Advice Needed - income support

Em2k

Hi.

My income support is coming to an end on Weds, due to my youngest child being 6 years old. I suffer from agoraphobia, which makes my options extremely limited.

I can go on JSA, but I can't go to the jobcenter every 2 weeks, my panic attacks wouldn't let me. Or, I can go on disability allowance (I forgot it's name) but for that I'd need to travel 30 miles for an assessment, which again I can't do. I was meant to have a meeting to discuss the end of my benefit, but I cancelled due to agoraphobia, so I can't ask them these questions.

Panic attacks rule my life, and I feel forced to allow a new partner to move in with me. It's early days so I worry it won't work out but I feel it's my best option because it gets me off of benefits, and in turn I won't have to keep going for interviews.

But now I've decided that, it's opened a whole new world of questions. There will be about a week or 2 of no benefit for me until he can move in. I can cope with that, but I'm worried about council tax and housing benefit.

When Income Support comes to an end, does that automatically end housing benefit etc too? Or do I need to write to the council to cancel those? Also, even though my income support ends this week, when he moves in, do I need to tell them?

Thanks in advance, any help is appreciated

GlasweJen

Am I missing something obvious? How can you have a new partner if you're so severely agoraphobic that you can't go out once a fortnight to the job centre?

Em2k

I met him online.

Em2k

Plus agoraphobia is a very complex thing, for ex I can do the schoolruns every day, and walk the dog, because it's a familiar area, and I know how to get somewhere safe should I freak out. Other things, such as food shopping, doctors, dentist etc really are horrible for me because I feel trapped, it's so hard to explain to someone that doesn't understand it.

I only have 2 friends, I haven't been "out with mates" since I was a teen, so please. Don't judge.

Caroline_a

What treatment are you having for this? My ex sister in law was agoraphobic and refused any help, which severely impacted on her children. I would request a visit from your doctor to ask how you can be helped through this.

As an aside, my ex SIL is now fine and is over her agoraphobia.

Em2k

I have had cognitive therapy, which didn't work out. The only other therapy I've been offered, is group therapy, which is kinda silly. Aside from that I take propanolol, which helps a bit.

fatbob_531

medical assessment for disability living allowance (D.L.A.)can be done in your own home if you explain your problem,no need to travel,good luck,be patient,it can take weeks

Dunroamin

Em2k wrote: »

Plus agoraphobia is a very complex thing, for ex I can do the schoolruns every day, and walk the dog, because it's a familiar area, and I know how to get somewhere safe should I freak out. Other things, such as food shopping, doctors, dentist etc really are horrible for me because I feel trapped, it's so hard to explain to someone that doesn't understand it.

I only have 2 friends, I haven't been "out with mates" since I was a teen, so please. Don't judge.

Surely, if you start to sign on, you'll become familiar with the Job Centre and the route to get there?

Oliver14

Em2k wrote: »

I can go on disability allowance (I forgot it's name) but for that I'd need to travel 30 miles for an assessment, which again I can't do.

If you can get your Doctor to write and confirm that your medical condition does not allow you to get to the medical or the Jobcentre. They will arrange a home medical and take it into account.

Em2k

Dunroamin wrote: »

Surely, if you start to sign on, you'll become familiar with the Job Centre and the route to get there?

Again. Agoraphobia is very complex so please don't try and make sense of it unless you have had it, or know someone first hand that does. My JC has no parking, and no nearby parking so I cannot leave in a hurry if an attack hits me. The interview place is 3 floors up. You have NO idea how difficult it is to live with this.

Best way I could explain it to my friend, is if you've ever had a near miss in the car, or seen something awful happen? That terrible sinking feeling you get in your stomach? That is what I feel. That comes out of nowhere for no apparent reason and cripples me. I then go dizzy, my heart hammers in my chest, I get sweaty, and feel as though I'm going to throw up. You try going through all of that while 3 floors up and nowhere near the safety of your car. As I say, noone can understand, and I don't expect you to, but try and accept I've had this 14 years and know my limits.

Em2k

fatbob_531 wrote: »

medical assessment for disability living allowance (D.L.A.)can be done in your own home if you explain your problem,no need to travel,good luck,be patient,it can take weeks

Are you quite sure about this? Because I have told my JC time and time again how stupid it is, to send someone with my condition all those miles away, and I've always been told that's just the way it is. =[