Face to Face (High Risk Suicide)

worldlad909

Hi,

Just before Christmas I completed the yearly ESA 50 booklet and provided heaps of evidence and letters from doctors and mental health specialists. It did specifically state I had attempted suicide on several occasions and that I'm under a 5 year mental health program and on strong medication.

A few weeks later I was requested to attend a face to face which would take 1.5 hours catching several buses, tubes and trains to get there, They gave me just 4 days notice to attend a face to face and it was Christmas Eve at 6.30pm my doctor just couldn't believe it. My GP then wrote a letter which stated that I am medically unfit for a face to face and that I'm at very high risk from suicide, the CAB are also helping me with this case.

The medical assessors stated it should only take 42 minutes to get to the appointment which is false.

If they really do need to see me then a face to face would be the only option, but as the NHS medical professionals have stated it's awfully strange why they haven't accepted the letters and evidence so far. This whole case ruined my Christmas and resulted in me having a breakdown with the thought of travelling and potentially losing everything.

In one hand the NHS are doing there best to help me get better and the government and dragging me back to square one.

nannytone_2

you can always request a home assessment.
it appears you have a supportive GP so only need for them to write a letter saying a home visit is required.
it isn't guaranteed, but usually accepted

worldlad909

Thanks this gives me some hope x

Tommo1980

This may sound harsh but in my opinion over emphasising suicide risk on ESA50 is not a good strategy.

I'm not doubting you in any way (I also have a history of self harm) but I believe it is often used by people to try to enter and stay in SG.

My only point being that if you want to try and avoid f2f assessments every year you may need to adjust how you complete ESA50

Tom

worldlad909

Thanks Tom if you have any guidance websites or anything it would be helpful. I should have spoken to the CAB to help me out with it.

Of if your prefer you can DM me privately.

Cheers.

Tommo1980

https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

http://www.youreable.com/forums/forum.php

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/

Some sites I have found useful.

Tom

McKneff

Where are you and where do you have to travel to.
Buses, tubes and trains doesn't seem right. We may be able to sort you out a better route

worldlad909

McKneff wrote: »

Where are you and where do you have to travel to.
Buses, tubes and trains doesn't seem right. We may be able to sort you out a better route

I may suffer badly with Mental Health issues but I have no problems sorting routes out thanks, regardless of how many different forms of transport I need to get, the distance is to far I don't even live in London yet thats where the appointment is. Like many others on here would agree giving personal information out is not going to happen.

vision2009

Also have a look here :
http://www.dwpexamination.org/