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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I can't get to the job centre ....

44 replies

inclingv · 23/10/2021 18:13

Hi
I was claims ESA in the support group until Feb this year.
I suffer with anxiety and can't leave the house alone /panic attacks and constant ectopic beats.
I found a home working job and after 5 days it became apparent it was too much for me.
I couldn't sleep,I was having panic attacks etc.

I tried to claim ESA again they said I would have to apply for UC and and fit notes in.
I did that and have lost nearly £300 a month.
I waited 5 weeks for first payment and haven't had a Assesment yet to get LCWRA

Now the work coach rings me every two weeks and now wants me to attend the jobcentre.
I have explained my health conditions and she said she wants me to go in fortnightly to look at my CV and talking about courses to build my confidence.

It's too much,it's more stressful than the job.
If I say no they will sanction me won't they ?

I don't know how il get there.
I can't walk so it would be a taxi there and back.
I can't go alone so will need to ask a friend.

My previous work coach let me do telephone apts

What can I do ?

OP posts:

silveryslade · 23/10/2021 18:44

If you get someone from Citizen's Advice to sort the PIP would it help to tell yourself you don't have to 'go through the process'? They do it for you - pretty much. You just sit there are confirm they've got the facts. They are supportive, not adversarial and just fact check with you. No wrong answers.

positiveovernegative · 23/10/2021 18:44

Hi just stumbled across this post and happen to know if you contact the centre for health and disability assessments (the people who do the UC assessments) you can organise for them to speak with your CPN or give them a letter from your CPN (CPN can fax it through) and this will speed up the process of getting you back into LCWRA depending on what your CPN says.
You have to bypass the job centre when you do this and go straight to the assessors.

Really hope you get sorted!

Just10moreminutesplease · 23/10/2021 18:45

Oh OP, I really feel for you .

I’m not sure that the job centre is the best place for you right now. Please think about calling citizens advice for help with a PIP application.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/10/2021 18:48

Im having fortnightly apts with the community psychiatric team and i am waiting for CBT too

I agree with pp to get whatever evidence is available from there. Whatever evidence you can from anywhere. And if CAB can help you with the PIP take the help.

In theory courses to build your confidence would be a good thing - but it sounds like the WC is wanting you to do too much too soon, and things need a different approach.

I’m not an expert, as it clearly apparent, but I’m sure none of those who are helping you want you stuck inside forever. It needs to be put across to the WC - ideally independently- that going into the JC isn’t the way to get you to the point where you can have a job.

minitwister · 23/10/2021 18:51

The thing above about it reflecting badly that you don't claim PIP is not true. So don't worry about that.

My point was I've never met anyone who 'qualifies' for the support group for old style ESA, who isn't entitled to PIP.

TrickOrTreat21x · 23/10/2021 19:18

You don't need to claim PIP for UC new style esa.
What you need to do is put in your journal that your waiting on your LWRCA assessment, that your unable to cope with leaving the house to go to the job centre or anywhere for that matter and ask if they can do phone appointments for now otherwise they risk making you very unwell and if needs be you can ask your GP to confirm this in writing.
They may just agree so please try.

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 23/10/2021 20:51

“I found a home working job and after 5 days it became apparent it was too much for me.
I couldn't sleep,I was having panic attacks etc.”

This is what you might be sanctioned for OP, nevermind not attending appointments. There is little point in you claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, attending the job centre (or not) and having a work coach, if you have no intention or ability to be able to work!
You need to be honest with them that you’re too ill or disabled at the moment to work, or else they’re just going to keep expecting you to do more and more things that you won’t or can’t.

Hont1986 · 23/10/2021 20:56

You need to be honest with them that you’re too ill or disabled at the moment to work

She has been. Read the thread, she has sent back her UC50 and is waiting for the decision on her Work Capability Assessment.

VladmirsPoutine · 23/10/2021 21:05

@MrsRobbieHart

It’s ridiculous that they can’t do phone appointments as a reasonable adjustment for service users who can’t attend the job centre. Or they could offer home visits if they really want to look at your face. Or a zoom call. Honestly in this day and age, particularly in the aftermath of covid there is absolutely no reason why they should be insisting you must attend in person.

This isn't a fault of the system, it's the system working as it's been designed.

beigebrownblue · 23/10/2021 21:20

@inclingv

I'm not no. I can't go through that whole process it's too daunting.

I know it is difficult but in order to get better you need some more support and this is part of it.

MrsRobbieHart · 23/10/2021 21:42

This isn't a fault of the system, it's the system working as it's been designed.

No, I know that. And it’s ridiculous. And cruel.

SnugKnights · 23/10/2021 21:56

Would your Dad be able to fill out the PIP forms for you OP. The Benefits and Work website has brilliant guides that take you through it step by step, it’s usually about £20 for a years membership.

VladmirsPoutine · 23/10/2021 22:06

@MrsRobbieHart I got that. I was thinking much along the same lines as you! There's absolutely no reason why alternatives can't be found for the OP and many others in her position.

positiveovernegative · 23/10/2021 22:26

I understand you feeling that the PIP process would be too much for you. Once your universal credit has been sorted you can use the work capability assessment from that (request a copy of it all) to send to PIP people and that should stop you having to go through the whole process.

SoniaFouler · 23/10/2021 22:49

@inclingv This is in relation to ESA but I think it’s applicable in your case too, read it, it might help: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/15-going-out/

FreshFancyFrogglette · 23/10/2021 23:02

Part of the reason that they need people to come in is for safeguarding. They need to ensure that the claims are valid, and that the money is going to who it is supposed to be.
How do you manage for shopping and school runs? These are things that your work coach might ask.
Discretionary phone calls are out for the time being. The line being pushed is that face to face is mandatory for everyone, pending the outcome of the work capability assessment.
You don't have to do anything whilst u are there, but you have to be there. I have argued against this hook, line and sinker. But I have started to understand, and relent a tiny bit on it. Not being able to leave the house is not a good quality of life, and by forcing people out they are hoping to build confidence. Unfortunately (imo) the support structures aren't developed enough in all areas to prevent a negative outcome.

At the end of the day, if you miss appointments I think it is referred to a decision maker. A decision maker will look at the evidence before deciding whether to sanction for a missed appointment, having a fit note, and details on your journal about your condition, will help if this ever happens.

Original poster

inclingv · 23/10/2021 23:14

@FreshFancyFrogglette it doesn't matter if I have to do anything if I'm there ...the point is if I could leave the house and do normal day to day activities I wouldn't be relying on UC.
I'm not looking for a job as I'm not able to do so ..I will be in there no longer than a few minutes...
It's causing me more mental harm than good
If they push and push il just cancel my claim
I would rather have nothing than be pushed and pushed when I know I can't do it.
I'm having these apts with a cpn to try and get me back again ..being harassed at the job centre just gives me more and more pressure.

OP posts:

Medicaltextbook · 23/10/2021 23:15

There is quite bit of information and links below - citizens advice or a welfare rights office may be able to help explaining and contacting DWP.
Good luck OP and well done on being so strong to actually claim universal credit and send the forms

You may be able to show that that the job centre/DWP is discriminatory on the basis of disability. This is because they have failed to make reasonable adjustments to allow you to fulfil your universal credit commitment. You do not need to get PIP to show you have a disability. It needs to be long term condition so a year or more:

The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if:

you have a physical or mental impairment
that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/protected-characteristics/what-counts-as-disability/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/going-to-your-interview/

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/duty-to-make-reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-people/

JanglyBeads · 23/10/2021 23:34

Wow Head communicating very clearly and sensibly on numbers of cases in school:

twitter.com/lessnoisemore/status/1451579373363109891?s=21

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