Very worried after Health Assessment

Not_Another_Username

It was suggested that I post in this board.

Briefly, about me: I have about £5000 worth of debt. Not a huge amount and I have been managing some repayments quite well.

I live on my own. I have minor mental health issues, although I don't like to call them that. I can't seem to handle anything remotely complicated. I get depressed (marriage break-up almost two years ago.) Very lonely / wound-up and shout, beat myself up (metaphorically) because I cannot seem to do anything right. I take anti-depressants. They help but not entirely.

I had my health assessment last week and, of course, I will be found fit for work, which I am ... perhaps, though I will struggle.

For about a year, I have developed a foot condition, probably plantar fasciitis, which my mother had - my symptoms are the same. My doctor doesn't seem to care and has given me anti-inflammatory tablets. I am not in pain ALL the time, but I cannot walk about 20-30% of the time due to intense pain, mostly in the heels, and especially in the morning.

I am very worried about what happens next. If my ESA gets stopped, I will presumably be moved to JSA, although Lincolnshire is supposed to be moving over to Universal Credit this month. I haven't heard anything about it recently and wondered if it had been postponed.

Am I likely to be without money for weeks when I change over from ESA to JSA? I have friends who have been swapped over like this and have been waiting several weeks for payments. though they live in different areas.

I am very worried about what is going to happen as I find it difficult to cope these days, but, on the positive side, I have been doing much better in myself, feel more confident and I have been trying to build on something which I would like to turn into a business. Early signs are very promising. I plan to apply for the government's Enterprise scheme, which I hope will get me on my way, but at 57, I fear I might be too old. Maybe there is something better than this, but I don't expect these schemes to last for long.

Please somebody tell me this is not going to be as bad as I think. I know I shouldn't be worrying about something which hasn't happened, but I know I am likely to be without money for a few weeks. This absolutely terrifies me and will cause problems.

Incidentally, this health assessment was supposed to have been done last November, but it has been cancelled every time, supposedly due to staff shortages and assessors being off sick. I just think it's my age - they now how difficult it is to find work in this small seaside town.

Regards.

John.

poppy12345

ESA is about the work you can do, rather than the work you can't do. Did you send in evidence to support your claim?



You can ring DWP to ask for a copy of the assessment report, this will give you some idea what the decision is likely to be because they mostly go with that report.



As you're unsure if your area is a full UC area then check it here, with your postcode and it will tell you.
https://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate


If it is then it will be this you'll need to claim and it takes 5-6 weeks for your first money and it's paid monthly.


If it's not and you have to claim JSA then it could be a couple of weeks before your first payment but it's certainly a shorter time the UC.