Hitting rock bottom

skyann
skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing

I feel DWP are pushing me to rock bottom I have an appointment with them on Friday over the phone I don't want to speak with them over the phone it making me have really bad thoughts as I'm so worried I can't speak with them over the phone, is there anything else I can do.

Comments

  • Emilee
    Emilee Online Community Member Posts: 257 Empowering

    It would depend what the appointment is for. Have they explained what sort of appointment this is?

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you for your reply it's for the medical assessment

  • Morgan_Scope
    Morgan_Scope Posts: 782 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hello @skyann, you don't have much time but you could request a video or in-person assessment instead if they are preferable for you? You would need to call them and request this and it may mean a delay in you being assessed.

    Is there any one able to support you or any adjustments that could be made to make a telephone assessment easier for you?

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Can they do a paper based assessment?

    My mental health is really bad the thought of speaking with them.

    Thank you

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you so much, that is how I'm feeling I'm feeling they are forcing me to speak with them, I will ask my GP as they are aware of my anxiety.

  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/927649#Comment_927649

    That sounds like a good route to go @skyann, I hope a letter from your GP can help with this. Please do look out for an email from us later today.

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Hi

    My GP have been amazing I had a written letter explaining can I have written communication only, due to my stress and anxiety and I'm waiting help for ADHD explaining I struggle with my speech etc. I emailed DWP this morning to say I sent my doctors letter to the medical email and they emailed me back saying the reviewed my doctors letter and I still got to have a telephone appointment tomorrow. I've broken down I don't know what to do as I can't attend it.

    Thank you for reading

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,486 Championing

    I've had a few paper based assessments myself. (Although only after they'd caused me permanent damage by being forced to a face to face). I'm not sure why they've refused it in your case.

    Have you already sent them an assessment form that was filled in? Is this assessment for PIP or Universal Credit?

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you for your fast reply it's for universal credit I didn't receive an assessment form I told them this and they give me an appointment for over the phone i said I have medical evidence they then give me an email to send the evidence too.

    Im so upset I feel forced which is making my mental health even worse.

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,486 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/936439#Comment_936439

    Are you migrating from ESA or is this a brand new UC claim?

    Sadly if you didn't get a form to fill in, and have never had a work capability assessment before, then they will need more from you than just the letter from the GP.

    I don't understand why they haven't just sent you another form to fill in though. It is quicker to do over the phone, but for people who can't manage it over the phone, the speed shouldn't be the priority here.

    I don't really know what to suggest unfortunately. I would send another email or put a message in the journal to say that you really can't manage the phone call and will need it to be done paper-based instead. I can't guarantee they'll accept that though.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    Are you sure you didn't receive the UC50 form in the post? You should have received it a few days after you received the referral letter on your journal. (assuming you have access to one) you can see the form here.

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66e1b747dd4e6b59f0cb2556/uc50-interactive.pdf

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you so much they have said I needed to fill in the form to make a decision, I didn't receive the form via post I've just asked them can I have one I don't know if they will hold off my telephone appointment I will have to see.

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing

    You can use the form in the link I provided and print it off, if you have access to a printer. The form they send is identical to that one.

  • skyann
    skyann Online Community Member Posts: 12 Listener

    Thank you so much for your help

Categories