Everyone Working

I know. The fact that the government is wanting to do this or even just thinking about it is absolutely vile, they must surely know that it will cause a lot of deaths.

Also, it seems they especially want to target people with serious mental health conditions and force them into work.

I suffer from depression, anxiety, and cannot cope with a regular life, I can end up extremely suicidal.

Luckily though nothing is set in stone at the moment. The changes they do make might end up not being anywhere near as severe, and any changes they make will take a very long time to happen.

Just save as much money as you can for your own future safety net if that's possible. It's what I'm doing, I'm also looking into reselling to try and make a bit of money that I can put towards savings too.

it’s all madness and in the if they force people with MH conditions into work that’s unsuitable it will cost them more in the long run .
I did laugh at the traffic marshalling course you’re being pushed into , it’s all ludicrous.

When I was going to the job center while I was waiting for my WCA outcome, both work coaches there were expecting me to do this and to do that as though there was nothing wrong with me, even though I told them about my issues. 'Oh, just hop onto a bus and go to a completely different city you've never been to before and take part in a group activity', 'Oh just drive to strange places that you've never been to before' even though I told them I have issues with driving, 'Oh just join a gym', 'Become a security guard'.

I'm sat there thinking 'Are you not listening to a **** word I'm saying?'

I dread to think how things would be if work coaches end up being the ones deciding how sick we are and what we're capable of doing and not doing instead of WCA's. Which is another terrible idea that either this government or the last one was thinking about.

Hi @Santosha12 ,

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you’re going through and hope you find some relief from your symptoms. Having similar GI issues myself, I understand how debilitating they can be.

Regarding LCWRA, I was receiving it (until October 24)after a long waited DWP medical assessment and having to pay for medical evidence to be released from GP surgery . However, I now have an ongoing complaint and a pending mandatory reconsideration outcome, as my LCWRA was stopped and UC closed after I returned from an informed out-of-country trip to seek medical assistance due to long NHS waiting times.

They seem to ignore all my UC journal messages. I have disputed the Signal Marshalling course, explaining my conditions and how they impact my day-to-day functioning, but I doubt they have even read my concerns. However, I responded immediately, worrying that I might be sanctioned if I didn’t.

At present, what I receive through Universal Credit barely covers the essentials after losing LCWRA. I have also been asked to reapply for WCA by completing the DWP health assessment questionnaire again and am now waiting for the assessment. Let’s see what happens next.

I live in constant fear every time I receive an SMS notification from the Jobcentre or hear a brown envelope drop through the door, thinking, this is it ¦ It’s not a nice feeling.
best wishes

Hi @Ross1975 ,

Thanks for replying. I used to receive LCWRA, but my payments were stopped when my Universal Credit was abruptly closed after I returned from an out-of-country, medical-related trip—which I had informed my Jobcentre about beforehand.
In regards to that,I currently have a DWP complaint and a mandatory reconsideration request pending a decision. About the signal marshalling course-I’m unsure if the work coach was provoking me, but I was worried about being sanctioned, so I responded in length , explaining why I would be unable to consider that role. At least I have something to defend myself with if they claim I didn’t respond.

hi @Jimm_Scope ,

I was not given any reason for the closure of my Universal Credit (UC) claim, which has been deeply frustrating. I only found out when I received a routine text to check my UC account. Upon logging in, I discovered it had been closed, with a note stating that my UC “should’ve been closed earlier” because I went out of the country.
This happened despite me notifying the DWP three months before my departure that I was leaving the UK to seek medical treatment due to long NHS waiting lists and worsening symptoms. The lack of communication and support has been incredibly disheartening.
I raised a mandatory reconsideration (MR) and also submitted a formal complaint to the DWP. A guy  sent me a journal message reviewing my complaint, apologising for “falling short” in their service but maintained that they had followed all the rules. I realise now that I should have pushed for explicit written permission from DWP  to leave the country rather than assuming their silence meant consent. This was a hard lesson for me.
The financial losses have been overwhelming. Initially, I was told I would need to repay a UC overpayment of £1,700 when my claim was closed in October 2024. Later, I received a postal letter demanding £3,000, with no explanation or breakdown of the amount or stating what this is for . I’ve asked for clarity, but it’s been nearly three weeks without a response. So now, I stand as a fraudster with a debt of £4700 to the DWP 😢😢
On top of this, I’ve been sent a detailed full questionnaire for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). I feel torn apart by this entire process. It’s devastating to be treated like an imposter or fraudster when I’m simply trying to survive with my disability and ill health.
I wish my health would miraculously improve so I could return to full-time work and free myself from this system, which feels more punitive than supportive.
Thank you for listening, and I appreciate any advice or support you or any of our lovely members can offer. I just feel so exhausted.