Disability

Hi I’ve seen some posts about concerns at having to attend an in person assessment for ESA so wanted to share my experience as I found that you can change this to a telephone appointment if you need to. My initial appointment was for a telephone assessment and they cancelled this on the day. I was offered the opportunity…

Citizens Advice condemn Green Paper cuts in hard hitting reportCitizens Advice (CA) have condemned the government’s Pathways To Work Green Paper in a hard hitting report of their own, entitled ‘Pathways To Poverty’. The opening paragraph gives a clear indication of the anger and frustration inside an organisation whose…

Afternoon all, Happy working man here, but with limited vision so I'm gratefully able to claim access to work to get into the office once or twice a week to meet with colleagues. However, of late, say the past four months, the timescales for claims is greater than the submission intervals & seems to be growing. For…

This is a really hard for me to write 😔 I am at rock bottom and I’m scraping the sides of the barrel. I have struggled with both Mental and Physical Disabilities ever since my first breath. It’s fair to say that my life has been like the Himalayan Mountain Range and for the last five years I’ve been stuck on the Hilary…

From Disability Rights UK Lack of reasonable adjustments in the workplace are “holding Disabled people back” at work, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned in a new report. The TUC report entitled “Disabled workers’ access to reasonable adjustments”, surveyed 1,000 Disabled workers and asked them to share their…

Hey, I think I realised something about myself. I can only be happy when living alone. But I have a boyfriend, we tried the whole living together arrangement, and I found it hard. Were both autistic and both like things a certain way. I plan to get a job and live on my own. And for us to be together but to live separately,…

I hope it’s ok to share this here. I’m feeling so frustrated and upset after a call from the ESA health assessment people. I’m wondering if the two calls I’ve just had from them are trying to trick me or are genuine so would be good to know if anyone else has had similar experiences and what they have done about it. Am I…

Son's health condition declared to UC when he first applied last year. I was recognised as appointee. Fit note sent on 13 May 2025 and form UC50 has been posted. If he's accepted as LCWRA, will he get back pay from last year or from 13 May ?

Hi all, The criteria states that applicants need to be awarded PIP. Having sent them my PIP statement - which they deemed not good enough - and now having sent them my PIP Award letter, they have replied with this: "I recommend you send us a copy of your up-to-date PIP award letter with the below details mentioned on it:…

On Monday 19 May we had our first Scope CP Network meet up at the Scope Leeds Hub. We organised this in partnership with Cerebral Palsy Adult Advice UK (CPAAUK). We had a great time getting to know each other over a biscuit and a brew. We discussed our commonalities; the difficulty in getting healthcare, startle reflex,…

From BBC News by Rachel Russell An exhibition that explored an artist's life as a disabled person has won an award. Jason Wilsher-Mills' work, Are We there Yet?, won the Museum and Heritage Awards' Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year. It attracted more than 51,000 visitors when it was on display at Ferens Art…

The 2025 Scope Awards ceremony will take place at 5pm on Thursday 15 May. And we’d love you to join the livestream and celebrate with us! Our host is award-winning disability advocate, actor, presenter and speaker, Adam Pearson. You can see this year's nominees on the Scope Awards website. There will be live captioning and…

There is a music festival I’ve been going to for a couple of years that I absolutely love, except my medical conditions have been getting worse, they are harder to manage day today, and the disability facilities at the festival have worsened also. So much so that last year I had to make a complaint because I missed most of…

I retired 8 years ago and approximately 3 years later started to lose my sight (no diagnosis) and I find it hard at times to deal with this. Is there anyone else on this platform in a similar position and how do they cope?

hi I’ve got my ESA medical telephone assessment this week and I wondered if I can get a copy of the report once it has been sent to the DWP or do I have to wait to hear from the DWP about their decision? Any info and advice appreciated thanks.

Hello, I’m William and I’m 31 years old and I have cerebral palsy and dystonia. I have struggled with my mental health for the last few years, especially feeling lonely and depressed. I realised I had to talk to people and even ended up seeing professionals (psychologist) and taking anti-depressants. I’m still struggling…

Hi all, I’ve been on here previously under a different username, but took a step back into the shadows. Just call me Count Duckula! I can find things too overwhelming at times due to the many mental health conditions I have, I can be especially Grumpy at times, well saying that I am old - well I feel it and my body does…

Disabled entrepreneur and advocate Vicki Wilson, founder of Vicki Admin Fairy®, is celebrating a weekend of national recognition, both for her business journey and her commitment to supporting disabled-led enterprise. On Thursday 9th May 2025, Vicki received the Inspiring Journey Award at the prestigious Woman Who Achieves…

I have right sided hemiplegia and would like to meet people and ask things if I see them in the community. I work as a receptionist in GSTT and would like to have a child with my husband who supports me and is my appointee for my benefit. I will also ask questions as well.

On Monday 12 May 2025, Scope's CP Network and CPAAUK held the first face to face gathering in Wrexham. It was great to meet those who attended. We had meaningful conversations about CP and life in general. Attendees enjoyed the session and left wanting to share news of the group with friends and colleagues in their…

hi I’ve just had a letter telling me I have a telephone assessment following receipt of my capability for work questionnaire and have a couple of questions I’d welcome any info on. I’ve been off work sick since I had surgery 10 months ago and now have a long term disability so I’m worried I will be put into the work group…

Hi, everyone. Hope you had a good bank holiday weekend. I have a right to inherit money from my late husband’s private pension. I moved in to UK 12 years ago and I was his full time carer. Therefore I haven’t contributed enough to claim state pension. I am depending on UC and PIP due to PTSD plus some mental health issues…

I am looking to book some concert tickets for myself and my daughter who has special needs and cannot access heights can yo please advise Thankyou

We're excited to launch the Wrexham Cerebral Palsy get together. Monday 12 May 2025 from 9am. Please let us know in the comments below, if you are attending. Many thanks.

hi does anyone have suggestions about when to update DWP about changes in your health? I’ve completed the Capability for Work Questionnaire and waiting for a reply (sent 21 March) but since sending this my GP has arranged a blood test for a new condition- should I wait for the results or inform them now? Many thanks

hi I had my PIP assessment on Monday and my GP has just told me I need a blood test for a new medical condition. Should I update my application now or wait until I get the results back, any suggestions welcome thanks

hi since I'm deaf and hard of hearing how do you make home deaf adaption cause these council not giving me tax discount they said home must be adapted what the heck that yea.. if anybody knows thanks I'm advance 🫶🫶

Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping well. I recently asked for my face to face assessment to be changed to a telephone assessment. The night before the assessment I never slept due to pain and my anxiety was through the roof. I called them the morning of the assessment and asked could they change the date. He said no as…

Hi everyone, If you're an FE lecturer in the South West of England with a non-visible disability, I’d really appreciate your help completing a short questionnaire about the challenges and advantages of working with non-visible disabilities. The responses will provide valuable insights for better understanding of your…

so I want to remove my appointee for universal credit but will it affect my pip and my mums carers allowance?