Video reassessment letter just after managed migration to UC letter

whybother1983

I I have been on esa wrag since around 2013 I think and I received a managed migration letter I have to migrate to UC before 11th September, it’s been worrying me sick ever since it came,

The last esa 50 my sister filled in for me was from dec 2023 and only a few days ago a letter came saying I have a video assessment this Friday. It’s had me worried beyond belief ever since it came I don’t know how I will get on with this over video call, my sister will be here to help me get thru it but it’s all I think about 24/7 and I don’t know when is best to migrate now or wait till September like I was going too. Any advice would be great.

Doglover2

Is it the fact its a video call that frightens you? Or in general? Maybe over the phone would be best for you and you could ask for a reasonable adjustment?so you'd need to phone esa pronto and see if it can be changed, Maybe some of the others on here would know better. I couldn't possible do a video call,no way.

I'm leaving my migration to uc as close to the end of the three months as I can ,as others have said to do, the day after my last esa payment is when I'll do the online uc form.

Its on my mind 24-7 too it has been forc yrs since uc was introduced.

The Very Best to you. X

whybother1983

hi thanks for your response it’s just in general these assessments always worry me beyond belief. I still ain’t got over the days of Atos scoring zero points every time and having to appeal, I’m trying to think positive as I passed my last two assessments but in the time since iv just got my prescriptions and never been to the drs because they haven’t made me and I don’t go out unless It’s 100% unavoidable and then I have to bother my sister to come take me etc it’s a nitemare.
I just thought with the migration letter comming I’d have 3 months to get my head around that and this last minute assessment aswell as the thaught of universal credit changeover it’s just too much but I guess iv got no choice to try and get through it.
thanks again.

Doglover2

@whybother1983 I hear you on the assessments, they trigger me badly. Our Pip assessment center is a horrible place which dosent help. My last two were phone assessments. I've had two tribunals and an MR I did myself and got pip back,but its due for renewal this yr or early next. Terrified. I was on indefinite dla previously after 6-7 assessments.

I don't go out either and never alone. I don't walk anywhere due to mobility problems and MH and other issues. I'm so lucky my nephew walks my doggo with his and takes him to my parents huge garden. I feel so guilty as I loved being with my dogs,now single dog, outdoors.

I'm Dreading the change to uc as its gonna be close to the pip thing too. I've desperate confusion sensory overload and brain fog, blurred vision off and on throughout the day. So it all tends to slow things down and I cant take much in. Just know you aren't alone in all of this and a lot of us sorced zero or v low points initially, I feel its a ploy so we give up. But don't, the relief felt once its all over is worth it. We can't live on fresh air so we have to fight on.

The best of luck and love to you and to all of us who have a battle to get through. X

Doglover2

@whybother1983 And do let me know how it went. Breathe, take your time,don't let them rush you. If you need to refer to notes do so, if your sis prompts you let her. It may not be as bad as you anticipate. The unknown is what we all fear. X

whybother1983

it may not happen at all my sister has been checking her iPad for the video link thing and it says it’s ready but the image is flashing on and off. I’m sure there trying to make people even more ill then they are with these video things. They want to see you but it’s not possible if it doesn’t work ahh shoot me now iv been up all nite not slept a wink and it’s only Wednesday 😭

Kimi87

I've not had a video assessment, but it's quite possible that the video link won't be "live" until the appointment day & time.

whybother1983

apparently it’s normal to be dodgy till the live video. But now they have put it back a few weeks there sending a new appointment out. They love leaving you not knowing what’s happening don’t they lol. Took about 19 months from esa50 for that last letter with a weeks notice 🤯

whybother1983

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1046595#Comment_1046595

just an update it never happened they haven’t sent another appointment out, but I have begun migration and the uc LCW is horrible now I have a monthly work coach appointment to deal with where as before it was three months at the shortest between calls. It demoralising that and not knowing what’s happening with the assessment.

Kimi87

You can contact the assessment agency directly to see what's happening with your assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider

Drausus

Hey man! I hope you are ok, could you ask your GP to write you a letter stating that they believe there would be a substantial risk to your mental health if you were not found to have LCWRA? this seems to fit your circumstances, I know of a good phew people this has worked for.

https://wcainfo.net/issues/substantial-risk-lcwra

whybother1983

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1070116#Comment_1070116

I have no idea what I’m gonna do about it I think next appointment I’ll have my sister there to help but this uc migration and the journal and texts off them are causing way too much worry and stress then it’s worth.

What really annoys me is I know people that got put on lcwra and pip during lockdown for anxiety that’s never had a single wca that ain’t even on medication or seen a dr for it that are still on it today and the Dwp are coming for people who’s been thru years off assessments etc the second there moved to uc. That’s the universal credit lottery

Albus_Scope

I think the best course of action here is to take a step back from it all, as it'll just be making you more ill to be constantly thinking about it. It's a lot on new information to take in. Hopefully you'll be able to get some decent answers with your sister there next week.

I have really bad anxiety, I'm not taking any medication for it, but I have been seen by specialists about it. Sometimes people just wont tell you if they have spoken to a doctor about things, it's best not to assume.

whybother1983

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1070515#Comment_1070515

yeah that’s probs good advice. But in regards to not assuming I wasn’t there must have been a time when they was just putting people in the lcwra and on pip with no assessment or anything because I know atleast two individuals that’s told me so. Iv told both they don’t know how lucky they was because the normal process is demoralising even with help.
thanks for your reply.

Albus_Scope

It's possible they had paper based assessments @whybother1983 and didn't need a call or face to face?

whybother1983

You would have to be on deaths door for that senario tho and I wasn’t making it up one person told me yesterday that they have just had their first ever pip review after 5 years on pip and scored 0 points, still never been to their gp or seen anyone about their mental health and still on lcwra and is worried incase they get a uc50 for that now and rightly so because they would score 0 It had to be because of lockdown that people got put on those benefits with minimum scrutiny I don’t even think I should be discussing this as it irrelevant really is there a way to delete this account?

Rosie_Scope

Hi @whybother1983, if you'd like to delete your account you can send an email to community@scope.org.uk and we'll get that sorted for you.