Assessment

Snowflake56

After waiting weeks and expecting a phone call from UC assessment its been cancelled. I have three mental health conditions, so my aniexty is again through the roof, cant stop shaking and crying. I am also disabled with degenerative disc disease lumbar and cervical and lost the use partly of left arm and hand, waiting long term for another Mri oweing to chronic pain i also have asthma and copd, im not receiving much support from anywere and the worry and fear from waiting for this call is making life so miserable living alone and having to worry im not eating or sleeping well at all, terrified im going to lose my home too.Ive got no idea what to expect and tired of having to prove myself when im ill and worked until I got ill.

poppy123456

HI,

I'm sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, cancelations do happen at last minute, even in normal times. I know it definitely doesn't help with any anxiety this causes, it's happened to me but for me, i was on my way to the assessment centre.

Hopefully, you won't be waiting too long for another assessment date, once an appointment becomes available they will contact you.

In the meantime, have you referred yourself to your local council Social Services for a needs assessment? You can do that here. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/getting-a-needs-assessment/

I'm not sure what the process is because of the lockdown but it's a place to start.

Hope this helps.

Snowflake56

Poppy123456 Thankyou for your support its really kind of you. I am so tired and stress makes the pain increase as I cannot relax to sleep, feel like I am living in constant fear. I know the department dealing with it are only doing their job and what the government request but its not easy for those who find their selves alone and in this situation, my mental health is being affected even more. Like so many I have been told to shield and I have since March. I have my annual bowel cancer screening this month so the worry from that too is making me anxious so fingers crossed there too, that nothing has returned and the news is good .

janer1967

Hi there @Snowflake56 sorry your appointment was cancelled and all the other stuff you have going on .

You mentioned you are worried about losing your home why do you think this may happen? Maybe we can offer some advice to help you 

poppy123456

janer1967 said:

Hi there @Snowflake56 sorry your appointment was cancelled and all the other stuff you have going on .

You mentioned you are worried about losing your home why do you think this may happen? Maybe we can offer some advice to help you 

Thanks janer, that's what i came back to ask, after re-reading what was written. @Snowflake56 is your home rented or owned? May i also ask if you're claiming PIP or DLA?

Snowflake56

My home is rented from a housing association. 

janer1967

Why are you concerned about losing it ? 

poppy123456

Are you receiving help for your rent in with your UC payments? Do you have spare bedrooms?

Snowflake56

I have a carer staying over at night time im afraid if I lose my UC I won't be able to keep my home.

janer1967

I am sure you are worrying unnecessarily if your assessment is for work capability even if you dont get the LCWRA payment this wont stop other elements if your UC 

poppy123456

@janer1967 is correct here. Once a decision's made on your work capabiliy assessment, if you're awarded LCWRA then you'll recieve an extra £341 per month from the 4th month of your claim.

If the decision is LCW then your money will remain the same. If you're found fit for work then it will also stay the same, it won't just stop completely.

If you're unhappy with the decision then you will be able to request the Mandatory Reconsideration, followed by Tribunal.

Hope this happy helped a little, at least you now know that you won't loose your home because UC will not just stop, if there's no other income during your assessment period.

Snowflake56

Janer1967 sorry for not understanding please can you explain what LCWRA is, I have only been on UC for a short time oweing to my partner leaving.

janer1967

I presume your assessment us to determine your capability for work due to you declaring a medical condition on your UC and providing fit notes and completing the UC50 form ? 

After the assessment you will be found to be either fit for work or LCW limited capability or LCWRA limited capability for work or work related activity 

As poppy has said above and given you the effect this would have on your UC payments 

Snowflake56

Thankyou for making that clear for me, I just had no idea how it is all done at the dwp. I have calmed down now a little, I suffer with horrendous aniexty. 

poppy123456

It's always a good idea to do some research when claiming benefits such this and PIP because it's complicated process and you need to meet certain specific criteria to be placed into each of the groups. There's some informtion here regarding the assessment. Although it states ESA in the link, it's for work capability assessments, which also applies to the UC one. They are both the same. https://www.chdauk.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-esa

Here's the descriptors here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/3904-limited-capability-for-work-related-activity

Substantial risk, is also a route into the LCWRA group and is explained here. https://wcainfo.net/issues/substantial-risk-lcwra

It is also worth pointing out that with the work capability assessment, sometimes they can't always get enough of information through a telephone assessment alone. If this happens then you'll have to wait until face to face assessments are back up and running again but there's no sign of that happening any time soon. There's been a few members here on the community that this has happened to.

Hope the links help to explain it a little more.

Snowflake56

Thankyou I will go through them all it is daunting when you have no idea how the system is run

poppy123456

You're welcome. Yes, i agree. If you need more help please do just ask

Ross_Scope

Hi @Snowflake56, hope you're doing okay.

I hope the above advice has been helpful, the system can absolutely be confusing at the best of times. 

I hope you have techniques in place to help you manage your mental health, do you receive any support in that area?

Snowflake56

Ross_Scope
My g.p rang not long after I posted and a mental health support worker too. I am finding it difficult handling my mental health and have no real techniques how to cope with them, the least problem can cause significant aniexty, also sometimes dont see anyone in days so overcome with loneliness. 

Ross_Scope

Hi @Snowflake56

I see, have you explained this to your mental health support worker? There might be things they could suggest to you to help you cope with the low moments. 

Have you explored any possibilities of how you might be able to meet and interact with others? I appreciate it's difficult right now given the pandemic is still ongoing, but there are always virtual options. One thing we always suggest is the Outsiders Peer Support, Dating and Social Club which is made with disabled people in mind.

I would also suggest looking into the possibility of befriending schemes, often operated by charities, which give people the chance to have a chat with someone each week. Scope's helpline is also available if you ever fancy talking to someone.

Lastly, I hope that this community can offer an enjoyable platform for you to meet others and get involved in some fun discussions. Our virtual coffee lounge is always a great place to start in that regard.

Snowflake56

Ross_Scope Thankyou for all the wonderful information, its very thoughtful of you, I will definitely take a look, i am grateful of any help and would enjoy communicating online but was unsure were to start.I have been so stressed out today its left me feeling so tired, but hopefully tomorrow will be a little better. Yes I told the support worker how im feeling but just have to hang on with covid about its difficult 

Ross_Scope

You are welcome @Snowflake56, when it comes to meeting people virtually it can be so hard to know where to look, but hopefully the things above will provide a good starting point for you.

Yes, I'm not surprised you're tired, but fingers crossed you get a super night of sleep and wake up ready for tomorrow  

I see, yes the new lockdown situation is complicating a lot of things right now, it's a hard time. 

chiarieds

Hi @Snowflake56 - please do pop into our virtual 'Coffee lounge' where we discuss all sorts of things, & play word games. It's a great place to meet other members, & you would be so very welcome.

I used to teach relaxation classes when I was a physio, & you might find this helpful; some members certainly have. It alleviates stress, so helps with anxiety & pain. I hope you'll try. Please see: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/resources/patient-information/therapies/abdominal-breathing.pdf

There are others things to try too....whatever distracts you. I have chronic pain, so try music, reading, watching films, & mindfulness. Some find yoga helpful, or taking up/resuming a hobby. We're all different, & sometimes find, as I have, that it's often a combination of things that help; it's finding out what works for you. Many of us find that being on this community really helps combat loneliness, especially because of Covid. There's nearly always someone here to chat to, & we're a friendly lot.

Snowflake56

Thankyou I will take every opportunity offered to join in, ive been very down with loneliness and virtually have no one and got very depressed, it leaves you feeling like you dont exist .

poppy123456

I'd definitely recommend visiting out coffee lounge and joining in with some of the discussions there. It's a lonely life when you live alone but there's lots of really friendly people here on the community