DLA, ESA and agoraphobia/depression advice please!

Dawni

Agoraphobia is such a misunderstood condition and it's really difficult to explain to other people how a sufferer actually feels once they leave their safety zone. I hope the OP is able to get across in her application just how impossible it would be for her to leave her home every day to get to work and then function while there. Doctors differ enormously in their attitude, I always found, with many being very understanding and helpful, while others were brusque and dismissive. It doesn't help that agoraphobic people have often spent years trying to hide or downplay their problems, simply because they fear other people will see them as weak or stupid or lazy, so that it can be quite hard to talk openly about how they really feel. But when claiming benefit it doesn't do to hide any aspect of the problem, because if you don't tell them how bad it really is they'll assume it isn't too bad at all.

It's such a shame there isn't more work that can be done from home, but unfortunately that sort of work is in short supply unless you have a special skill of some kind. I spent some years working part-time as a primary school/ESL tutor at home, but realise this sort of work isn't suitable for everyone. It might be worth asking about courses that can be done online, as these could perhaps lead to some type of home work in the future. In any case, updating your skills or learning new ones is always a good thing to do.

stressedofdevon

I just wanted to give an update which may be helpful to others claiming benefits. I was booked a telephone interview to claim the DLA, and that took 75 minutes this morning. The staff member was absolutely superb, and although it was scary and time consuming to answer questions about my condition she was very warm and easy to talk to and steered well clear of any jargon.

I was told that should a medical be considered necessary then I would be able to request a home visit and this would not be a problem.

The ESA claim meanwhile still seems totally stalled and not half as user friendly.

kellyfrw

Hi I dont know much about ESA ,DLA can also be a minfield but you really need to try and stay positive.
I have however lost a baby , two and a half years ago and its still very raw. I just wanetd to let you know that I can feel for you so so much. I have other children and my consouller at the time gave me the best advice , concentrate on the babies that are still with you.Facing the world is very hard but try timing yourself in the garden for five mins , maybe cleaning the path and then the next day six mins. In your head and heart you will be scared but you know you can run back in when need be. But just think if you can survive thru the pain of losing a child then you can survive anything. And you ahev your own wee Angel willing you on.
Then in the afternoon or early evening try doing the saem thing but around the house. You will offcourse be exhausted to start with but it does help eventually.
Tiny tiny steps are the only way to get thru this , eventually we had to move ,once I was a bit better as I couldnt go into the room that the Baby should have but never slept in.

The staff at DLA will mostly eb sympathic to your situation and the system is there to pick us up when we fall so please do apply for everything that you are entitled to
best wishes
kelly

stressedofdevon

Thanks to all for the helpful comments and advice. I am still battling to get ESA(IR), and it has pushed me to my limit at times. My GP, hospital and MP have all had to get involved, and they have finally agreed today not to require a medical at all, not even at home, and that I will be in something called the Support Group. (Hahaha). I actually thought for a moment they were offering me some support! Still no news as to how much I may receive or when, but it is progress of sorts at least.

It has been shocking to me as a former civil servant just how much the system has failed. DLA were brilliant, still awaiting a decision but I do know they have written to the hospital for information, so at least they are acting. ESA simply are beyond belief. My med certs state severe anxiety related problem, and they try to push you over the edge it feels, as three months isn't acceptable.

Anyway, rant over, and fingers crossed for a decision soon. I now need to find out what Support Group is all about, if anyone has any wisdom they can share.

Sending hugs to anyone else affected by depression.

sharski

Hi SofD..

Being in the Support Group basically means DWP have admitted that you are in no position to be currently helped into work - therefore, you don't need to attend any mandatory interviews at the JC (or any 'providers') although the help is there if you ever wanted to book an appt to speak with an advisor.
You will remain in this group until your next 'review' - you should receive a extra component on your ESA relevant to being in that group. This also gets backdated to week 14 of your claim (I think it's 14 - if not correct me - my head's up my a$$ today!).

Good luck with everything x

healy

sharski wrote: »

Hi SofD..

Being in the Support Group basically means DWP have admitted that you are in no position to be currently helped into work - therefore, you don't need to attend any mandatory interviews at the JC (or any 'providers') although the help is there if you ever wanted to book an appt to speak with an advisor.
You will remain in this group until your next 'review' - you should receive a extra component on your ESA relevant to being in that group. This also gets backdated to week 14 of your claim (I think it's 14 - if not correct me - my head's up my a$$ today!).

Good luck with everything x

Just to confirm it is week 14. Your head is still in the correct position!

ststech1973

hi all i have suffered from acute anxiety and panick attacks most of my life and since december 2005 to date suffer from acute agraphobia i am self employed and work from home i am now seperated and in process of divorce another stressfull thing to add to it i live and work at home with my 2 daughters 13 and 14 yrs old i have never claimed any kind of benefit for my condition i am on a cocktail of tablets including the dreaded v (valium) since jan 06 i am ok in the house and can prepare food etc and look after my daughters and run my businesss but it is impossible to walk any further than 50 to 60 yards outside my house sometimes i cant even answer the door just lie down take some pills and try and sleep for a while
my sister and nearly everybody else has to collect things for me including medication and my gp visits me as i cannot go to the surgery for example if i cut or injured my self badly i would need to be sedated in order to get to the a and e i only feel comfortable when i have a good friend or my sister taking me somewhere in a car then i carry all my pills a drink something to chew on you name it i do it
i have just submitted a claim for dla i am looking for the motability aspect of it so i could have a vehicle that my sister or a designated friend could accompany me to the places i need to go as i do not go to parents evenings holidays to the shops etc ifeel that with this element awarded i could in time maybe recover then stop claiming dla if it was awarded as i am a hard worker but i just feel like a prisoner in my own home several occasions i have attempted to take my own life when the girls are away but cant go through with it i love them too much so now you can see how much this condition affects me for example if someone offered me £1000 to walk to town i could not do it even if it were £10000 i just dont know if i will qualify for the dla motabilty scheme???

healy

ststech1973 wrote: »

hi all i have suffered from acute anxiety and panick attacks most of my life and since december 2005 to date suffer from acute agraphobia i am self employed and work from home i am now seperated and in process of divorce another stressfull thing to add to it i live and work at home with my 2 daughters 13 and 14 yrs old i have never claimed any kind of benefit for my condition i am on a cocktail of tablets including the dreaded v (valium) since jan 06 i am ok in the house and can prepare food etc and look after my daughters and run my businesss but it is impossible to walk any further than 50 to 60 yards outside my house sometimes i cant even answer the door just lie down take some pills and try and sleep for a while
my sister and nearly everybody else has to collect things for me including medication and my gp visits me as i cannot go to the surgery for example if i cut or injured my self badly i would need to be sedated in order to get to the a and e i only feel comfortable when i have a good friend or my sister taking me somewhere in a car then i carry all my pills a drink something to chew on you name it i do it
i have just submitted a claim for dla i am looking for the motability aspect of it so i could have a vehicle that my sister or a designated friend could accompany me to the places i need to go as i do not go to parents evenings holidays to the shops etc ifeel that with this element awarded i could in time maybe recover then stop claiming dla if it was awarded as i am a hard worker but i just feel like a prisoner in my own home several occasions i have attempted to take my own life when the girls are away but cant go through with it i love them too much so now you can see how much this condition affects me for example if someone offered me £1000 to walk to town i could not do it even if it were £10000 i just dont know if i will qualify for the dla motabilty scheme???

You would not get DLA Higher Rate Mobility for your problems and would not be able to get a car. HRM is for people who are unable or virtually unable to walk. You may be able to get lower rate mobility.

Jowo_2

ststech1973 wrote: »

i just dont know if i will qualify for the dla motabilty scheme???

If you qualify for higher rate mobility element of DLA, then you are eligible for the motobility scheme. To get the highest rate of mobility DLA for mental health issues, you have to qualify for the highest care rate. These links will explain the care and mobility criteria and provide a basic overview of the motobility scheme.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028000

healy

Jowo wrote: »

If you qualify for higher rate mobility element of DLA, then you are eligible for the motobility scheme. To get the highest rate of mobility DLA for mental health issues, you have to qualify for the highest care rate. These links will explain the care and mobility criteria and provide a basic overview of the motobility scheme.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Yourvehicleandlicence/DG_10028000

They will not get HRM for their mental health problems as they do not fit the strict criteria to receive it.

Here is a link about it: http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/decisions/dladecision.asp