Ill health retirement

[cantonkid1955]

Having been medically retired from Parcelforce,a job I loved doing for over 20 years,with chronic and deforming osteoarthritis in both knees and hips,I have been assessed by both ATOS and Capita and declared as unfit for any work due to severe walking difficulties,I was advised by the union to apply for Employment Support Allowance to keep my NICs up to date..after being medically assessed for ESA by Maximus,an American company contracted by the DWP to do medical assesments,they completely ignored my consultants report stating that under the Disability Discrimination Act,I would be considered as disabled.and all supporting medical evidence,they have declared me as fit for work because,,and I quote,,,they have stated that as I can use a self propelled wheelchair for 200 metres I am therefore not entitled to ANY benefits and I have to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance..Now,,I am due to have surgery in January 2016.,who is going to employ me?..and more to the point,,Why would I leave a job I have loved to claim Job seekers allowance.I have NEVER claimed a single penny from the state since I have left school in 1972..and I personally feel disgusted by the attitude of the DWP that,after me paying in hundreds of thousands of pounds over the course of my working life then they,,in MY hour of need completely disregard all and every piece of supporting evidence from medical professionals,,so now we are facing the perverse situation of people who have NEVER paid a single bean into the system being invited into this country and being handed houses and benefits whilst those of us being forced to retire early through ill health being told to get stuffed.

[russellheaton1]

i am just about to go through the same experiance as you. at parcelforce for some 8 years now facing ihr and dont know what the future holds .
quite likley will wind up on benefit of some sort cant walk too well and may never again im 56 and dont know if they will give me retirement with
pension or just retire with lump sum to get pension later at 60 got my union friends on the case but its a worry whats going to happen in the future
may never work or drive again can you keep in touch and we will tread this scary path together .