Little help please

[Boo12]

Hi wondering if anyone can help me I had a f2f few weeks ago at home at I don’t go outside and struggle to be around people I have a case worker who does all my shopping and bill paying etc I have severe anxiety and am classed as a manic depressive this was due to losing my mum dad and child within 12 months I didn’t feel my assessment went well at all and feel so anxious waiting for the outcome

[nomoreheels]

I'm sorry you're struggling so, that must have been a terrible time for you losing so many close family in succession. Well, I take by face to face you mean your assessment for Personal Independence Payment? If so I know from experience it is a worrying time if you have any condition so do feel for you. I'm waiting on my renewal form so starting the process again to & on edge somewhat. There's no hurrying up the DWP I'm afraid, they will inform you of your award in their own sweet time but what you could do is contact them by phone & request a copy of the assessor's report, that should give you a good idea of the award you may receive.

All the very best & I hope the news is good.

[Boo12 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks I didn’t know what it was to be honest my support worker put in for it as I rely on ppl to much witch I hate I think the last time I went outside was 7 months ago but my assessment man kept saying well what stopping u as u don’t seem to have a emotional response to anything I ask u 😔my reply was wen u lose what I have I don’t think it’s possible to show anything other than how I truly feel empty

[nomoreheels in reply to Boo12]

All benefits go through the DWP so it really doesn't matter we don't need to know but whichever it was you could maybe ask your Support Worker to call them for you as they need to know the reference number. Unless she left you a copy of the application form, if so it will be on there & if you feel able you could contact them to request the report. Apart from this it's a waiting game I'm afraid as this is the only way you may have an idea beforehand what may be awarded. You say you had your assessment a few weeks ago so at least those are gone, just a few more to go so try not to upset yourself & concentrate on feeling well. Take care.

[Boo12 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks

[nomoreheels in reply to Boo12]

You're welcome.

[allanah]

Well you've just listed a load of reasons you should get it.! Try not to let the anxiety make you over examine what happened at the interview or you will get more worried.

Just wait on what they say and I'm sure they will take all your evidence into account x

[Boo12 in reply to allanah]

He wasn’t very understanding the man I had x

[allanah in reply to Boo12]

He just had to give you points Lol!

[Boo12 in reply to allanah]

I don’t understand the lol ?? Yes he only had to give me points not make me feel like I was doing something wrong

[nomoreheels in reply to Boo12]

Is that how the assessor made you feel, as though you'd done something wrong?

[Boo12 in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes like it shouldn’t be a issue going outside

[nomoreheels in reply to Boo12]

This has been a recurring problem we have found, that the assessor's generally don't have the first idea of the conditions they're meant to be assessing for. We on this forum have various autoimmune diseases & I could count on one hand how many who've been & are going through the PIP process have had one who understands or has had training in the most common of them Rheumatoid Disease/Arthritis never mind the less common ones. You're very fortunate if they have knowledge of your condition, it's totally by chance if they have knowledge of them in their previous medical role. My assessor was an ex mental health nurse, enough said, you would have benefited from her knowledge though so you see what I mean. So that yours said that doesn't really surprise me I'm afraid, it shouldn't be so but the agents just don't train them up in each condition & allocate them to the applicants with those conditions so it can't ever be a fair process, it's been flawed from the start & remains so. If when you receive your notification it's not reflective of your struggles you do have the opportunity to ask for mandatory reconsideration & if that isn't successful you can go on to tribunal, appeal. This is often successful so all is not lost, but try not to worry, we're getting ahead of ourselves, it may well be a positive outcome for you.

[allanah in reply to Boo12]

Sorry i wasn t being awful. I was sort of meaning that all the assessors I've come across aren't real friendly but I just wanted them to give me points. Didn't mean it to come over wrong.

[Boo12]

Thanks

[rosie1928]

Hi Boo12

I have suffered from agoraphobia when I was younger and it is so difficult when you feel you are not being believed. My son has this condition and he is too anxious to apply for disability. He is anxious he wont be believed. Sad isn't it? So he lives with me and he is on unemployment.

But it is a medical condition and I hope your application goes well. There is no reason why it shouldn't because you sound very incapacitated.

I am 67 now and still get bouts at times and I know how real it is.

Let the forum know how it all goes.

Kind regards

Rosie

[LizzieR in reply to rosie1928]

Hi Rosie,

It's scary how prevalent it is. My boy has ASd- well, two of my boys do. One has suffered from anxiety all his life. He's getting through it- when he was 18 he had 'Fear is optional' tattooed on his wrist and it seems to have helped. I see him rubbing it when things - crowds/ changes- get too much x

Thinking of you and your boy x

[rosie1928 in reply to LizzieR]

Thanks Lizzie. I have told my son that he is so courageous to live with his condition and there is an element of shame too. I think that your son's tattoo is awesome. It would be grounding for him I imagine.

My boy is actually 41 now. He struggles to work ... not working right now... its too hard. He is so talented but feels safe at home. I have come to accept it and not blame myself too much.

Kind regards

Rosie

[LizzieR in reply to rosie1928]

No, don't ever blame yourself- it sounds like you have done a wonderful job and have given him a safe place to return to/ stay. What more can a parent do? Xx

PS I agree- they are so courageous. Like doing marathon every day x

[rosie1928 in reply to LizzieR]

Thanks for your encouragement Lizzie.

[LizzieR]

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. I have both physical and mental health issues ( anxiety and intrusive thought OCD). I'm disabled by my physical ailments but if I had a magic wand it would be the OCD I'd get rid of. By which I mean I know how horrific what you're going through can be. The man sounds awful- but hopefully he'll just tick the boxes he needs to and you'll be given the benefit. If he doesn't you can appeal- I know you'll want it all over, but a lot of people I know have found the people on the appeal much more understanding.

I'm sending you lots of love and kind thoughts. Try and be kind to yourself. You will get through it x

PS feel free to pm me anytime xx

[Boo12 in reply to LizzieR]

Thank you so much x

[scotslass333]

Hi just read your post and the replies, and wanted to add my tuppenceworth! I had longstanding depression and anxiety problems, then got RA as well (nearly 5 yrs ago) - and I was SO unprepared for the awfulness of the pip assessment, and the whole process. Even tho my rheumatologist had done a very clear and supportive letter, becos the assessor could not actually SEE inside my joints, or SEE the extent of the pain I live with, or SEE the effects of the fatigue, she evidently thought there wasn't much wrong with me - physically. And any assessment for the mental side of things wasn't much better. So, yes, I truly can sympathise with your situation. At least you have a support worker to be with you and back you up, I had no-one at the time of the assessment, and just innocently thought I'd be believed....older and wiser now. I hope you get a good outcome, but if not, be sure to follow the process for reconsideration and appeal, a large percentage of people who get their claim turned down DO go on to win their appeals. It's a ridiculous and stressful system, and I'm trying not to worry about the next time, when it's up for renewal! Take good care of yourself.