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shellbell20
Community member Posts: 260 Pioneering
Sorry Guys I have been away from this forum for so many months, but my Mental Health deteriorated rapidly and I just had to take it day by day.
I cannot believe what I have had to do to defend my illness/disability but thus follows: a court case, claiming benefits and so many, many forms, not easy forms, whilst actually having a breakdown and being homeless, or being on warning to get a new place due to my illness and I have been so very, very ill. I am still not well, not even close to getting there.
However an update, my ex-employers denied I had a disability ( they should live my life for one day). I had to prove it, I collated doctors' records and sent them, I sent a Disability Impact Statement, they conceded. I told them I could provide a 150-page Mental Health report they said they didn't need it. Of course, they then said they were not aware I had a disability. although the termination email when they sacked me said due to your ongoing health issues, we hope you find a job to suit your needs, by the way, you're sacked and we can't do Reasonable Adjustments either or words to that effect.
So the saga goes on (could write a soap opera about it) and I now find myself fighting to be heard for Work Capability although I had applied for UC in November with full sick notes spanning 4 months. It actually took them 3 months to send out the form. And it goes on and on and on, but I am hanging in here.
I just wanted to say I so appreciate this forum in the time of my distress they were there for me they had my back, my health, my everything. I was reached out by total strangers with no agenda, just so much love. I now want to pass on any knowledge that I have gained during such a traumatic year and hopefully, help others.
I cannot believe what I have had to do to defend my illness/disability but thus follows: a court case, claiming benefits and so many, many forms, not easy forms, whilst actually having a breakdown and being homeless, or being on warning to get a new place due to my illness and I have been so very, very ill. I am still not well, not even close to getting there.
However an update, my ex-employers denied I had a disability ( they should live my life for one day). I had to prove it, I collated doctors' records and sent them, I sent a Disability Impact Statement, they conceded. I told them I could provide a 150-page Mental Health report they said they didn't need it. Of course, they then said they were not aware I had a disability. although the termination email when they sacked me said due to your ongoing health issues, we hope you find a job to suit your needs, by the way, you're sacked and we can't do Reasonable Adjustments either or words to that effect.
So the saga goes on (could write a soap opera about it) and I now find myself fighting to be heard for Work Capability although I had applied for UC in November with full sick notes spanning 4 months. It actually took them 3 months to send out the form. And it goes on and on and on, but I am hanging in here.
I just wanted to say I so appreciate this forum in the time of my distress they were there for me they had my back, my health, my everything. I was reached out by total strangers with no agenda, just so much love. I now want to pass on any knowledge that I have gained during such a traumatic year and hopefully, help others.
Comments
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Morning - my name is Sue how do you do ha ha.
Your so right about this wonderful group, it's the best thing i've every done.
Sounds to me that you've had a hard time of it lately, think you've done the right thing in coming back to the group, at least you will be amongst friends and you may be able to help others as you say.
I look forward to seeing you around. -
Nice to see you back sorry you have had such a hard time recently and hope things start to get better
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It is indeed good to see you back on here @shellbell20, however of course it's a huge shame to read about what you have been put through.
Thanks for the update, I do hope that better things are on the horizon for you, and I'm glad that you have found the community to be a positive outlet throughout this time.
How is your mental health at the moment? And your living situation?Online Community CoordinatorConcerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.
Did you receive a helpful reply to your discussion? Fill out our feedback form and let us know about it. -
shellbell20 said:I now find myself fighting to be heard for Work Capability although I had applied for UC in November with full sick notes spanning 4 months. It actually took them 3 months to send out the form.In your case you should have been referred for the WCA on day 29 of your claim but they often miss this and do need prompting in some cases.Most people have assessments so you should expect one of those. The worst part is the waiting because there's huge backlogs in most areas and some are waiting as long as 1 year.I don't know if you're aware but you'll only receive extra money if found to have LCWRA. You can see the descriptors for that here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activityThe link also includes information regarding "substantial risk" which often applies to those with mental health. There's more information here regarding that. https://wcainfo.net/issues/substantial-risk-lcwraYou may also want to have a look at the PIP descriptors to see if you qualify for that. https://pipinfo.net/
I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help. -
Ross_Scope said:It is indeed good to see you back on here @shellbell20, however of course it's a huge shame to read about what you have been put through.
Thanks for the update, I do hope that better things are on the horizon for you, and I'm glad that you have found the community to be a positive outlet throughout this time.
How is your mental health at the moment? And your living situation? -
poppy123456 said:shellbell20 said:I now find myself fighting to be heard for Work Capability although I had applied for UC in November with full sick notes spanning 4 months. It actually took them 3 months to send out the form.In your case you should have been referred for the WCA on day 29 of your claim but they often miss this and do need prompting in some cases.Most people have assessments so you should expect one of those. The worst part is the waiting because there's huge backlogs in most areas and some are waiting as long as 1 year.I don't know if you're aware but you'll only receive extra money if found to have LCWRA. You can see the descriptors for that here. https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/uc-faq/limited-capability-for-work-related-activityThe link also includes information regarding "substantial risk" which often applies to those with mental health. There's more information here regarding that. https://wcainfo.net/issues/substantial-risk-lcwraYou may also want to have a look at the PIP descriptors to see if you qualify for that. https://pipinfo.net/
I finally made a complaint and when they rang me they told me that it should have been referred but wasn't. Then the dept who deal with LCW and such rang me as I had forgotten my signature somewhere and I mentioned I had already waited 3 months before even getting the form and would I be waiting another 3 months or so, just to get an assessment. They said no as they had pretty much played catch up. I don't know if this is a true statement, but I do know they had a huge recruiting campaign back in September especially for PIP as I applied for a job and didn't end up getting it due to my anxiety and crying at the interview. That's when I knew I was not well enough.
I have applied for PIP back in January when the citizen's advice bureau who are helping me with my disability discrimination read my impact statement and saw the medical evidence, they suggested I apply. So I did and I did it online and the next day received a text and email to say it had been received
I will look at your link for mental health and thanks for sharing it with me. -
Teddybear12 said:Hi @shellbell20 I am sorry everything is so difficult for you at the moment. You are certainly a fighter. Please know the forum is always here for you. You can rant here anytime if it helps you. Good luck. Take care.
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janer1967 said:Nice to see you back sorry you have had such a hard time recently and hope things start to get better
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SueHeath said:Morning - my name is Sue how do you do ha ha.
Your so right about this wonderful group, it's the best thing i've every done.
Sounds to me that you've had a hard time of it lately, think you've done the right thing in coming back to the group, at least you will be amongst friends and you may be able to help others as you say.
I look forward to seeing you around.
I admit it has been so hard, like a long dark tunnel that never ends. I had to leave the group as I just couldn't keep up with the messages at the time, having really severe dizzy spells, and to be honest, I only scanned the messages didn't absorb them as I find it hard to read correspondence with my anxiety, but the edge is a little of my anxiety sometimes, still not going out as I get terrible panic attacks and still very depressed, but one day at a time and hopefully the sun will shine once more. Thanks for your lovely greeting.
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