This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/woman-whose-amnesia-makes-her-think-every-day-is-15-october-2014-declared-fit-to-work-by-dwp-10493269.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Woman whose amnesia makes her think every day is 15 October 2014 declared 'fit to work' by DWP Woman whose amnesia makes her think every day is 15 October 2014 denied disability benefits
(about 21 hours later)
A woman whose medical condition leaves her thinking every day is 15 October 2014 has been declared “fit to work” by the Department for Work and Pensions. A woman whose medical condition leaves her thinking every day is 15 October 2014 has had her disability benefits reduced by the Department for Work and Pensions after a reassessment.
BBC News reports that Nikki Pegram, from Northamptonshire, has suffered from extreme memory loss since an accident a year ago.BBC News reports that Nikki Pegram, from Northamptonshire, has suffered from extreme memory loss since an accident a year ago.
Ms Pegram, 28, hit her head in a fall and now has anterograde amnesia, which makes it impossible for her brain to create new memories.Ms Pegram, 28, hit her head in a fall and now has anterograde amnesia, which makes it impossible for her brain to create new memories.
This condition, in its extreme form, leads to an almost complete inability to recall the recent past.This condition, in its extreme form, leads to an almost complete inability to recall the recent past.
Ms Pegram, who believes every day is the day of her fall, survives by taking notes and reading a diary every morning.Ms Pegram, who believes every day is the day of her fall, survives by taking notes and reading a diary every morning.
But since the fall she has been declared fit to work after being reassessed for Personal Independence Payment, which she previously claimed for physical disabilities that led to her fall. But since the fall she has had her payments cut after being reassessed for Personal Independence Payment, which she previously claimed for physical disabilities that led to her fall.
Nikki Pegram suffers from anterograde amnesia (ITV) “She was declared fit for work because she can walk 200m and she can talk without prompting,” Ms Pegram’s partner Chris Johnston told BBC News.Nikki Pegram suffers from anterograde amnesia (ITV) “She was declared fit for work because she can walk 200m and she can talk without prompting,” Ms Pegram’s partner Chris Johnston told BBC News.
Fitness to work tests, or “Work Capability Assessments”, for disability benefits have come under scrutiny in recent months after a spate of negative stories about them. The decision reflects similar controversies over fitness to work tests, or “Work Capability Assessments”, for another disability benefit, Employment and Support Allowance.
Figures released by the Government in August showed that thousands of people had died within weeks of being found fit to work, though no causality could be implied from the figures.Figures released by the Government in August showed that thousands of people had died within weeks of being found fit to work, though no causality could be implied from the figures.
The Work Capability Assessment appeals system has also been fraught with controversy with a very high rate of overturns and delays lasting months and blamed for hardship.The Work Capability Assessment appeals system has also been fraught with controversy with a very high rate of overturns and delays lasting months and blamed for hardship.
In 2012 a government advisor appointed to review the Government’s Work Capability Assessment said the tests were causing suffering by sending sick people back to work inappropriately.In 2012 a government advisor appointed to review the Government’s Work Capability Assessment said the tests were causing suffering by sending sick people back to work inappropriately.
The tests are said to have improved since then, but as recently as this summer they are still coming in for criticism.The tests are said to have improved since then, but as recently as this summer they are still coming in for criticism.
In June the British Psychological Society said there was “now significant body of evidence that the WCA is failing to assess people’s fitness for work accurately and appropriately”. It called for a full overhaul of the way the tests are carried out.In June the British Psychological Society said there was “now significant body of evidence that the WCA is failing to assess people’s fitness for work accurately and appropriately”. It called for a full overhaul of the way the tests are carried out.
The WCA appeals system has also been fraught with controversy with a very high rate of overturns and delays lasting months and blamed for hardship. That WCA appeals system has also been fraught with controversy with a very high rate of overturns and delays lasting months and blamed for hardship.
The DWP says Ms Pedram is entitled to appeal the decision. bA DWP spokesperson said: “Personal independence payment is awarded on the basis of how someone's condition affects them rather than simply on the condition itself. PIP is paid to disabled people whether they are fit to work or not, while ESA is primarily an out-of-work benefit.
The DWP says Ms Pedram is entitled to appeal the decision. A DWP spokesperson said: “Personal independence payment is awarded on the basis of how someone's condition affects them rather than simply on the condition itself.
“Decisions are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and any information provided by the claimant and their GP.”“Decisions are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and any information provided by the claimant and their GP.”
This article was updated to better reflect the terminology used by the DWP and make the distinction between PIP and ESA clearer