Advocate Died Help Needed

HelpNeeded87
HelpNeeded87 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
in Universal Credit (UC)

hi there my advocate as Died (who was only a advocate to to speak to DWP) i have Mental Health Issues And doing anything with my UC sends my anxiety Through the Roof even filling a Simple form makes my hands shake

Universal Credit have booked Work Focus interview and are Adamant i speak to them i Cant speak to them due to my mental health ive tried to explain this over my journal and there seems no help no nothing

i havent got any other family that want to be my advocate Any help please

im Currently in the Process of moving into Supported living

Comments

  • SheffieldMan1976
    SheffieldMan1976 Posts: 787 Connected

    I'm fully aware they'd do 2 things, chuff all and nowt, but I'd be making a formal complaint about the DWP, they cannot treat anyone with a mental disability like this.

  • Santosha12
    Santosha12 Online Community Member Posts: 3,819 Championing

    Hello @Helpneeded87, A very warm welcome to you. I am sorry your Advocate has passed away and I hear what you're saying about your mental health issues and being unable to speak to UC etc.

    Is it worth you speaking to the Supported Living people where you'll move to soon to see if they can offer any help in advocating for you? If they cannot, I would only continue communicating with UC, via the Journal for now.

    If you need any further help regarding advocates please do come back. If I know your approximate area, I'm happy to help to find if there are appropriate people in your area. It may be that its only someone like the Citizens Advice Bureau who could help.

  • HelpNeeded87
    HelpNeeded87 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1115395#Comment_1115395

    hi thank for your help My supported Living Places looks after interview date my care assessment stated i can mentally Do all the online Journal stuff when if required its just the Phone Calls (journal messages for me do cause anxiety spikes but i can manage them) but i cannot do the Calls at all and such says advocate is not needed so am sure where to turn i have sister who dont want to advocate

    is there a way of getting UC to just speak to someone else i can get one of my sisters to do Calls but No advocating she says she has her hands full

    im just worried they are going to sanction me over this and i can barely afford to live now

    the last Uc messsage sent to me even included my advocates name

  • HelpNeeded87
    HelpNeeded87 Online Community Member Posts: 3 Listener

    also im in the Staffordshire Area

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,291 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @HelpNeeded87 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    I'm sorry to hear about your advocate.

    I'd imagine it would be okay for your sister to talk to Universal Credit, it doesn't hurt to try anayway!

    It looks like the main advocacy group in Staffordshire is ASIST and it looks like you need a professional referral for an advocate so it's worth talking to your GP or social worker or somebody who works in Supported Living😊

  • Santosha12
    Santosha12 Online Community Member Posts: 3,819 Championing

    Hi @Helpneeded87, If you can get your sisters help that could be your best port of call initially, whilst you find a more permanent advocate.

    As Mary said, Assist are the most prominent in Staffordshire.

    You could also try Pohwer on 0300 456 2370 and also Lifeworks in North Staffs on 01782 615222 or email them at info@lifeworksnorthstaffs.co.uk

    Might be best looking at both their websites first to see how they could best help you.

    All the very best to you and take good care of yourself.

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