My 20yr old step daughter doesn't leave the house and I'm receiving dead ends

ber

She's been through a lot but without her claiming anything we're splitting the week with her mom. She was sent to camhs as a child and told she couldn't have medicine as she was too young. Now social services won't help, without her seeing a doctor (impossible) plus Any medication will have to be paid for. Plus if she gets toothache they'll want money just to look. 

Where do I go. She gets the runs if she has to go out and it's happened quite a few times.
This is a child half my age with greyer hair than me.
Please help me
Where do I turn 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @berry123

I am so sorry to hear your step daughter is having issues. I would encourage you to try and get a GP appointment for them. Can I ask why is it that your having difficulty? 

ber

The adult support worker won't even come and see what help is needed until she sees a doctor. Thing is she's not claiming anything, therefore if she's given medication we'll have to pay for it. She was referred to camhs as a teen-ager at high school but they wouldn't help or give her any medication,as she was too young. It's so hard to get her to leave the house. As she has ibs and has had quite a few accidents.

ber

She's like a twig and has skin paler than Dracula 

poppy123456

You don't need to be claiming anything to apply for NHS low income scheme, this will then qualify her for free NHS treatment, such as dentist, prescriptions, eye tests.

However, If she's not a student then is there any reason why she's not claiming any benefits in her own right? As an adult who isn't working she'll be entitled to the Universal Credit of £292.11/month.

She will need to report her health condition and provide a fit note (formally sick note) within 7 days of that. She will then need to go through the work capability assessment. If she's found to have Limited capability for work related activity then she'll be entitled to an extra £390.06/month from the 4th month of her claim.

If she's unable to manage her own claim i'd advise you to start a claim on her behalf as if you were her. It can be claimed online and it will be a digital claim. Once the claim is submitted then you can add a message onto her journal to ask to become her appointee. Someone will then contact you to arrange this.

There's some information in the links provided. https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-quick-guide/universal-credit-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition

She will then be entitled to free NHS treatment, including prescriptions. (as she doesn't work and has no income)

Once that claim is done you can look at claiming PIP for her. (assuming you don't live in Scotland) It's a disability benefit paid to those that have a health condition that affects the finactional ability against the PIP descriptors. It's not means tested so won't affect any UC payments. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf

A successful claim could take quite a few months.

Sorry this is a long comment but if you have any questions please do ask.

ber

U are amazing thank you. The help I've had in less than 24hrs from here is outstanding. Really appreciate everything you have done ✅ 👍

OverlyAnxious

It still baffles me that we have a 'health' service that is only accessible to people who are well enough to travel to specific places at specific times as well as managing new people and new buildings, and then verbalise their issues effectively.

Sad to say I don't think you'll find any medical input unless she can get out.  Would she be able to manage a video call?  Even then, you'll most likely just end up being 'sign-posted' round in circles without any useful practical input.  I'm in a very similar situation myself.

ber

On the phone to the doctors over an hour to get through to be told nothing left for today. This is a joke and they say that it's the young ones who are getting depressed and anxious!!!! Where is the help then? Overlyanxious Ur so right 

poppy123456

ber said:

U are amazing thank you. The help I've had in less than 24hrs from here is outstanding. Really appreciate everything you have done ✅ 👍

You're welcome and thank you. Happy to help. Were you able to start a claim for UC for her today? The sooner you claim, the sooner she gets some money. Her first payment will be 1 month and 6 days after you submit her claim. She can ask for an advance payment but this does need to be repaid back from future payments.

I know she's unable to go out but she'll still need her own money to buy the things she wants.

With regards to the fit note, are you able to ask a pharmacist or nurse from her GP surgery? It doesn't have to be a GP now. I'd advise you to ring the GP surgery tomorrow morning and just ask them for a fit note for her, tell them she's unable to attend the surgery herself.

ber

I'm so sorry I've been quiet for some reason all my emails went to spam. She's with her mom til Friday so I'm not sure what they have done. 
Plus it's her 20th today. I'm waiting to hear if they got through.

Chloe_Alumni

Hi @ber and welcome to the community. I'm glad others were able to offer some advice. I just wanted to check in to see how things were going.