WCA

beegirl90s

Hello, I sent a UC50 form with extensive medical evidence - on multiple disabling conditions. Included consultant letters on physical conditiosn and also a letter from a mental health consultant asking they do a paperbased assessment.

A relative called for an update adn he was asked to book an appointment, for a phone wca thena dn there. They then said they are still waiting for information from my gp, so there is a chance it couild go to paperbased but i could book an apopintment now. I am very confused as it is, as things seemed to go round in circles when i was listening.

I ahve contacted the gp and asked if they could write a letter requesting paperbased.

I can't handle inteactions and theyv'e said i would have to answer every question and no one can speak for me or it would be an incomplete assessment and would end up cancelling the claim if i didn;t full engage. But i can;t fully engage. even the work coach calls, my friend has to do most of it as i am so distressed.

I can;t cope - i am terrified of a van that's eben parked outside for three dasys, scared it is them watching me. I can;t eat, i'm panicked all night. I'm fighting not to self harm but it's a huge struggle now.

beegirl90s

i have minimal self employed eork i do from home and mostly from bed. some days nothing as i am too unwell but when i do feel well i do a few minnutes here ad there. i am notgainfulyl self employed, it's not much at all. But can I ask them to cancel to uc50 process and give me a self employed start up period instead? or do they make you go in for face to face with that? in reality i cant increase what i am doing, but is there some thing where self employed people can have a period where they can get uc for a year?

Holly_Scope

Hi @beegirl90s that does sound a bit confusing that they've suggested booking the meeting ahead of receiving the information from your GP. Is it for plenty of time in the future to allow your GP to present that information?

Have you thought about arranging with your friend to speak to Citizens Advice or Turn2us about the best possible option for you to take with your forms and self employment. They might be able to give you some advice that helps put your mind at ease.

I'm really sorry that the interactions are causing you so much worry, I think you should be able to take somebody with you to the appointment for moral support. I know that probably doesn't fully resolve it for you, but hopefully it helps having that support. This is clearly causing you lots of additional stress and upset - especially with the van worry. I'm going to pop you an email imminently - please keep an eye out for it.

I know it's sometimes easier said than done, but please make sure you allow yourself some breathing space from this. Try to do something nice for yourself that makes you feel a little better. 💛

beegirl90s

thankyou, it is really comfusing, ym son was struggling to understand also. They said there would be a hone apppointment and do i want to book that now, but then said they are waiting for more information from the gp, and hadn't received everything yet. It felt like they talked in circles and my son is sure they havent made a decision about an assessment yet, even thought they started out trying to book one, but he's confused too. I have a new diagnosis since applying, so theyve given me an email to send that to, and a gp latter if they wrote one for me. The mental health team wont write as they discharged me because i was too physically unwell to attend! i do have a letter eplainign that though but it's a year old now.

beegirl90s

they also said I can;t ahve anyne with me fr the appointment unless i make them an appointee, but reading other people's posts I dont think that is the case at all.

Holly_Scope

Surely not @beegirl90s. As long as you make them aware beforehand that you'd like to bring someone along. I've found the below that might be helpful to you:

The right to be accompanied to Jobcentre appointments - DPAC

It mentions your rights to take someone along with you. There are some good templates for letters on there too which quote some key rights etc.

beegirl90s

Hello, That is very helpful. thank you. If I do go ahead with the assessment then I can have a template printed out to read ot them if they say no one can be with me.