First WFI Appointment. Problems Attending.

xsunnysuex

I am in the WRAG. I have just received the letter asking me to attend my first wfi appointment.
I am really scared, because I don't think I will be able to go. I suffer from depression and agrophobia. I never go out on my own. My brother who lives quite a way from me takes me to any appointments I can't avoid going to.
However, my brother works and can't always get time off to take me. My appointment is 13th May. I called my advisor and explained my situation. She has told me to see if I can get anyone else to come with me. If I can't I have to call her back a few days before my appointment.
I asked what would happen if I can't get anyone to come with me. She said she doesn't know. They will have to take it to the next stage.
My brother says he will not be able to come with me, as he has had a lot of time off work lately. What is going to happen?
I did ask the advisor if I could do the interview on the phone. But she said that would not be possible.
I'm not being awkward. I just won't be able to go on my own. My brother is the only one that I have to help me, as I live miles away from family and friends. As my brother is unable to help me this time. What will happen to me? I am so scared.

Morlock

Have you requested a home visit? If not you should do, hopefully it may relieve some of your anxiety.

"If you feel that you are unable to travel to an assessment centre for your ESA assessment and would like the assessment to be carried out in your home, please call our Contact Centre on 0800 2888 777. They will ask you to provide information from your treating medical professional to explain why you are unable to travel to an assessment centre. Atos Healthcare cannot help you with any charges from your medical professional for providing a letter."

http://www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants/faq_view/11

Torry_Quine

Morlock wrote: »

Have you requested a home visit? If not you should do, hopefully it may relieve some of your anxiety.

"If you feel that you are unable to travel to an assessment centre for your ESA assessment and would like the assessment to be carried out in your home, please call our Contact Centre on 0800 2888 777. They will ask you to provide information from your treating medical professional to explain why you are unable to travel to an assessment centre. Atos Healthcare cannot help you with any charges from your medical professional for providing a letter."

http://www.atoshealthcare.com/claimants/faq_view/11

that's about a WCA to deterine if you will get ESA.

the poster is talkin about the WFI which is when you go to the job-centre and see an advisor for 'help' to get back into work.

rogerblack

Morlock wrote: »

Have you requested a home visit? If not you should do, hopefully it may relieve some of your anxiety.

This has nothing to do with ATOS.
WFI are arranged by the jobcentre, at the jobcentre.
They cannot be done as a home visit.
They can be either postponed, or done by phone, if the jobcentre agrees.

Dogger69

You have a few weeks to prepare for this, why not try to make a plan to attend? Can you get a taxi there? If you do try to go and you become anxious, what can you do to overcome this? Breathing exercises, talking yourself through your panic, distracting yourself - all can be used as coping mechanisms to get you through the difficult time.

Could your brother do a test run with you when he is off work?

Morlock

Torry_Quine wrote: »

that's about a WCA to deterine if you will get ESA.

the poster is talkin about the WFI which is when you go to the job-centre and see an advisor for 'help' to get back into work.

Oh yes, I misread the post, sorry.

Poppie68

Is it not possible for your partner to accompany you?

LunaLady

Could your daughter help you?

Dovah_diva

You can't attend this, but can attend a carvery for lunch, Chessington & the cinema? You can find people to accompany you to nice places but not your important benefit meeting? You really need to re-think your priorities.

tommix

Dovah_diva wrote: »

You can't attend this, but can attend a carvery for lunch and Chessington? You can find people to accompany you to nice places but not your important benefit meeting? You really need to re-think your priorities.

She probably did those things on a weekend, when people are off work. Might be a bit harder to arrange an escort during the working week.

Dovah_diva

tommix wrote: »

She probably did those things on a weekend, when people are off work. Might be a bit harder to arrange an escort during the working week.

Maybe so, but it does appear that she has very selective agoraphobia! All three places visited can be very crowded and busy. Unusual choices for a person who is agoraphobic.

Anyway, these meetings are important and I am sure that as attendance is dependant on benefit money being paid, either her daughter, partner or brother can find the time to accompany her,