Incapacity Benefit medical - what's involved?

libertine08

I have received IB for the last year. I was diagnosed with depression linked to my hearing loss and living arrangements and have been seeing a psychiatrist, care coordinator and GP regularly ever since. I was sent a questionnaire a couple of weeks ago and yesterday had a letter telling me to arrange an appointment for a medical, which is to take place on Friday 21st November.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me on this process. I am scared stiff that they will stop my money, and it is the only income I have. I live with my mother and sister, and do not qualify for anything else. I am at my wit's end and dreading Friday.

seven-day-weekend

Just go in to the medical and answer all the questions as clearly as you can. Don't exaggerate your condition but don't minimise it either - if you can't get washed/dressed in the morning, or find it difficult to go out on your own, say so. Even if the symptoms of your condition are embarrassing or upsetting, tell it as it is, don't expect them to read between the lines.

You can take someone with you for support if you wish. Good luck and don't worry.

SweetPea23

I would second what seven day weekend said, go in there and be honest about your condition, don't over exagerate but also don't make out that you can do everything unless you can if that makes sense. I took my partner with me which helped loads so I would suggest taking someone with you for support.

healy

The Doctor/Nurse that you see will ask you questions relating to what you wrote in the IB50 and see if you score points with regard to the descriptors that may apply to you. They will probably also ask you about your typical day in order to complete the medical report.

SimplyShaz4U

they ask you questions like the others have said and analyse your body language and note down everything you say sumtimes its could to take sumone with you like a family member who does help you with day to day life, also they get you up according to your problems and ask you to put hands up bend down etc ps they are very strict now and most people arnt receiving it even if needed

SimplyShaz4U

stay calm and book a taxi to and from there as they will pay for it. my brother went for it and i was with him so thats how i know all the best take care and good luck tell us what happened once you get a reply from them

spring_chicken

well I hope you have better luck than me. For the past 5 years I have been on Incapacity Benefit, and attended medicals fairly frequently and have always scored enough points to qualify for the benefit, however in June I went for another medical, and was shocked and surprised to discover that my IB had been stopped. The "doctor" who carried out the examination completely changed everything I said, and because of that, my money was stopped. Even though my illness is ongoing, and I had always satisfied the previous examiners, they chose to believe his report over me (and all the previous reports) so I am now in limbo whilst I wait for my tribunal hearing. I can't "sign on" unemployed because I am unfit for work, and can't receive income support because my husband works, it really is a catch 22 situation, and most unfair.

Please make sure this doesn't happen to you, take someone with you, I took my Mum with me, but she stayed in the waiting room, on hindsight, I should have taken her into the room with me.

Good luck

shinjukumaster

spring_chicken wrote: »

well I hope you have better luck than me. For the past 5 years I have been on Incapacity Benefit, and attended medicals fairly frequently and have always scored enough points to qualify for the benefit, however in June I went for another medical, and was shocked and surprised to discover that my IB had been stopped. The "doctor" who carried out the examination completely changed everything I said, and because of that, my money was stopped. Even though my illness is ongoing, and I had always satisfied the previous examiners, they chose to believe his report over me (and all the previous reports) so I am now in limbo whilst I wait for my tribunal hearing. I can't "sign on" unemployed because I am unfit for work, and can't receive income support because my husband works, it really is a catch 22 situation, and most unfair.

Please make sure this doesn't happen to you, take someone with you, I took my Mum with me, but she stayed in the waiting room, on hindsight, I should have taken her into the room with me.

Good luck

1) Take someone with you
2) Answer the questions as if you are experiencing the symptoms of a bad day, and not a good day. Depression is variable, and your answers must be applicable to your worst days - otherwise you might not meet the threshold.
3) If you do not have a 'typical day' e.g. through disrupted sleep, depression, fatigue, cognitive functioning, memory loss, fear of going outside, anxiety, disorientation, etc. then say so. Some of the doctors employed for those medicals are not well trained in dealing with mental health issues.
4) The bottom line is, they want to know how your condition affects your ability to work - why can you not work?
5) Keep replies factual, as that is what the score is based on.
6) Take someone with you, and let them speak for you if need be.

spring_chicken

The trouble is, I did answer as if it was a bad day, (it was pretty bad actually) yet he chose to either disreguard everything I said , or changed what I said on purpose, either way, he wrote a pack of lies, but I'm the one suffering. I wouldn't mind, but it makes a mockery out of all the previous medicals I have had! If only they would read my previous medicals and reviews, they will see how badly he got it all wrong. Of course, I'm not as synical to say that it was done on purpose because the government want to reduce the numbers of people claiming IB (or am I?)

healy

SimplyShaz4U wrote: »

they ask you questions like the others have said and analyse your body language and note down everything you say sumtimes its could to take sumone with you like a family member who does help you with day to day life, also they get you up according to your problems and ask you to put hands up bend down etc ps they are very strict now and most people arnt receiving it even if needed

It is not true to say that most people are not receiving IB even if it is needed. The majority have a fair medical and receive the correct result. Forums like this highlight the bad experiences people sometimes have, those who have no problems are unlikely to post as they do not need help. The test for ESA is harder to pass but that is still in its early stages and only applies to new claimants.

libertine08

Many thanks to everyone who has replied to my message. I attended the medical yesterday, and the nurse I saw has to wear hearing aids herself, so understood my problems very well. She could also see that depression is still a big problem for me, and as I am still receiving care from my GP and others, I hope that the 'decision maker' will decide in my favour. I have been told by my care coordinator that if they stop my benefit, she will mount an appeal straight away. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I will post a message on the forum once I have a reply, either way.