Will UC understand that I can’t work ?

[WantTobutcant]

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 ?

There's no point in even applying I wouldn't have thought until you've spoken to GP and tried to help your issues.

I’m worried what they’ll think of me I’m embarrassed and I know I’m the past the medication I had as a teenager didn’t make any difference (Prozac, another antidepressant I think it began with a s? Can’t remember the name. Plus diazepam I think that my dm was told to give me for the panic attacks I had. I was 13-16 years so don’t fully remember )
At 16 I stopped as nothing helped I think I lost faith in drs to be truthful

Realistically, without any documentation or evidence of your challenges, then it's likely that yes, the benefits system will find you fit to work.

I have friends and family with severe chronic conditions who are decidedly unfit to work (one is a double amputee) who have to jump through myriad hoops on a regular basis to get the benefits they are entitled to.

Perhaps now is a good time to think about what you can do, rather than what you can't.

Not everybody is suited to be chained to a desk for 8 hours a day, or work directly with people, and that's okay, but is there anything you can do and enjoy? Perhaps working outdoors, or with animals? Do you have any skills that you could turn into a trade?

No qualifications, no real skills I used to like baking but I’m not at a good enough standard to do it full time from home.
I can’t really work with any other people and a public facing role would make me really really physically unwell.

If I had something I could do from home to my own timetable I would but I have no skills

You do know that a UC face to face assessment is likely (if your claim gets that far)?

Is it possible to get UC and not have to work but to study for qualifications at home instead ?
if I could get some qualifications and think about something to do as a work from home job that would probably be the only thing I’d manage but I don’t know what as I’m not that clever

Could it help with perspective to imagine if it was someone else, and with a physical injury? It would be confusing if someone said that they had a bad knee, got some treatment at 13-16 that didn't help, kept trying to walk a bit into their 20s but with no treatment or support, then gave up on walking and got pushed around in a wheelchair for over 2 decades (still with no treatment) and now wants other people's taxes to pay for someone else paid to push their wheelchair around for the rest of their life - but without seeing a doctor or trying any treatment.

I feel so sad for you that you've lost so many decades without support to deal with these tough challenges. However, given where things are now, you do have to see specialists - who are very unlikely to say that there's nothing at all that can be done, even if all this time has made it harder.

I thought it was an online application and verification process

Gently, OP, what have you been doing for the last 30 (?) years or so? You must have come across something you enjoy or at least feel comfortable with in that time?

You're posting on an online forum, your written and read English skills seem above average, so you must have at least basic literacy and an understanding of elementary IT / social media?

No they really won't.

I had cancer, a traumatic op, treatment, a well documented disability as a result of the op, and it still took 2 years and in the end an independent tribunal for them to decide they accept I have a low capability for work.

They said as I was able to raise one hand I could work.

They 100% won't accept you just telling them you can't. I had to go for appointments every 2 weeks (6 weeks grace after my op) and they would put me forward for all types of jobs that there was no physical way of me doing.

The best of it was that they forced me to quit my previous job because I was off sick for so long, so it was their fault I was unemployed anyway.

That’s going to be extremely difficult if it’s an appointment at a job centre I don’t really leave the house that much . I think I’ve isolated myself for so long to avoid getting unwell where possible and I didn’t expect to be in this position

www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Work-Capability-Assessment/The-medical-assessment

No it's back to face to face

And no they won't 'pay' you so you can just study at home

When you apply to UC, and declare you are unable to work, you have to put a diagnosis in the box. You will also have to do the same when you fill in the Work Capability Forms.

The initial application for UC is online, but until you have a WCA, you will have to supply sick notes to the Job Centre and attend regular appointments. If your GP wont give you a sick note, you will have to look for work.

If you don't attend, you're assumed fit for work.
Home assessments can be made in some cases, but ime they're v difficult to get, and require a shitload of medical evidence.

Are there any employment support services in your area? Locally we have groups involved in supporting long term unemployed with training and with thinking about their job prospects in the context of their physical and mental health. Generally far more helpful than the people working for the job centre.

I would also say you really need to see a GP for help because things are clearly getting worse for you over time rather than better. Don't be embarrassed - just be honest about your difficulties and what you need help with. Try writing down a list of the symptoms you have so that you feel prepared when you talk to them, and try to think about what you think would be the best first step to get better. I know people often default to going down the ASD route, but do you think there might be something underlying your long term anxiety, like ASD or ADHD?

At school I was always really really good at English , absolutely awful at maths and most other subjects. Didn’t get gcses though so I have no way to prove the only thing I’m good at.
I’ve been relying on / hiding behind my dp. I feel so awful all the time and I was told for so long it was depression but I don’t feel sad or depressed I feel overwhelmed and then physically unwell I think I have some severe anxiety problem. It’s affected me as far back as I remember there’s no incident I can remember that started it it’s just what it’s always been like.

Assume you don't have dc then?

This is untrue. There are lots of courses, online and face to face that are free to those on benefits. Infact it's the best time to do it because it's free.

Sounds like you need confidence building cour ses and therapies to improve. They will not Just take your wordfor it that you can't work.

And application

is online but you will be expected to go in for appointments.

I don’t think ASD or ADHD would cause physical symptoms would they? My throat closes and I can’t speak sometimes for hours , I get migraines where I can’t see, my hearing can partially be lost sometimes or I’ll get severe chest pain and cramps but only when stressed it’s not anything bad it’s a physical stress response which is why I’ve always thought it’s severe anxiety?

I get shaky too which I think is a panic attack

My brother has long documented disabilities, he can’t work and will never live independently. Yet he was declared fit for work and my parents had to fight it to independent tribunal to get it reversed and for him to be declared unable to work for life.

You have no proof of what you’re claiming, do you really think they’re just going to take your word and one GP visit as proof?

As gently as I can say it but you really do need to see a medical professional for what your experiencing. Not only so you can get whatever finiacial help you may be entitled to but also to help your own wellbeing. Whatever happens you need it doing because you are just not going to get given money based on your word and only your word.

Best case scenario you get treatment that works and you can go ahead and start work or worst case scenario treatment doesn't work but then at least you have something to stand on when it comes to applying for help.

Ive had a long term chronic health condition for at least 10 years which is well documented aswell as a myriad of other health problems. Working damn near feels like it's killing me some weeks but I haven't even bothered to apply for any help because I've seen people struggling with alot worse get nothing or struggle to get anything.

Best of luck OP x

Some of these symptoms can get worse because you expect them. You can't live like this forever. Please try and get support.

I think this is right. Perhaps write it down to take with you so you cover everything just in case you can't say it to the GP.