Work Capability Assessment'for MH / ASD

[Kerrrmieee]

Hi,

I have a work capability assessment this coming Friday via telephone 🙄

I have been on Antidepressants since I was 18 (I am 46).

During the pandemic after losing yet another job my GP asked if I'd ever been assessed for autism.

I had the initial assessment and the letter said high likelihood of Asperger's (I didn't think they used that term any more but hey ho) and to await my official diagnoses appointment which could take 2 years. I think I'm about 10 months off!

I am signed off 3 monthly by GP. He writes depression, anxiety, awaiting possible Asperger's diagnoses.

I am particularly Pathological Avoidance Disorder. This has opened up a new world of understanding to me as to why, even though being the brightest kid at primary and middle school that I cannot cope moving forwards - things went downward in my teens.

I still self harm to the point I need stitching, either with a knife or broken glass. It really means nothing to me other than to demonstrate that I'm not coping with demands.

I have 2 children, 1 in teens and 1 in all late 20s, I am a grandmother now.

Anyhoo... The form design is still the same - can you make a sandwich, can you walk metres blah blah.

Please can anybody advise on how to answer these questions, especially as it is a telephone appointment so they can not see the visible results of my MH or indeed see any notes from GP, Council or Adult SS whom I have been involved with.

Thank you

Much love

Mods if posting in wrong place, feel free to move, thank you.

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear you are having to endure this on top of everything else.

Have you heard of a website called 'Benefits and Work'? I have used this to help family members claim a number of disability related benefits.

A lot of the advice there is free. Also have a look at their discussion Forum because often queries have already been asked and answered. I'd also search other charity websites, e.g. Mind and Autism UK, for up to date advice. This page for example:

www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/benefits-and-money/benefits/types-of-benefit/employment-and-support-allowance

It's so much 'easier' (while still being hard iykwim) to evidence a physical disability given the nature of the questions. However it is possible to answer questions in a way that refers to the daily obstacles of your mental health problems and ASD:

'No, I don't have the processing skills for that'; 'most days I don't make any food at all for myself because of my depression, and my diet is completely inadequate as a result'; 'I don't leave the house so no, I can't walk anywhere and if I was forced to it wouldn't be safe because I would self-harm'; etc.

For the longer term, you may find this website helpful, they are a fab charity who organise placements and jobs at places that understand autism: www.employmentautism.org.uk/

I know you're not ready for work now but I think it can help to think positively about a time when you might be.

For the Work Capability call, is there someone who can be with you during the call to help you get the points you need to make across? It might help to write down the key things you want to make sure they take note of.

I don't want to sound patronising or condescending, as it sounds as if you might well have been through this process before, but it's important that when you answer the questions you think about them in the context of what would happen when you tried to do these things on your 'worst day', rather than a 'good day' or even what is a typical or normal day for you.

Most people try to put a brave face on things and play down the extent to which their disabilities and conditions affect them, but it's in your own interest not to do that here, and again I apologise for the language and the negativity, but you are trying to paint a picture of how 'ill and limited' you are, not how 'well and able'. It doesn't help your case at all if you try to nuance things and answer 'well sometimes...', a flat 'no, because...' is all you need to say.

If you have a local Welfare Rights or Mental Health Advocacy charity they might be able to squeeze you in before the end of the week to look at the questionnaire and help you formulate answers and think about how you will approach the phone assessment.

Hi @SpindleInTheWind that is fantastic thank you, I'll have a look - or because can't process when over stressed will forward to my Mum bless her who thankfully @bathsh3ba is going to be there for it.

I've had 2 previously but I mask so much I would almost go in singing and dancing - also in the past, I was terrified they'd get in touch with social services - I love social services, I'll take any help I can get now!

Thank you both xx

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

You are spot on.
Thank you.

Pointless wasting money with Benefits and work when you can get a lot of the information elsewhere for free.

Sorry, I don't understand - I wasn't looking to pay for any info.

I think it was in reply to a previous poster.

www.a1benefitsupport.com/
This is a free website with lots of information.

Apologies scrolled back up, and saw what you were referring to.

Thanks, yes I assume all available for free.

Funny thing is - my first job aged 16 was hand writing giros at the local Benefits Agency. I quite liked that routine. Ah the good old days lol

Thank you @SuperLoudPoppingAction I'll have a look in the morning with my note pad, I need lists, lots of! Yes I did realise what Pp was saying.

Thank you all for today.

Have you seen we have a board for neurodiverse mumsnetters on here? There are lots of us with ASD and ADHD to chat to if you ever fancy nipping over.
It's under the special needs section.

OP, just to clarify, Benefits and Work is a website that is free to access. There is an option to pay something like £15-20 for a specialist guide and membership but I never have - I just read the free parts, such as News, Forum and the general info pages.

As I originally said,

A lot of the advice there is free. Also have a look at their discussion Forum because often queries have already been asked and answered.

Hope you are holding up. It's a very stressful process.

Btw here's a link to their page on Work Capability Assessments, with links to other useful related pages, e.g. about answering the questions. All free to read.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/work-capability-assessment

Hope that's helpful.

@SpindleInTheWind thank you for your messages. I had to delay until this Friday (12th).
I've had to pour my energy into my son, his broken relationship, his 3 month old daughter.
No details but as told them, it was a family emergency.
So... I shall be getting my notepad and pen out. Handwritten notes always better. I'm expecting to fail, I think most people do (especially over the phone!) But my GP is on the case now, as is my local council, my housing officer has referred to the welfare team who know a lot about me so fingers crossed. Thank you ❤️

Well I've just had my assessment... Who knows... Thirty minutes and she has all she needs apparently 🙄 this is my lifetime x

@SpindleInTheWind @BadPhotographer @SuperLoudPoppingAction @ofwarren @XDownwiththissortofthingX @bathsh3ba

I think that's everyone!

Just to let you know I have qualified and it's been decided due my disability I am unable to work and unable to look for work, so in the support group - I suppose that's old style ESA?

Thank you everyone for your help. I just told the truth. I expect I was expecting the worst as so many people get refused and have to appeal.

Just thank you.

Have a lovely day all x

That's brilliant.

If your nerves can take it, you could apply for pip too.

@SuperLoudPoppingAction ooh not sure, one step at a time 🤣

I'll look in to it, not entirely sure what it is tbh .

PIP replaced DLA and is based on how you function. Very similar questions to the work based assessment but it also looks at how you cope at home, manage medication, cope with unfamiliar journeys, support you receive from others.

Some of what you have already said here about your mum helping you with understanding processes, how your mental health limits your independence and your self harming will all come under PIP.

It also looks at what you need help with (whether or not you actually receive any help), so if you need prompting to take medication, have a shower, if you don’t cook food because you can’t concentrate etc that all counts towards points.

There are two elements- personal care and mobility. Mobility isn’t just about walking, it covers whether you can independently plan journeys to unfamiliar places, how journeys might affect your mental health (panic attacks etc).

There are two rates for both elements and you should definitely apply. It’s is also not means tested so won’t affect any UC or ESA you maybe receiving.

Really good explanation from @Biscuitandacuppa there ^^

Well done, OP, I’m very pleased for you.

Nice one, OP x

Thank you@Biscuitandacuppa @SpindleInTheWind and @ThermoSpooklear

What you've said Biscuit makes absolute sense and I will apply when feeling stronger.

I just keep crying today as the decision already is such a weight off my mind

I've been appointed a welfare officer by the council to help me - open my letters basically - I just don't. End up with bailiffs etc knocking.

It's not how I saw myself you know and part of me is so sad, I zoomed through school top of class. Secondary more tricky but still got 4 a levels. I was supposed to be the one that went all the way.

Now I'm the black sheep that cannot cope with life 😭

Sorry allowing myself a little time to adjust.

It's so hard!

You let it all sink in, OP. Sit with the feeling of relief, and see how much mental space that frees up for you.