My work coach is rude

megslou

Hi!

Hopefully I could get some advice on my Universal Credit claim, more specifically my work coach.

I was diagnosed with Agoraphobia and Emetophobia around four years ago, and I’m currently getting a test for OCD, which I think has caused the two.

My work coach is adamant that I ‘push myself’ past my boundaries just so that I can get to work, not for my own benefit. I’ve told her countless times that Agoraphobia exposure therapy is a slow process, that every further step I make needs practice because if I go too far past my boundaries, I can fall back to the beginning and have to start it all over again. She ignores everything I say about my health, and she kept giving me the cold shoulder, as if she didn’t believe a word I was saying.

I’m honestly considering ending my claim because it’s making my depression way, way worse than it already is, because I feel that she’s judging me constantly and refusing to acknowledge how severe my Agoraphobia is. What do I do?

Kimmy87

You can make a complaint online about your Work Coach

https://makeacomplaint.dwp.gov.uk/

Albus_Scope

Really sorry to hear that @megslou that's totally unfair of the work coach, agoraphobia doesn't work that way!

As Kimmy has said, you can make an official complaint against them. You can also ask for a new work coach , but they don't have to agree to it, but it would be well worth asking.

Faithlong

I am sorry you’ve not been treated with the empathy and understanding you deserve. But you have to fight for yourself, this person isn’t a medical professional and agoraphobia is a serious illness and if you push yourself too hard you risk getting much worse. Look into complaining about her and use firm words to express yourself. Good luck

rbz

If you attend UC office - try to record your discussion with UC staff.

Otherwise your complaint will be useless because of "no evidence".

Of course after complaining - UC staff should work better.

But with strong evidence you can ask for compensation during further escalation.

IndignantPigeon

Hi Megslou, sounds like you've really been put through the mill by her! I agree entirely with the others, don't give up, put in a complaint and they should give you a different work coach. Sounds like this work coach has only one objective: to get people like you off her books, no matter what effect it has on them. I bet they have targets they need to reach and she sees you as a way to get to her target.

So you have to stand your ground - don't let them bully you, you're more than a number to be ticked off her list. She's not a qualified health professional, how would she know? Put in a complaint and let them know you won't be bullied like this. You can do it online, there's a lot of guidance out there, citizens advice has a very good page on this. The other thing you should do is contact your doc or other health professional and ask them to provide something in writing to explain why it would be harmful for you to go full tilt into a working situation. If they ask why you need it, tell them about your treatment with this work coach. Your advisor's an idiot, don't let her push you around. Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

Jane315STARX

How awful.I hope you manage to get somewhere with thus.Dont give up.Im sureva different person will see things in a completely different light x