Universal credit

lilliepoo68

My husband and I applied for universal credit on July. My husband is self employed but not much money coming in. I suffer from arthritis bin hips, impingement and bladder problem and problems with my hand . Also my anxiety is really bad. I went to the JC and had a melt down crying and panicking. I now have phone calls , but constantly bullying me on to work. I filled out uc50 and have a health assessment on Wednesday 17th by phone. I always crying and fill I'll all the time.  UC called me today talking about doing a better cv and said as far as I know I've not seen you in a wheelchair so you can work..
And set a date for 2 Nd nov with support group by phone to get me into work. I'm at my wit's end.. I just can't cope...

Albus_Scope

Hi @lilliepoo68 and welcome to the community!

I'm sorry to hear you're having such a rough time with the job centre, I've been in the same position myself, so know how much it can make the anxiety a million times worse! it's the pits! 

Have you been getting fit notes from your doctor to give to the JC?  

lilliepoo68

Yes I've sent 3 fit notes
July-aug

Aug- sept
And sept to end of oct

lilliepoo68

Thank you albus. So kind of you 

bg844

That's quite appalling from the Job Centre. Wheelchair bound or not, it really isn't for them to say whether or not you're fit for work. The unfortunate thing is that until you have had a decision on your Capability to Work then you are still treated as a job seeker and ultimately in that period it's down to your Work Coach to either reduce or turn commitments off altogether. After you have been assessed, a report will go to your Case Manager to make the decision of whether or not you're fit for work and you will be issued with a decision letter via your journal. There are 3 groups you can be placed in, fit for work, LCW which means they accept you aren't fit right now but expect you to be in the future and you will be required to 'prepare' rather than 'search' and LCWRA which means you won't be expected to search or prepare for work and you won't have a Work Coach.

I do expect you to have had a decision by the 2nd November however and I hope that you do get awarded so you don't need to attend.

In the meantime, keep on giving in fit notes with no gaps until you have received that decision letter as I have said above. Good luck and if you need anything else, please do ask.

lilliepoo68

Thank you bg844
I have now got another appointment made by the JC with careers services to help with CV on 10th Oct and appointment on the 3rd Oct with my coach. As well as another one on the 2nd nov... I'm finding this so hard to deal with. But I would like to thank everyone for their kindness

Have a phone call health assessment next weds.. I feel really nervous about this as well 

lilliepoo68

People don't seem to understand that's cos you look ok from the outside, don't know how you feel inside 😢

Albus_Scope

@lilliepoo68 I really get you there.  Invisible illnesses are so hard to prove to people, even though we shouldn't have to prove them to anyone. And proving them to others can often make things worse mentally. So it's a vicious circle. 

 But you're amongst friends here and we're all here to support and help each other. So if you need a hand, please just shout.