Need Help. Very stressed.

LadyMorticia

Long story short. I was meant to attend a medical interview but due to my mental health couldn't.

I received a letter asking why I hadn't attended. I phoned up and told them. The person I spoke to was very understanding and said she'd sort it out and arrange a home visit.

I received a letter today saying that they hadn't heard from me and that I am deemed eligible to work.

I have severe agoraphobia and BPD. I cannot go out the house, let alone hold down a job.

What are my rights on this?

This has made me so stressed.

xx

seven-day-weekend

I think you can appeal - get a Welfare Rights Office5 at the CAB to help you.

I think maybe the problem was you should have let them know before the medical that you couldn't attend. However, if you have since spoken to someone who said they would sort it out, then maybe this should be part of your appeal.

LadyMorticia

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I think you can appeal - get a Welfare Rights Office5 at the CAB to help you.

I think maybe the problem was you should have let them know before the medical that you couldn't attend. However, if you have since spoken to someone who said they would sort it out, then maybe this should be part of your appeal.

I have a fear of the phone and phoning people I don't know, which is why I didn't let them know before hand. It took all my courage to phone IS up to let them know.

I've written a letter of appeal and I'll go to Hunts.Mind (the local mental health drop in) to ask if they can help me too.

Thanks.
xx

Fat_Fairy

You have to take some responsibility for yourself - as you are able to post here then you were able to write beforehand and explain why you couldn't face going to the interview, surely? .

My husband also has a fear of the phone so I do understand, but he always asks me to do the phoning for him, or write/e-mail instead. In fact writing is better because you have a record of what you have told them then.

kelloggs36

I agree - why didn't you write a letter and post it?

seven-day-weekend

A good idea going to see MIND. I'm sure they will be able to help you with your appeal.

I I do understand too,about the phone calll - at one time my husband couldn't have made or received a phone call, but the onus is still on you to let them know.

Next time, ask someone else to phone for you, in advance, or write a letter or e-mail explaining why you can't attend the medical and asking them to contact you by post/e-mail only (or authorise someone else to speak on the phone on your behalf). Maybe MIND could help you with this too?

Good luck with your appeal.

LadyMorticia

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

A good idea going to see MIND. I'm sure they will be able to help you with your appeal.

I I do understand too,about the phone calll - at one time my husband couldn't have made or received a phone call, but the onus is still on you to let them know.

Next time, ask someone else to phone for you, in advance, or write a letter or e-mail explaining why you can't attend the medical and asking them to contact you by post/e-mail only (or authorise someone else to speak on the phone on your behalf). Maybe MIND could help you with this too?

Good luck with your appeal.

I hardly see anyone through out the week. My fiancee isn't here and my agoraphobia means I find it hard to go to the doctor. I haven't been to MIND in months but I really want to go to get this sorted out.

My mental health has been gradually getting worse and sometimes I find it hard to articulate myself. I always worry that when I write to Income Support or other benefits agencies that the way I word it will affect whether I get benefits of not.

I'm the sort of person, who everyday things affect more than a lot of people. A lot of people may get angry at being denied benefits but I just get really upset and cry a lot. I worry about bills and rent. I worry about everything.

I noticed that on the letter they sent me, it says Incapacity Benefit. Is there a chance that I will still receive Income Support until all this is sorted out?

xx

LadyMorticia

kelloggs36 wrote: »

I agree - why didn't you write a letter and post it?

Even if I did write a letter, how would I post it?
I don't live near a letterbox and I suffer from agoraphobia so leaving the house is horrendous to me.
I don't see any friends or anything so I couldn't get anyone to post it for me.

dmg24

LM, please ignore those that are being unhelpful.

You know that you made a mistake in missing your appointment, and it took a lot of courage for you to make that phonecall. That really was a big step for you. Well done x

Fat Fairy, not everyone has someone to help them in these situations, and telling someone in LM's position to 'take responsibility' does make you come across as quite ignorant.

kelloggs36, perhaps you should think before you post? LM's response succinctly demonstrates why you should do so.

LM, can you recall the name of the person that you spoke to? If so, make sure you note this in your correspondance. Best of luck with getting this sorted out x

LadyMorticia

dmg24 wrote: »

LM, please ignore those that are being unhelpful.

You know that you made a mistake in missing your appointment, and it took a lot of courage for you to make that phonecall. That really was a big step for you. Well done x

Fat Fairy, not everyone has someone to help them in these situations, and telling someone in LM's position to 'take responsibility' does make you come across as quite ignorant.

kelloggs36, perhaps you should think before you post? LM's response succinctly demonstrates why you should do so.

LM, can you recall the name of the person that you spoke to? If so, make sure you note this in your correspondance. Best of luck with getting this sorted out x

Thank you. I'm sorry if I came over as rude. I just get so stressed.

I can't recall the name of the person I spoke to. Sometimes phoning up makes me nervous so I forget to ask. All I remember is that it was a lady. I guess that's not much help.

I'm going to keep a copy of all correspondence with the DWP. I just fear that if I take ages to send the letter than I'll have to go through the whole claiming process again.

xx

dmg24

Don't worry, you didn't come across as rude at all hun.

You take care x