Scope’s Online Community

hi everyone, i'm hoping to get some advice and real-world insight from anyone who has navigated universal credit while studying independently, applying for pip or self-funding qualifications. i’m a mature student aged 25 planning to re-enter education to take my a-levels. i've looked at alternative pathways such as access…

Hi im new posting but been following for few months now. I applied for pip 1st may filled in online form and paper form. Had message about assesment 29th may had it on 3rd july in morning. They contacted my doctors who happily gave all medical history . Applied due to nerve damage in my right leg arthitis right kner…

Well I asked the assessor if I could record the assessment which she agreed to, she told me her recording equipment was not working, I was due to start the assessment at 2.00pm, at 1.45pm the DWP called to say they are running late by one hour 15 minutes, this sent me into meltdown as I have ADHD, and autism, as well as…

Hi all, I applied for CA in mid March 2026. I earn slightly over the threshold but my pension contributions take me well below. I was asked in the email to send my pension statements which I promptly did. In April 2026 I had a phone call from someone querying my work travel expenses. I anwered his questions and he told me…

So here's another fun one! Let's all tell a tale of epic proportions! But the catch is we can only type five words at a time. So I say five words, the next person adds five and so on. Let's see how long we can keep this going for. 😎 Are you sitting comfortably dear reader? Then let's begin… There once was a dog…

17yr old with AUDHD, anxiety, depression.. starting to be a nightmare to live with, he’s struggling mentally & emotionally and so am I, I’m walking on egg shells so I don’t upset him. mum exhausted as been on my own with him for 15yrs.

Hi Folks I have just joined the site and look forward to joining in any discussions online and also getting to know other like-minded people,How are you all doing ?

Disability campaigners have called on the UK Government to do more to cut the backlog for its Access to Work scheme. You can watch the report from ITV News here.

We have been asked: "I have had Cerebral Palsy since Birth. I am now 78 Years old and will be 79 in July. Could you tell me if I am the oldest person with thus condition. If not can you tell me the age of the longest living survivor of this condition?" I think the oldest person we interviewed for Speaking for Ourselves was…

Can anyone make sense of this? I got DLA for daughter recently son, asked for carers and disabled child element to be backdated and received this letter It has 3 diff figures in it? It says entitled to 9k+, I’ve been paid 7k+ and I’m having 1800 backdated? But I’m confused by the 9k and the 7k figures? If anyone can break…

I just ate my very first mince pie of the season but my brother said it was too early for one! His rule is that Halloween must be fully over before mince pies are allowed and that seeing festive treats on the shelves next to the Halloween decorations just feels wrong. Where do you stand on this?😊 Are you an "as soon as…

I am receiving ESA enhanced rate . I have made a few lump sum withdrawals over the past four years since receiving the ESA. ESA is contribution based not income based. DWP have contacted me as they are looking into whether it’s going to affect my benefit. I wasn’t aware that it was connected as I’m only on contribution…

I've published an 18,000+ word free online blog about mental health. It has over 20 writers including doctors, counsellors and support group workers. https://themagbrighton.blogspot.com/

Can someone please advise me about my sons housing problem?. He is a 52 yr old man with autism, he lives independantly with my support. He lives in a 1st floor flat that is totaly unsuitable, since living there he has been diagnosed with copd & asthama. I have approached my local council to have him rehomed but they say…

This is the same idea as The Celebrity Name Game! but instead of Celebrities, we use Fictional Characters. They could be from a book, or a film/series, a game… anything really 😊 The aim of the game is to think of a fictional character who's first name begins with the first letter of the previous celebrity's surname. For…

Sharing on behalf of Love Productions: The Great British Bake Off – Casting Call: Are you, or someone you know, a star baker in the making? The Great British Bake Off is currently looking for a fresh batch of bakers to take part in the next series, and we want to hear from you. We want the famous white tent to be an…

It's Friday, so let's have a little fun! Every week, I'll give you two choices. All you have to do is pick between two options. There are no right or wrong answers, just a bit of lighthearted chat. This week's dilemma: Would you rather find 100 spiders in your bed OR 1 person in your attic?

I've got a job interview today for a PA position, it's less money than what I'm currently making but the hours are more manageable and hopefully I won't have to put up with complete a******s anymore! It's at 3pm and I'm really nervous, so wish me luck!

Hi all, I found this forum after googling groups for disabled professionals. I'm part of a disabled network at work but I'd like to be able to speak freely about some of the barriers I face at work and with employment generally, and connect with other people who get it, even if it's just to empathise with how terrible it…

i recently went for an interview and the panel were aware I have ADHD as we discussed it. At the end of the interview the interviewer stated “I know you've probably heard this a million times, and its probably an ADHD thing but you need to slow down when you’re talking? Just take a breath and just pause and slow it right…

From daily horoscopes to birth charts, astrology is everywhere. Some of us may find that our star sign accurately describes our personality traits and energy levels, while others think it's all just random chance and coincidence. I am a Scorpio and while some traits I do identify with and see in myself, others not so much!…

This discussion was created from comments split from: LCWRA Reviews.

An emergency alert was sent to all mobile phones this evening in England & Wales from the Government with wildfire warning after UK blazes. The siren on my phone was very loud and made me jump. Anyone else had this?

Hello all - I need help = AGAIN! My tenancy ended on 20 September and just by chance, my landlord (a housing association) sold to another landlord (a group) and made official on 1st October. I am aware that payments due housing element payments are paid in arrears and my Universal Credit payments land on 19th of every…

Like many people, I was shocked to hear the sad news that RJ Mitte died last night. I am going to write a more in-depth blog about the important work he did for our community. But here is a video that I turned to when I heard of his death A huge loss for the cerebral palsy community. If you are struggling, please speak to…

I am an adult on benefits living in a three bedroom house. I claim UC, ESA and enhanced PIP on both elements. My adult working son stays with me two nights a week as carer and has said he would like to move in permanently but I don’t know how this would affect my benefits. Please can you advise?

They have all of the current sufferers and patients who (potentially) have Hantavirus in one place (on the ship) - so why are they releasing them to potentially transmit the virus worldwide ? They should be quarantined ON THE SHIP ! This could all go very wrong……. remember Covid from 6 years ago ? The world appears to have…

Many people who moved from ESA + Housing Benefit to Universal Credit have seen their yearly income fall, even when nothing in their personal circumstances changed. The reason is simple: Under ESA, your rent was protected. Under UC, your rent is taken out of your living money. How it worked under ESA • Housing Benefit paid…

Hello, I receive Universal Credit, ESA and PIP and have significant disabilities. My local council recently reassessed my Council Tax Reduction because of savings that include accumulated DWP benefit backpayments. I had previously supplied evidence from the DWP explaining these payments and their capital disregards. The…

How do I ask for PIP to cease with immediate effect - I no longer want to receive this