Scared of Benefits being withdrawn.

hsm

I do not know why but in my mind I am always having the fear that my benefits will be withdrawn and I will end up homeless.I was diganosed as having Schizoaffective Disorder but they changed it to Bioploar Affective Disorder .Have been sectioned 5 times and also been hospitalised a further 2 times.Currently taking paliperidone,sertaline and pregablin.How do I get the fear out of my mind about the benefits.I just cannot function properly.

hsm

I have no coping mechanisms.

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @hsm and thank you for reaching out on the community this afternoon. I don't think you're alone in this feeling, as other members have expressed the same worries. 

Talking about your fears is a really positive step towards getting help and support with feeling differently about things, so well done for posting.

Can you tell me what support you're getting at the moment for your mental health, and have you spoken to your GP, mental health team, or another specialist about your concerns around benefits?

As woodbine has mentioned, there's no magic solution, but using some coping strategies that work for you might help to ease those anxious feelings. 

What sorts of things do you enjoy doing?

Let us know if you feel we can help further with anything, and we'll do what we can to support you

Alex

racyguy

hsm said:

I do not know why but in my mind I am always having the fear that my benefits will be withdrawn and I will end up homeless.I was diganosed as having Schizoaffective Disorder but they changed it to Bioploar Affective Disorder .Have been sectioned 5 times and also been hospitalised a further 2 times.Currently taking paliperidone,sertaline and pregablin.How do I get the fear out of my mind about the benefits.I just cannot function properly.

It is very normal.
There are three types of benefits, those that are paid on the basis of your contributions (NI) -State Pension, those that are based on illness and/or disability - ESA, DLA, PIP. The third is based on regular checks made by the DWP on the level of income you receive - Universal Credit, Pension Credit.

The DWP can't very well change the first and the third (means tested) as you will have been assessed  and that you inform them of any changes.

The second group can be changed at any time if the DWP think that you don't qualify any longer. Of this category DLA/PIP is the most worrying in that all it needs for it to be removed from you is maybe a telephone call from a 3rd party alleging that you are not as sick/disabled as you pretend to be.

Try not to worry it is just something that you have to live with. 

poppy123456

racyguy said:

hsm said:

I do not know why but in my mind I am always having the fear that my benefits will be withdrawn and I will end up homeless.I was diganosed as having Schizoaffective Disorder but they changed it to Bioploar Affective Disorder .Have been sectioned 5 times and also been hospitalised a further 2 times.Currently taking paliperidone,sertaline and pregablin.How do I get the fear out of my mind about the benefits.I just cannot function properly.

The second group can be changed at any time if the DWP think that you don't qualify any longer. Of this category DLA/PIP is the most worrying in that all it needs for it to be removed from you is maybe a telephone call from a 3rd party alleging that you are not as sick/disabled as you pretend to be.

Even then, it's very unlikely that any benefits would stop just because someone has reported you. Just because someone claims a disability benefit it doesn't mean they can't have a life.

racyguy

poppy123456 said:

Even then, it's very unlikely that any benefits would stop just because someone has reported you. Just because someone claims a disability benefit it doesn't mean they can't have a life.

It's not unlikely it's more than possible. It happens all of the time if the DWP are made aware that the allegation may have some truth in it. The DWP stop the payments so as to avoid any overpayment happening if it is found to be true. After review if it is found to be untrue then all of the missing payment will be repaid and the normal payments will resume. You only have to read the many comments of various websites that it is quite common.
I personally know this to be the case after telephoning the DWP about a neighbour who was said to be wheelchair bound yet was playing 18 holes of golf every week! His DLA was stopped immediately and after investigation/video recording my allegation was found to be true. He ended up with a large overpayment. 

hsm

Alex_Scope said:

Hello there @hsm and thank you for reaching out on the community this afternoon. I don't think you're alone in this feeling, as other members have expressed the same worries. 

Talking about your fears is a really positive step towards getting help and support with feeling differently about things, so well done for posting.

Can you tell me what support you're getting at the moment for your mental health, and have you spoken to your GP, mental health team, or another specialist about your concerns around benefits?

As woodbine has mentioned, there's no magic solution, but using some coping strategies that work for you might help to ease those anxious feelings. 

What sorts of things do you enjoy doing?

Let us know if you feel we can help further with anything, and we'll do what we can to support you

Alex

Have got a CPN I see regularly and also see my Psychiatrist.

Alex_Alumni

hsm said:

Alex_Scope said:

Hello there @hsm and thank you for reaching out on the community this afternoon. I don't think you're alone in this feeling, as other members have expressed the same worries. 

Talking about your fears is a really positive step towards getting help and support with feeling differently about things, so well done for posting.

Can you tell me what support you're getting at the moment for your mental health, and have you spoken to your GP, mental health team, or another specialist about your concerns around benefits?

As woodbine has mentioned, there's no magic solution, but using some coping strategies that work for you might help to ease those anxious feelings. 

What sorts of things do you enjoy doing?

Let us know if you feel we can help further with anything, and we'll do what we can to support you

Alex

Have got a CPN I see regularly and also see my Psychiatrist.

Thanks for explaining for me @hsm do you feel like your getting enough support from them with your anxiety?

I know it's difficult, but breaking up those anxious thoughts with things you enjoy doing might help, do you have any hobbies?

hsm

I will speak to my Mental Health Team.

Tori_Scope

That sounds good @hsm Do you find them helpful? 

hsm

Tori_Scope said:

That sounds good @hsm Do you find them helpful? 

Yes they do be helpful.

L_Volunteer

It sounds positive that you find them helpful @hsm