No money to live on. HELP!

scaniajess

I suffer with bad Anxiety/Panic Attacks and Agoraphobia and have just had my ESA stopped. I was asked three times to attend a medical assessment 9 miles away and my gp asked for a home visit on all three occasions but I was always turned down and now, money has stopped as I am "fit for work". I can't claim JSA as obviously I would be falsely declaring that I am fit for work. I have just tried claiming Income Support but was told as I have an illness, I cannot claim that either. What on earth do I do??!! The benefits centre have gone and booked me an appointment this Friday to claim JSA as she said it was the only route to go down.

miduck

You need to appeal the ESA decision, but you will not receive any payment until you attend a medical. I appreciate how difficult it is, but if they will not grant a home visit you need to find a way to get there. Could you get someone to go with you, and/ or get a taxi there?

scaniajess

The only reason I havent appealed is because of attending the medical before getting money. There is no way I could travel there. I would have to be sedated! A woman I know was allowed a home visit as she couldnt go over bridges! How on earth can they say im fit for work when I cant leave the house? They're not just calling me a liar but my doctor too!

DannyboyMidlands

Could you work from home?

miduck

scaniajess wrote: »

The only reason I havent appealed is because of attending the medical before getting money. There is no way I could travel there. I would have to be sedated! A woman I know was allowed a home visit as she couldnt go over bridges! How on earth can they say im fit for work when I cant leave the house? They're not just calling me a liar but my doctor too!

This is why you need to appeal, the granting of home visits is very hit and miss. Also, as extreme as it is, if you need to then you should attend the assessment having taken a sedative (with support) - if that is what you need to go out then they should see that.

sinbin_72

I deplore this government.

BigAunty

Do you have a support worker or mental health professional or similar who can help you?

Have you considered contacting your MP? (not sure how helpful that would be but at least it would draw their attention to the process you are going through).

skintandscared_2

miduck wrote: »

This is why you need to appeal, the granting of home visits is very hit and miss. Also, as extreme as it is, if you need to then you should attend the assessment having taken a sedative (with support) - if that is what you need to go out then they should see that.

The trouble is, if a person is unable to leave the house and that is a fundamental point to their claim and they then turn up to an assessment, the assessor is likely to turn round and say "well you made it here didn't you". I have actually heard that with my own ears to someone who literally slept for about 5 hours in the week before the assessment and was shaking and close to vomiting by the time we got there.

slimthinker

Hi....I know how hard this is for you as I am in the same situation I rarely leave my four walls......I requseted a home visit but was refused. What they did offer though was a taxi from my door to the assesment and back again. It was a very difficult thing for me to do and my OH assisted me. They covered the taxi fare it didn't cost me a penny...If I were you I would try and get someone to go with you to make it a little less stressful. But to be fair we are all in the same boat...you need the benefit and to get it you HAVE to attend the medical...Simple as that really...Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but thats how it is I'm afraid...
Good luck !

Gentile

skintandscared wrote: »

The trouble is, if a person is unable to leave the house and that is a fundamental point to their claim and they then turn up to an assessment, the assessor is likely to turn round and say "well you made it here didn't you". I have actually heard that with my own ears to someone who literally slept for about 5 hours in the week before the assessment and was shaking and close to vomiting by the time we got there.

That is pretty much why a lot of them are trying to not go and attend a medical in case they feel that the person is fit for work since they were able travel for the medical.

slimthinker

Gentile wrote: »

That is pretty much why a lot of them are trying to not go and attend a medical in case they feel that the person is fit for work since they were able travel for the medical.

Totally agree with you but they are saying if you dont go you WILL get your benefit stopped so we really have no choice...So unfair to cause such stress and heartache...Its terrible