Face-to-face assessment

[GoldilocksAndTheThreePears]

I hope this in the correct place, please let me know if not.

I've been unable to work for over a year now. Severe arthritis meaning I struggle to do even the most basic things like opening doors, picking things up. I was living off my savings for almost a year as I didn't want to be a burden but it got to the point I couldn't support myself anymore.

So I applied for benefits, I feel so bad even doing that, but they wouldn't let me go for jobseekers as I can't hold a pen to sign on. I'm on one called ESA and that meant I could get some housing benefit too. It's completely saved my life as without I would be on the streets right now (I'm single with no kids, former nanny). I also have so many issues to do with the illness, I can't cook or go shops often plus bad depression and complete inability to exercise, some days unable to leave my bed without being in agony, all leading to me gaining a ton of weight (5'2 and 19stone currently) . All my fault obviously, not throwing blame, just very difficult to eat healthy when your mind is full of pain and money is tight.

Now they want me to go for a face-to-face assessment and I am freaking out. If they don't believe me I'll lose my home. If on that day I can't walk.... I'm trying to scrape together enough money to get the bus there but I don't know if I can, they say they will reimburse travel but only with a ticket so I can't use my old oyster which I put money on when I was healthier, and working.

I don't know where to go or ask but I remember people on this site being helpful and I'm hoping someone may have done one of these assessments and can give me any details. I'm so worried they won't believe me, I know the government is all about money saving so they could just deny the money. I'll have to go on a bus to get there which is just terrifying as I can't hold on and if no seats I'll fall, it happened last time I took a bus.

If anyone has any knowledge please share, I don't have anyone to talk to or anything. I'm 34 by the way.

the only work i know to do is childcare, i wouldnt trust myself with a child like this. so tired all the time i forget everything, not able to grip even empty cups sometimes. i used to work in shops but i can barely stand long enough to shower, and even if i do it takes hours to recover from it. so i couldnt stand and walk for a whole shift.

id give everything to be able to work and contribute to society

i am under the care of rheumatology at my local hospital. however my consultant changed recently, and my last appointment was so useless Im considering complaining.

ive ended up recheduling. i havent slept or eaten in days and im struggling just because i didnt know about this thing. i hate that i have done this but i think now i can prepare correctly. the more i read on forums for benefits, and for arthritis, the more i realise i have no idea about the system at all. the new one is 20th may and now i have the time to find an advocate maybe, and more time to read what people say. im just so new to it all i feel like a child about it all.

in the back of my mind this is all still temporary but it just gets worse and worse. i dont know if i could redo the form they initially sent, i wish i could, as i know since jan its gotten so much worse for me. the arthritis is now in joints it never was, i never had hip issues, and i didnt have constant flare ups in my hands.

thankyou for all the help, its nice to know i have someone who would listen, even if its just words on a page.

You can talk about how the illness had got worse since the form was submitted.

I know it's stressful going through the process. Perhaps in the meantime start doing a claim for pip. The cab will be able to help you fill it in - did you see the pm I sent you about the fb group?

I asked my specialist to send a supporting letter - might be worth a try. You can also argue that returning to work well cause your condition to worsen (regulations 29 and 35 apply) . You can write this down and give it to them at the assessment.
It might be worth re-filling the form in so you can focus on how your illness impacts you now. Maybe give the dwp a call and see what they recommend?

I'm glad you've got a rescheduled appt. Did you ask if there is a nearer assessment centre to you?

oh gosh i missed your pm sorry. ill look into making a facebook thing. after reading peoples replies, and on an arthritis forum, i applied for pip too. its another thing to worry about but its another chance. the actual money itself isnt my goal, at all, i can live on 20p a week if i have to. its the housing benefit. without being on a benefit i lose that and thats when my head explodes. i cant even contemplate where id end up or my stuff, my home, just all of it.

ive attempted to contact an occupational therapist but the council number just gives me an answer phone. im going to see if my GP can in any way help, my sick note just has arthritis on it but right now i feel even without that condition id struggle to work properly. depression is weighing me down.

sadly there are no nearer centers. as the crow flies its like 10 miles, its nothing, but on public transport its horrendous, i have to travel through 2 towns to get there.

I'm wondering if should you contact adult social services and asking for a care and needs assessment.

Might be worth a phone call.

Forgot to add - phone the number on the appointment letter to ask for your appt to be recorded.