Mental health and UC

gilly58

Has anyone had good support when claim UC with a mental illness, I'm worried of claiming in case it makes me worse, or they don't understand 
Some of the stories you read are scarey 

[Deleted User]

I found the people in the job centre lovely and understanding enough - last year during a period of anxiety and then the sudden loss of a pet meant I was not really myself and the JC decided I needed to have appointments at a quieter time - my experience was literally only couple of weeks though and before any assessment. I have mixed views about the people on the phones for DWP and the so called debt management department; I didn't think it was the right decision to put the telephone down on someone when caller is nervously laughing whilst trying to sort an issue. But that's me even if I have customers swearing and screaming I still hold out for them to do the hanging up.

elsien

The claim system for UC is predominantly online. There is a helpline but it took over an hour of waiting to get through last time I tried (pre COVID) so probably longer now and they do point you at online as their preference. The person I was supporting was on a mental health unit in hospital - all the problems we had arose because of the DWP not being able to accept someone couldn’t use the online system. The rest of the claim/MH side wasn’t an issue. 
What are your specific concerns? 

poppy12345

gilly58 said:

Some of the stories you read are scarey 

This ^ is the worst thing you can do. Obviously people will only ever post the bad stories because if they're happy with their claim they have no questions to ask so we don't hear their story.

calcotti

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

gilly58

calcotti said:

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

It's been a difficult few months, first I thought i was being made redundant, then I've had issues since, I appreciate everyone's advice 

poppy12345

gilly58 said:

calcotti said:

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

It's been a difficult few months, first I thought i was being made redundant, then I've had issues since, I appreciate everyone's advice 

I'm sorry to hear that but all this "thinking and asking questions" isn't going to get a benefit claim started. UC can't be backdated so you're only losing money by doing this.

Although NsESA can be backdated a maximum of 3 months, with a backdated fit note. This will obviously depend on when you finished work.

MalMonroe

calcotti said:

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

If the OP needs some extra advice and support from this site, I'm sure that's okay. Sometimes people just need some friendly reassurance as well.

poppy12345

MalMonroe said:

calcotti said:

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

If the OP needs some extra advice and support from this site, I'm sure that's okay. Sometimes people just need some friendly reassurance as well.

I agree but that isn't going to get a benefit claim started..

calcotti

MalMonroe said:

calcotti said:

OP, you first posted about your redundancy in September. You are going round in circles with your numerous threads. If you claim UC but then find you don’t want to carry on you can always close your claim.  

If the OP needs some extra advice and support from this site, I'm sure that's okay. Sometimes people just need some friendly reassurance as well.

I wasn’t suggesting otherwise, just concerned for OP that they are overthinking everything (which I understand may be a symptom of the mental health issues they have referred to) and as a result putting off getting the financial support they may need. That’s why I highlighted that they can always withdraw a claim later if they wish to.