In a mess - employment support allowance

wilmist

I started doing permitted work a few months ago whilst on incapacity benefit (been off work with depression and stress) the first time I have worked in eight years.

I have just had a letter through from the benefits agency saying I have been placed in the work group for employment support allowance.

My problem is I haven't been able to cope with the job since I started it. My work sent me for a medical before I started so they know my past history with stress, I wasn't too bad at the time of the medical but the doctor said if I started suffering with stress again to go straight to my doctor.

My stress is now severe with receiving this letter and I don't know what to do, I can't even ring the benefits agency up as I just break down on the phone.

I don't want my work to find out I can't cope because I don't want to loose it but I don't know how to appeal a decision without going to my doctor and him helping me with the decision (I haven't been to the doctors since I started work but also don't know if I need a doctors report for my appeal as I had no medical done throught the benefits agency) which if I do my work will find out. I am only on a temporary six month contract.

Really really stressed at the moment would appreciate any advice, thankyou

GlasweJen

Do you meet any of the support group criteria?

wilmist

I think I fit the following one -

suffers from some specific disease or bodily or mental disablement and by reasons of such disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person if the claimant were found not to have limited capability for work-related activity

I suffer from severe stress and have had severe depression in the past and since receiving the letter I am suffering really bad from both again

Dunroamin

What risk to you pose to other people?

PippaGirl_2

wilmist, you've been managing to do your permitted work ok and it is only this letter that has worsened your stress. When you are in WRAG you are given an advisor who can help you by discussing ways that might help you get better, stronger, etc. enough to consider work in the future. Many people with mild to moderate depression as yours would seem to be find this really beneficial. You might too.

wilmist

The risk would be to myself health wise as it would make my stress even worse and also depression really worse.

With stress I would be a danger driving to work and making mistakes at work.

Doesn't it mean a risk to my own health not just someone elses

Thanks

wilmist

My main problem is stress. I just tried to ring up the benefits agency and couldn't speak on the phone. Stress is different to depression the pressure of work makes it worse.

I hadn't been able to cope with the permitted work but when you are on incapacity benefit it is less stressful as it is more like voluntary work with the incapacity benefit helping as you can't cope with the pressure that comes without it.

My stress gets so bad that I am unable to leave the house, answer the door/phone and it is getting this way now.

Is there anyone who suffers from severe stress who might be able to help I would really appreciate any reply.

GlasweJen

I'm a danger driving, I just don't drive! I hope you're not driving now if you're such a mess, you should tell the DVLA if your mental health is so bad that you're a danger on the road.

PippaGirl_2

wilmest, that's not stress, it is anxiety and it's very common with depression and is often a part of it.
I think it unlikely you will be found to fit support group descriptors given your current abilities even though you struggle with phones ime.

Muttleythefrog

wilmist wrote: »

The risk would be to myself health wise as it would make my stress even worse and also depression really worse.

With stress I would be a danger driving to work and making mistakes at work.

Doesn't it mean a risk to my own health not just someone elses

Thanks

That descriptor can be tough to qualify for.. although I seemed to meet it after taking a nurse into my thinking at medical. When the descriptor refers to any person then it can indeed mean you or any other person. So you could qualify if the risk was solely posed to yourself.

I think you'll have to weigh up whether appealing will be a sensible course of action... if you could get a HCP (your GP for example) to give written opinion that you meet descriptor x (that qualifies for support gp) and why then that could be powerful evidence. But it sounds like your contact with GP is minimal and I'm not sure you sound like you want a trail of medical problems being documented... a double edged sword if so (I'm reading between lines). It could be helpful to get clarity regarding your health... why you are suffering the problems you are... that as someone else above suggests are probably more medically significant than 'stress' as such. You could try to get third party support to appeal such as from CAB... but typically you're required to appeal within 4 weeks of receiving decision.. late appeals can be accepted with good cause given.

Mara69

wilmist wrote: »

My main problem is stress.

What coping mechanisms have you/your GP put in place to deal with the stress? Honestly, you cannot hide from life forever, you need to be pro-actively helping yourself - with the support of your GP, of course.