I cant cope with UC — Scope | Disability forum
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I cant cope with UC

Cat39
Cat39 Community member Posts: 30 Courageous
edited March 2021 in Universal Credit (UC)
Back in June 2020 I filled out a work capability form, I sent it off and they received  it.

I've not heard anything about it, until about two-three months ago when I had a job centre appointment. I'm also now in uni, with a toddler, adhd, several health issues, alone lol.

At the appointment my work coach explained they cant do anything until they hear back over the assessment, they dont know what to do with me. He said he would see me once a month, it would be via my journal. And to chase up the assessment myself.


Now, I am missing appointment after appointment every two weeks. They are via phone not online like he told me they would be. They are during classes. My mental health is suffering BADLY, as is my physical health. I am losing my eye lashes and have developed a twitch in my face from the stress. I am in pain with my health issues. I'm waiting  to hear if I need surgery on my jaw.
The pandemic has put everything on hold and I'm getting next to zero support.

I cant cope with it, uni, being a single disabled mum, UC and everything else. 

Update:
I have yet again called them regarding my appointment, they have my form and can see I am waiting on an appointment. They cant and wont do anything for me.

The job centres reply:
I understand, we still have to conduct appointments until you get an outcome from the WCA assessment, but if the times are not convenient then just let me know so I can rearrange at a more suitable time. Kind Regards

Comments

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Hi @Cat39 I’m sorry this is all causing you so much stress and hopefully we can help you with some of it.
    I’m going to ask a couple of questions that may seem irrelevant but I’m trying to determine what your commitments on UC should be so we can look at what options you have.

    1- How old is your toddler?
    2- What sort of uni course is it? Do you receive any funding (maintenance loans etc)?
    3- do you receive PIP or any other benefits?

    Community Manager
    Scope
  • Cat39
    Cat39 Community member Posts: 30 Courageous
    Hi.
    My toddler is 4 .
    Im on an education and learning course at uni, full time.
    I do also get PIP
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 10,821 Scope online community team
    Do you receive any maintenance loans or grants with Uni? 

    And do you know what your current commitments on UC are? You can find them by logging in and pressing Home, and then scrolling down about halfway and there should be a button called “Commitments”. 

    It might say about work search, or meeting with work coach, or keeping journal updated etc. What does it say your current commitments are?
    Community Manager
    Scope
  • Cat39
    Cat39 Community member Posts: 30 Courageous
    The only thing I get from UC is an  £37 a month payment.

    My commitments;
    Activities

    What I'll do

    I've agreed with my work coach that I'll:

    I will continue to take all of my prescribed medication in order to control my health conditions.I will continue to maintain regular contact with my GP and other specialists in order to control my health conditions.I will continue with my studies at University.

    Voluntary activities

    I have not discussed any voluntary activities.

    Hours per week

    I'll spend 16 hours a week looking and preparing for work.
    (I have been told I dont have to do this)

    Meetings with my work coach

    I'll attend and take part fully in all meetings with my work coach. I'll tell my work coach immediately if I can't do this.
    (Again I was told this would just be via the journal not a call, I could go on the journal at any time that day to do this and agreed but now they have back tracked on this and insist on calls which im struggling to remember with eveything else espiecially since I was told it would be just online)

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,741 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @Cat39

    Just to advise, I've sent you a little email with more ideas on how we could possibly support you.  If you could give that a read and get back to me, it'd be appreciated :) 
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