Will UC understand that I can’t work ?

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Will they do an assessment without any formal diagnosis or is it needs based so if I tell them my difficulties they’ll assess on that or do you have to have conditions formally diagnosed ?

My friend had to hand sick notes in for so long and then yes, she had to have an assessment before being out into the lwrc. Her medical records backed up everything she told them and it was pretty straight forward for her.

Theoretically it's needs based but it's a lot easier if you have a diagnosis. Either way, you will need medical evidence of your difficulties.

What does your doctor say?

I believe you have to be assessed for low capacity for work, or low capacity for work and work related activities. Both mean you have no work commitments but the latter also comes with an additional element of £300 and something per month.

To be assessed you have to submit sick notes every month, after a certain amount of time (I can't remember how long sorry!) you're sent forms to complete for a health assessment. (Also I think you have to continue the sick notes until the assessment is completed.) Some people seem to get their assessment carried out fairly quickly but others seem to wait several months.

I haven’t really told my doctor any of my problems so it won’t be in my medical records

If I can get an appt I’ll go to see the gp so that it’s all in my medical records

If your difficulties aren't documented - so if, for example, you don't take regular medication or have adjustments on record - then yes, I think you may face some challenges, because you'll be asking assessors to take your word as gospel without any back-up from associated HCPs etc.

You need to submit sick notes from the Dr, fill out the paperwork and provide evidence, and then have an interview / assessment.

Can you get a sick note without seeing a doctor?

No I don’t have medication I did as a teenager but that was so long ago 30+ years ! For the same issues (they gave me lots of anti depressant medication and it made Jo difference to my symptoms I was on it for 3 years and then stopped ) that’s the only documented time . The issues continued I just have not sought help as don’t think anything would help. Tried counselling privately in my 20s but that didn’t help either

As a teen I was told I was depressed but I don’t think I was . I thought maybe anxiety and strange phobias plus ?panic attacks at strange things and very physical symptoms

I’ve just been trying to get along with things but not managing

If you haven’t told the doctor any of your problems then you have little or no evidence that you are unwell and unable to work. It wouldn’t be fair if some people were allowed to self-diagnose and decide they are entitled to UC.

The system would then be vulnerable to misuse and those who really were in need would suffer as there would be less public money available

What has prevented you from seeking medical guidance/advice?

Putting aside the financial implications, would you not want to see if medical help/medication helps to resolve whatever problems you are experiencing?

There have been massive changes in medication, talking therapies and indeed the job market has changed significantly in 30+ years.

They assess based on these descriptors. www.disabilityrightsuk.org/wca-limited-capability-work-assessment-descriptors

To be awarded it you need 15 points and you can only get one set of points of each descriptor. So for example if 1a and 1b applies to you you’d only get the points for 1a.

No they won't understand that you say you cat work

There needs to be proof. They are not there to be understanding

I can’t see how anyone would want to employ me. No qualifications so any job that I’d be eligible for are jobs I wouldn’t be able to do eg anything retail /public facing etc

I wish I’d gone to the gp but I’ve been so embarrassed and just kept hoping things would get better ?

What have you been doing up until now workwise?

I’ve worked in the past, multiple jobs actually in my 20s. I ended up extremely ill things are worse now and there’s things I can’t do and I don’t know why . I have some symptoms that are extremely odd and I don’t know why if I’m in an environment where I feel uncomfortable I guess I lose the ability to talk . I can’t think straight, I have what I think is some kind of panic attack ? I feel overwhelmed and these attacks make me sleep for days afterwards . It causes migraines too with aura.
I sometimes feel like there’s something wrong with my hearing and eyesight I wonder if I’m photosensitive as I often find things too bright etc. I think it’s phobias that have developed and got worse to the point it gives me physical symptoms some kind of anxiety / panic attack type disorder

If someone is unable or unwilling to work, then they either need to have provision to fund themselves, or they need to fit the criteria to claim benefits.

You don’t have to answer on here, but I’m wondering what you have been doing for money in the past, it sounds as if something has changed?

if you are deemed fit for work, and don’t have qualifications, then you might need to consider training alongside part time work. Or you might need to accept that a job that you consider to be unsuitable has to be considered, such as retail or care work?

Very few people have jobs they enjoy all the time or have ideal jobs, that’s how life is.

wishing you well in any new ventures.

As a first step you need to consider a GP appointment and go with a summary of your current difficulties.

Worked in teens and twenties (tried lots of different jobs to see as I thought each time it was the job that was the issue).
tried work from home things like Avon and baking but I found it overwhelming and difficult.
My dp works but he’s recently had to change jobs it’s less hours so we need to claim UC but they are going to expect me to work as well and I can’t

I think with those symptoms it's a good idea to speak to a GP regardless of benefit applications.

Retail or care I just couldn’t do. I wish I could but I seize up I get ‘stuck’ I can’t speak and it just sets off these panic attacks I get so frequently