Pathways to Work interview today ~ help!

Crisp_£_note

Out of the blue I had a letter yesterday telling me that I had to attend a Pathways To Work interview at my local Jobcentre. The interview was originaly set for mid October but I rang them up and moved it to today, because I cant stand getting worked up and anxious and just want to get it over and done with.

I am currently on long term Incapacirt Benefit and have been for about 3 years. I am terrified about this interview and its stressing me out this morning I just want to cry.

Does anyone know what I can expect and have any advice??? If they stop my IB it will open up a whole load of problems and I cant deal with the stress and anxiety and know it will get me into more depression.

Ive had to cope with a lot in the last year or 2 on top of my own problems and issues. Im not saying I dont want to work but I know I am not in any fit state to physicaly and mentally right now.

Has anyone ever attended one of these interviews?

I am so scared :eek:

Thanks

syco1

Good luck with this, afraid I can't help because they haven't got round to me yet. I have been depressed and anxious about this for several years... we all know it is coming. I have made contingency plans where I have put a sum of money away to live on for a year after they stop my benefit (just IB, I don't claim IS). I am going to try not to get depressed when they stop my benefit - I am almost looking forward to it because I will no longer be under their control. I will cut all spending to the minimum - I have already cut down on anything but the cheapest food, stopped buy papers and magazines and lottery tickets, cancelled Sky. I will stop using heating, just wear more clothes and stop in bed more.... and when my money runs out that will be it, unless something crops up in that year. Obviously most people will have no choice but to dance to their tune. Be proud, make sure they listen to you. When you tell them your problems and they respond by saying "so you've ONLY got (for instance) a bad back or depression", repeat what you have said and make sure they listen to what problems that causes you. For instance, my problems are ankylosing spondolitis and mental health problems, but the main reason I couldn't hold down a job is a complete lack of energy.... fatigue. I do one simple job a day and I need to lay down and am exhausted for the rest of the day. No where do they allow for this in their questions. Good luck.

dmg24

syco1 wrote: »

Good luck with this, afraid I can't help because they haven't got round to me yet. I have been depressed and anxious about this for several years... we all know it is coming. I have made contingency plans where I have put a sum of money away to live on for a year after they stop my benefit (just IB, I don't claim IS). I am going to try not to get depressed when they stop my benefit - I am almost looking forward to it because I will no longer be under their control. I will cut all spending to the minimum - I have already cut down on anything but the cheapest food, stopped buy papers and magazines and lottery tickets, cancelled Sky. I will stop using heating, just wear more clothes and stop in bed more.... and when my money runs out that will be it, unless something crops up in that year. Obviously most people will have no choice but to dance to their tune. Be proud, make sure they listen to you. When you tell them your problems and they respond by saying "so you've ONLY got (for instance) a bad back or depression", repeat what you have said and make sure they listen to what problems that causes you. For instance, my problems are ankylosing spondolitis and mental health problems, but the main reason I couldn't hold down a job is a complete lack of energy.... fatigue. I do one simple job a day and I need to lay down and am exhausted for the rest of the day. No where do they allow for this in their questions. Good luck.

Is paranoia a symptom of your condition?

divastrop

Hi,
I have been to about 3 or 4 of these interviews (I was on incapacity until june this year). Firstly, please try not to worry, they just ask you about what sort of work or training you might want to do if you felt up to it. When I was very, very ill with depression I told them I didn't even feel up to thinking about it and they said that was fine and sent me on my way. I was there about 3 minutes on that occasion. When my health was starting to improve at a more recent pathways interview they just gave me some leaflets about different services they offered, telling me I could ring the numbers on them when I felt up to it.
The only thing that would affect your benefit in regard to these interviews is not turning up for them. As long as you go and explain that you really can't think about work/training at this time you will be fine

Crisp_£_note

Syco I too have AS amongst other issues!

Thanks I hope you're right. I just feel singled out and that doesnt help the anxiety that 'big brother is watching me and has caught me out' :cool: Not that I have done anything wrong (to my knowledge).

I dont get out a lot and have become a bit of a hermit as scared of new situations and going out alone (without hubby or a friend I can trust with me). The whole idea of me going back to work :shocked: _pale_

Although I could work from home if I could find something suitable.

Will they support me if I ask about Self Employment, it has been something I had considered with several options until earlier this year.

Thanks

divastrop

Yes they can advise you about any work related things you might be considering. They didn't make me feel pressured or anything when I asked about doing a course at college, they just gave me a couple of numbers to ring to point me in the right direction. I remember thinking that I had been caught out somehow but that was just the anxiety talking to me- everybody on incapacity got sent to these interviews, with a few exceptions ie those who have a condition that will never improve etc.