healing process. Document every single interaction you have with them, preferably by email as it creates a paper trail much easier to keep up with and their responses to you are in their own words, not simply your interpretation.

Don't let them intimidate you. An outside complaint holds so much more weight. I would also request the rest of the records they have from all the services you used, such as counseling notes, therapist notes, psychiatric notes, any OT/PT, nursing, or otherwise, if there are any. They should have a release of information form you can fill out on their website, if not, call and ask. I'd do that first, then file a complaint.

If they don't seem interested in helping you when you share your concerns of the report, perhaps mention that you feel a call to the local newspaper is in order to have them maybe come look behind the scenes because you feel it very likely isn't the first and only time it's happened, and be prepared to do it. They hate bad publicity. Also, contact an advocate. You should have been given that information when you began services, but if not, google them in your area. If you want any help with wording anything, feel free to private message me. Best wishes in getting it sorted. I'm sorry they're putting you through this. :(

 

[DharmaGirl]

My disability company's "independent" doctor did the same to me. Said that I said I was fully able to go back to work. Lies. An outside assessor, who didn't know which side she was working for - me or the insurance company - found me to be unable to work any job. Hmm.

 

[Beks]

thankyou for your encouragement and insight into what is going on with these assessments. I will send a letter tomorrow, there is no website so will be a slow process.