Benefits stopped.help me please!!!SUICIDAL

i have just joined this forum i have no idea if there is a thrwad on this cos i am in a complete panic right now, upset,crying at my very worst.
i got a letter today that said my incapacity benefit was stopped a few days ago..
im in the uk,im 36 and a single father i have severe anxiety issues,manic depression etc...
i recently had a medical assesment... a women asked me a ton of questions, she was speaking in broken english and i had just taken my 100mg pill a couple of hours before so i felt kinda ok... not so irratic as usual.
anyway..today i got the forms and it said i had only scored a 5 and that i now have my benefits stopped.

now im in total panic because im reading online about appeals that take months etc,i will be DEAD in months wthout money... dead.
i am going to hopefully get to see my doctor monday cos i really hope he can correct this women.
please do not direct me to other threads and forms...please please please just somebody tell me if i can get this problem sorted out soon ..
i cant wait for appeals etc,im suicidal.
help me please.

Hi Warren
Welcome to the site, despite the circumstances.
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I am surprised that the benefits agency stopped your benefit without prior warning and would have thought they would write and say they were going to and not already have done so..however maybe it would be a good idea to call the Incap Benefit team on Monday and explain your situation and ask them to review it and that you will be appealing. They will be able to tell you what benefit you will now go onto - I think it is Jobseekers Allowance that you will be moved onto.You can appeal within a month and a lot of people do and they get the decisions overturned in most cases.
You will not be left without money.The DHSS do not do that. You will be just moved onto a different benefit for now.
Citizens Advice are very good with helping people apply for benefits and will be able to give you some advice as to what you can do. They may probably ring the benefits agency on your behalf. They have benefits advisors working for them.
I know it must be very worrying for you and I can understand, but please do not get suicidal. Nothing is ever worth committing suicide for plus you have a child to care for.
This matter can and will get resolved. Personally I think it is wrong how genuine cases can be judged on their entire situation by 1 interview or form! It is very unfair. I know that the interviews are done to sort the non genuine from the genuine cases but it seems to be backfiring on the genuine cases. I read that a lot of people tend to not state on the forms how they are at their worst and play how they feel down and also at the interviews.
Speak to your gp about all of this and stress to him how you are feeling. He can help I am sure.
I know how difficult it may be but for now try putting it out of your mind as much as you can until Monday morning when you can deal with this situation. I can understand how frustrating and upsetting it is for you and I know how difficult it can be but try to relax a little.
If you do feel suicidal then please let someone know or call the Samaritans or 999. Please don't do anything drastic as this situation can be resolved.

Hugs to you.

hi..im a bit calmer now, if they change me onto income support or something ill be ok.but the fact that i got a letter today which i quote .

"as you scored 5 points we have decided that from 21/10/2009 you are not entitled to
incapicity benefit and national insurance credits.

this will leave me £420 short each month now, so you can see my panic.i cant afford to go without money. i live with my parents and my son who is now 13. my folks are in their 60's ...my mum relies on the 300 i give her each month.

anyway,the shock of getting this letter today 24th october really paniced me.
i mean the women i spoke to was i think polish, she was ofcourse pleasant but i had to explain slowly so she would understand.
the questions were things like "do you have friends?" do you have any pets? hobbies ? etc etc...all kinda trivial.
i had told her right away...it was 2.30pm that i had not slept whatsoever as i have bad insomnia,and if i know i have any kind of appointment i can never sleep the night before...
the form states that i have no problems sleeping.... !!!! the rest i cant bare to look at as im so irritated by it all..
i was just trying to be calm as possible,i am not crazy,..i saw her when i felt ok, this changes though within the day up and down. i havent cried in a few weeks but just before i burst into tears for nothing..this i used to do daily until i got on medication,
i dont know how sunday will go.... cos i am so anxious to see my doctor first thing monday so i can sort out this problem. i dont want to tell my parents.
all my benefits go direct into my mothers account,so i dont waste it on comfort shopping.
the fact that this womens questionaire has stopped my benefits has made me furious.
i wont sleep tonight, its 1.30 now ill be up till i guess 6 at least.
i never knew that this could happen and im disgusted, im also disgusted with myself for being nice and calm.
maybe it would of been better for her to interview me when im in uncontrolable tears or screaming when alone in the house.
i feel like doing myself in just to spite her.

Im so sorry this has happened to you.. I wish I had some advice to give you but I don't live in your country and I don't know anything at all about your systems!

All I can offer is an ear that will listen if you need to talk. Please get help from your doctor regarding suicidal thoughts. I've been suicidal a few times and once you look back you realise you had so much to live for even when the times were so so tough. Thats how life goes, there are ups and there are downs and things will turn around for you. This financial situation can be resolved and your parents and child need you in their lives.

:hugs:

No need to panic your sons over the age of 12 so you will need to claim job seekers and income support for your son i'm a single parent with a 13 year old we have about £120 a week with the rent and council tax paid for us. The benefits department always make changes with out telling people before hand.
You will be able to apply for a crisis loan till you sort your benefits so you wont be left with out money.

I am sorry to hear about this. The horrible and worrying thing about this is that they are just more interested about getting people off benefits without looking properly at your situation. I am also hearing from people that they say that they are having problems sleeping but then the form come back that its been recorded that they have no problems sleeping which I think is totally out of order.

The only thing I can ask is are you entitled to child tax credits?

I also think that they could have told you when they sent the letter that you could apply for JSA instead so that is now going to delay your money. Im sorry to sound a bit negative on here but I think this is going to start happening to a lot of genuine cases from now on. I hope your appeal comes thru as soon as possible and in the meantime contact your doctor and your CPN to discuss it and try not to worry. Hope you get income support or jsa as soon as possible.

Hi Warren,

What as happened to you is almost a carbon copy of what happened to me. I also got my benefits stopped, I became suicidal and was put in the charge of the Home Crisis Resolution Team. Like you I did not get the 10 pnts from the incapacity questionnaire, I had 5pnts from mental health and 1pnt from physical health. I appealed the decision, I was advised by the Job Center that they would still have to pay my benefits while my claim was under appeal. It will then take 1-2 months for the decision on the appeal and your appeal will probably be turned down. My Job Center adviser said she had not heard of an appeal succeeding. My appeal was turned down and sent to a tribunal, my benefits were also slightly reduced at this time. It took about 6-7 months for the tribunal, but I was still receiving benefits. You will be given an option to turn up personally to the tribunal or just send in paperwork. But you should turn up, as very few actually win tribunals without turning up in person. I won my tribunal and the reduction in my benefits were all back dated. The judge at the tribunal told me that I should never have been sent to a tribunal as my condition clearly made me dysfunctional, and she admitted to failings in the benefit system that did not account for some of the difficulties mental health sufferers encountered. I hope that is of some help.

Take care,

John :hugs:

Hey Warren,something very similar happened to me about two years ago.I scored 9 when I needed the 10 points and was informed I wouldn't be getting incapacity benefit any more.As it turned out,my wife and I were able to manage because I was claiming carer's allowance for her,plus she was getting disability living allowance and income support,so it wasn't so much of an issue as to whether we had enough money.Nevertheless,it is disgusting how vulnerable people like yourself receive letters like that without any kind of follow up or response into how it might affect you.On the day I answered my questions,I was having a not-so-bad day and answered accordingly.Big mistake as it turned out,their questions are so black and white and simply don't allow for variations in how and when we might be badly affected by our illnesses.However there are some very good answers posted already and no they won't let you go without any money and your doctor is a good place to start,my wife (who is physically disabled) had a lovely supportive letter written out by her GP when she was facing legal action over an unpaid TV licence bill.

Take care Warren and everything will work out fine ok?

Warmest wishes, Fishy

Hi

I had a medical about 5 months ago, i suffer with anx and panic attacks and have been off work since last may.

I had a letter a few weeks after the medical saying i failed. i have to appeal but im still getting my money which is ESA £64 a week.

If i fail the medical i was told i go onto job seekers allowance which im worried about as i am still employed but signed off sick.

i am a single parent with a child of 9 and i find it so hard to manage on this money, it doesnt help the panic and anxiety

these medicals we have to go to are awful. this doctor who i never met , sae me for about 10 mins and based her decision on that.

i was having a better day than others, i wish she had seen me at my worst!

love mandie x

Hi again Warren
How are you feeling today?
I was reading online about the medicals for incapacity benefit and it seems a lot of people are now being taken off Incap Benefit and being made to go onto Job Seekers Allowance.
There were a lot of people saying on one site that they had not been asked specific questions at the interview and yet in the letters the DHSS sent out, it had made out they had been asked the questions. There was one guy who said he had insomnia and all sorts of other problems and yet the medical examiner had wrote down that his problems were fine and did not suffer with those things.
You can appeal up to 1 month from the decision apparently, and from what some of the people on the site had said, they got their gp involved, by him writing a letter. plus getting help off Citizens Advice and the Welfare Rights Officer at the local council. Each council has one.
A lot of appeals do get over turned, but it seems the ones that do get them overturned have gone to the appeal with a Welfare Rights Officer and also had plenty of support from their gp. Citizens Advice also helped a lot.
People who were waiting for an appeal hearing, went on Job Seekers Allowance at a reduced rate to the Incap Benefit, but if they won the appeal, then they got a backlog of Incap Benefit paid out.
I do hope you win the appeal. Let us know how it all goes.
Take care

:bighug1:big hug Warren. These agencies are so insensitive. You will not be left without benefits and you will get through this.

Veronica

you can appeal the descion.

Hi warren glad you got it sorted out but you are exactly like me things like that make me go into panic frenzy. few weeks ago i was told i could get child tax credits for son iam single mum and i went for it filled forms then got told my income support stopped fo rhim and they taking over i went in to frenzy onphone i bet she thought i was nuts .it do worry me and i am lad you got it sorted out.

Hello again.I started this thread,but have been offline for a while and couldnt remember my password or which email i used... anyway heres whats happened.

I got a total knock back from the moronic appeal.I did not read the letter the appeal info or anything...a no is a no, so it all went in the bin.
My incapacity benefit was cut, i did go to my doctor and i thought he was going to be able to sort it all out....
However the pigs at the benefit office can totally override a doctors decision it seems....they are right my doctor is wrong..they know best obviously.
now this comming week i have now 2 appointments.
The first is some "back to work" thing which i guess if i dont answer everything the nazi behind the desk will cut off my EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE ...even though,medically i should be on INCAPACITY BENEFIT...i have no idea what to expect only a full on patronising pen pusher....
The next appointment i have is back at the same office where the nazi bitch decided i was totally fit for work after seeing me for 5 minutes (i wish she could of seen me the day i got my letter about my benefit money and she could of moped up the blood from my arms.)
anyway im off to see another moron at that office (i specifically told them that i under no circumstances will see a female incase its the first nazi who has caused me now months of endless worry stress and self harm)

Now down to my big question.

since the nazis have stopped my incapacity benefit...and the appeal was a total non starter etc...

HOW DO I GET BACK ON INCAPACITY BENEFIT?

thats my only concern, or is it a case of "your ok now and will be ok forever you can NEVER go back on incapacity benefit under any circumstances you benefit claiming lazy tax burden!"

Both interviews will be done in a t shirt so hopefully these fools will see im not exacty of sound mind and am not just a benefit scrounger etc etc.
My concern is this though...straight away i know if i am not calm (i.e pilled out my mind on double medication) i will be irratic and then i will be further patronised by the pen pusher and get ALL my benbefits stopped because i am not kissing their arse and being all nice...
i cant be nice to these people at all ever.... if im nice..im seen as totally fit for work etc..(even though i can be self harming while actually sat at the desk under my sleeves) ...
if i am irratic ill get penalised out of sheer spite from the nazi pen pusher.

as you can imagine im anxious worried upset and mostly annoyed that i have to go through not one but two patronising interviews only to proberbly then be told i should join the dole que and go back to square one.

so again my only question...

how do i get back on incapacity benefit? (without filling out all those patronising forms etc)

hope you can help cos the way im feeling im likely to be escorted off the premesis and all my money stopped.

thanks... and sorry for being so irritable... (you can blame the pen pusher for that)

Hi again
I am sending you this link.
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/...15412.xml.html

and also this link which takes you to some advice on another site - peoples own experiences and opinions http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...html?t=2072367

I don't blame you for feeling as you do. It must be very frustrating.
Have you tried contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau? - they are very good at helping with helping people with issues relating to the DWP.
I can understand how angry you must feel - but try your hardest not to get funny with the DWP staff because it will not do you any favours. Try to remain calm and explain exactly how you feel at your worst. If you are having a good day then don't let them know that or show it. Fill out any paperwork as if you were at your very worst. Answer all questions because they wont pay you anything if you dont.That applies to everyone.
The DWP are looking for any way to get you back into work so you have to convince them just how bad you really are. Even if you are feeling better than usual on that date, then act like you are when you are at your worst.
I personally think it is disgusting how the DWP can make an opinion on someone within such a short amount of time and why is a medical examiner needed if your own gp is satisfied that you are unwell??? Its so wrong? Your own gp knows you more than a DWP medical examiner who sees you for a short while.
If this were me, I would go back to my gp and tell him how unwell I am and how all this is affecting you. Explain what has happened. I would appeal constantly against the decisions as far as it can be appealed. The DWP do have an Ombudsman you can appeal to. Do you have a complaints procedure booklet from the DWP? If not, then ask for one, from them. Your case will be looked at independently then by a person outside of the DWP.
Everyone is being taken off Incap Benefit and moved onto ESA by the end of 2013, I think it is - Incap Benefit won't exist eventually.
The whole benefits system is a mess it seems, and has been ruined by people who fraudently claim and it is unfair on the genuine cases like yourself.
There are people on benefits on this site, so hopefully they may be able to help you. How do people manage??? It sounds a nightmare, having to try and prove how unwell you are.
I wish you all the best. Let us know how you do get on.

Hi.

I totally understand the frustation and anger that you are feeling as I am going through the same process with my daughter, she only started getting ESA a few months ago.

There are two groups that people in receipt of ESA can be put in, the work related activities group or the support group.
I wont go into great detail here but my daughter was placed in the work related activities group, in other words she has to attend regular meetings with a "expert adviser" who can decided to send her to any work placement that he or she sees fit.

Just to give people some idea of how "fixed" this benefit is against people, here are a few facts.

Nobody is exempt from the medical and subsequent interviews. My daughter was classed by a doctor who saw her for 10 mins as "able to take part in work related activities".

She receives High rate DLA (Disability Living Allowance) for both care and mobility and has done since the age of 5, the DLA has been awarded for life. We are talking about someone who has a mental age of 12-13 and has never been out by herself anywhere. Ever.

I have appealed and am awaiting the outcome of this appeal. When I rang the appeals section before Christmas I was informed that appeals are decided purely on any medical advice that is provided in detail, a sick note or something similar wont do.
She also informed me that generally appeals were decided on whether the examining doctor had followed "procedure" ie ticked all the right boxes.
If the answer to that is yes, then you have little chance.

Oh, forgot to mention..doctor decided that my daughter has no mobility problems because she saw her "walk from one room to another very slowly, a distance of 15 metres"

Bitter? You bet your life I'm bitter but there is no way I'm going to back down from this fight.

Warren get yourself some outside help like Poppy has suggested and dont them them beat you. If you lose the plot at the centre, they will have won.

Dont give up the (peaceful!) fight. :flowers:

Hi Warren,
Unfortunately these people only deal with what they can see. I suffer from a degenarative back condition, every time I see these people I have to play my back at its worse!! I feel terrible for doing it, but when I'm bad, I'm bad cant walk. cant get dressed, live on pain killers etc. My brother is Downs Syndrome, and at times is a pain in the neck to walk with, he will walk slowly talking to himself, head down, he will totally ignore roads and needs supervision, yet my mum cant get the higher rate of mobility for him. He has a Downs friend whos like him, but not as dangerous to himself, yet because he lives in a different area, they get the higher rate and therfore a car and all its benefits, and his parents can work whereas my mum cant because of her caring for my bro. I would recommend going to see your MP, getting a paper trail started of all your appointments and every doctor you've seen. I really, really feel for you, I'm on incapacity, my husband at the moment works but is slowly going blind, and both hubby and son have Asperger/Autism. Unfortunately you have to play the system.
Good luck and dont give up
Angela
Ps my husband used to work for DWP he suggested that you get an advocat, mind, wefare rights, mencap can help. The forms are so difficult to fill in that even well educated people struggle. He also said that you are entitled to see an employment officer for disabilities which should be available in every office!! (yes as if!!)

Hi all
I found this online. It was mentioned on another forum.
Hope it may be of some use to you regarding ESA medicals and other benefits. It gives examples and tests of the questions that are asked and therefore gives you a better chance of being successful at the medical.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

I really do feel for you Warren as I know people who are in the same situation. You could try Rethink, they have a great advocacy service

http://www.rethink.org/

I am receiving Incapacity Benefit and DLA (high rate care, low mobility). My social worker sorted this out for me many years ago. I was alarmed to hear that they are getting rid of IB, nobody has informed me of this! I was awarded my DLA for an indefinate period a few years ago, does this now mean they can stop it and try to make me work? Don't get me wrong, I would love to be able to work, but I have severe mental health issues and besides I take a lot of medication which have sedative effects.

Sorry for the waffle, it makes me angry that people who do deserve benefits don't get them yet you see so many people who play the system when they are more than capable of working and they seem to get everything going.

Keep fighting Warren xxx

thanks for the replies.im just gonna see how it goes at the job centre on wednesday.i expect nothing but a full on patronising.

Right now both my arms are burning since i heated up a jagged bread knife on the oven while cooking.I hope it looks disgusting by the morning so i make my interviwers sick.
I also have just one line to say to the nazi bitch who made me do this...i will not mention it here as it is far far to cruel.but i expect her to burst into tears.im looking forward to being the most cruelest heartless ******* on earth.... why not? they thought nothing of making me like this....
maybe i shouldnt post such stuff but rather than me cry myself to sleep id rather think of the cruelest things to say to my tormentors.... i wish them nothing but misery.. there is no time for being nice.

sorry. just had to vent my anger as im in a lot of pain right now.

I understand how hurt and upset you must be feeling at the moment, but being nasty and personally attacking the staff at the job centre won't get you anywhere .. well apart from them calling the police and having you removed. Also going there with freash scars visable, they will probably view you are being violent. I also self harm but have never been asked to show my scars, it is down in my notes.

I am sure that you will get a better results if you go there, be yourself and put your points forward in proper manner, without the need to insult people that are trying to do their very difficult job.

Good luck and please let us know how you get on xxx

sorry was just in an awful mood last night.i stopped my medication a couple weeks ago ( id o this ofter) but last night had to start again with a double dose....back to square one again...oh well.

Hi Warren

I am in roughly the same situation and can imagine more and more people will be with the governments new stance on this area (I f'ing hate Gordon Brown and new new labour right now, Fascists). Apologies for the language, however I am furious at how this new system is being carried out and how people in similar situations to us being made to suffer. Politics aside.

I became disable nearly 2 years ago with Agoraphobia steaming from my social anxiety and depression. I made a successful claim for Incapacity Benefit and the other one(cant remember the name right this minute). That claim was cancelled as I became to ill to pick up the regular medical certificates. No go outside = no picking up certificates.

It was a long while before I was able to make a new claim. By this time they had switched the process to Employment and Support Allowance (don't get me started).
When they (finally) came to a decision, they had decided not to award any funds as I had "Not made enough national insurance contributions for previous year". Of cause not I was DISABLED. Idiots.

I then had my medical assessment which was conducted at home, thankfully. At the time my symptoms were not as apparent as I was very pleased that something was finally happening with my claim. Of cause being at home made me more relaxed than usual. As I was feeling optimistic I over trivialised much of my condition.

and yes, I got the same letter stating that I was not deemed disable enough, or to that effect. I appealed, sent a 5 page letter.

Despite being very very clear about my inabilities I had received a letter today saying that they stand by there initial decision and it is now going to a tribunal. I panicked naturally, only just managed to calm myself down. I am now waiting for the tribunal date.

My advise to anyone would be to not downplay your condition during the medical assessment and don't for one second assume that because they are a "doctor" they will make assumptions in your favour. In fact they will do quite the opposite. I'm sorry warren this doesn't really help you as like me we are past that stage. It is more targeted at others looking through this thread for information.

Thanks to John Luke 300 for his incite. This pushed me to do some information digging. I was goggling "Welfare Rights Officer Edinburgh" to find someone to help to help with my benefits claim, has I had clearly mucked it up. I found this organisation on the Edinburgh City Council link to ECC page. They are called the Advise Shop and they help you with your claims for benefits. They also help with appeals and as an added bonus can represent you as a legal body at your tribunal. Im sorry that the information I have is for Edinburgh only but I have included the link just in case you want to pick up any buzz words that will help you in your search. You may be able to find something similar in your area.

They have been very helpful and accommodating with my condition. I am just waiting for an envelope from them so I can send all the information the DWP sent me and they can begin looking at my case.

I'm sorry that I could not over more advise to your personal situation Warren but my heart goes out to you and I wish you luck.

Steve

Everyone please let us know how you get on with your dealings with this. Information at this point is important as the DWP don't want to give any.