The Social Insurance Inspectorate criticizes the Swedish Social Insurance Agency on several points.
Among other things, this is a wording that may indicate that the Swedish Social Insurance Agency interprets the law too harshly.
- It exactly matches my feeling.
This formulation, I have seen it as many times as I can, says specialist doctor Håkan Odeberg who works in Nyköping.
"Should be put beyond any reasonable doubt"
He now spends almost all of his working time meeting patients and writing medical certificates to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, and he says that he feels like a reverse criminal lawyer.
- It must be beyond any reasonable doubt that my patient has a reduced ability to work.
I have patients who cannot manage a daily activity that is still denied activity and sickness compensation, he says.
Do you think that the Swedish Social Insurance Agency sets the bar for the evidentiary requirements too high?
- Yes, it's quite obvious.
Many times, as a specialist doctor, I believe that it is proven that the person does not have the ability to work.
But the Swedish Social Insurance Agency still writes that it is not proven.
"Many are supported by their parents"
SVT Nyheter's review has shown that many people with a disability are forced to apply for money from the social services to be able to afford food and rent.
In 2018, there were 850 people.
In 2019, it had increased to 1,085 people.
- I'm not surprised.
I meet many patients who are without income.
To the extent that they have someone to help them, they can apply for maintenance support, but many also stay at home with their parents who help provide for them, says specialist doctor Håkan Odeberg.
Håkan Odeberg believes that the change came when the regulation letter was reformulated.
This is where the government sends control signals to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency.
- It was a dramatic change.
That was the turning point, I feel.
In the video, we tell how a small wording can have major consequences for people with disabilities.