WRAG and agoraphobia

[Terror Gorilla]

Hello. I'm new here.

I have anxiety and agoraphobia. I'm 41 and have had mental health problems since 15. Five years ago I became agoraphobic. After four years my relationship ended and last year Shelter stopped me from becoming homeless. Apart from the short move from my old place to here (undertaken on three Diazepam and two days' no sleep from the terror) I haven't been outside in years. I have everything arranged to be delivered here, from food to medication.

Last year Shelter helped me apply for ESA and PIP. At first PIP was declined but approved at mandatory reconsideration. ESA has remained at assessment rate for the best part of a year. Once I moved here Shelter's help ended and I lost my support worker. I'm trying (and failling) to get much in the way of help. Last month, the DWP came to complete their assessment. Despite telling them about my situation I have today received a letter informing me that I must attend the Jobcentre. I assume this means I have been placed into the WRAG (they've not told me anything) but it's all moot anyway: there's no way at all I'll be able to attend and therefore I'm going to be sanctioned. Their letter gives me a week to prepare to do something I've been unable to do for years. I have no support and, apart from my elderly mother who lives a long way away in sheltered accomodaton, no family.

Can anyone please offer any advice?

[Bigboyuk]

Hi Terror Gorrila I am sorry to hear this mate this is getting quite common on here I am sure they are heart less people at DWP! Yeah they have a job to do fine but your condition means just that you simply cant leave the house. Ok you have been diagnosed that you have this condition by specialist? If you have get a written letter to back this up Iam so angry about this and yet saddened by their stupidity on this I feel for you. Have you spoke to mind (in most major towns/cities) about this or the CAB? Hey take care Cheers

[Terror Gorilla]

Yeah, I can get a letter (although, thinking about it, they've already had a letter which went in at the time of my mandatory reconsideration for PIP) to them if need be. I'm waiting to hear back from the CAB's advocacy people and I'll see what they say.

[Bigboyuk]

Yeah, I can get a letter (although, thinking about it, they've already had a letter which went in at the time of my mandatory reconsideration for PIP) to them if need be. I'm waiting to hear back from the CAB's advocacy people and I'll see what they say.

Trouble is different depts so it maybe handy to send another one for this assessment! Hey guarantee if you had serious physical problem you couldn't walk or something like that they would understand. Let us know how you get on Cheers

[Terror Gorilla]

I've just got off the phone with my local CAB. They immediately identified a contradiction in the DWP's decision to put me in WRAG, in that they came here to conduct my ESA assessment precisely because I cannot and do not go outside. So why then are they expecting me to attend the Jobcentre to meet my "work coach"? This is obvious but I really didn't think it through when I got the letter, which I suppose is the point and precisely why these things are written in order to intimidate.

Anyway, the CAB have taken my details and next week they'll get back to me. They have a meeting once a week in order to dish out their casework but they do give priority to people on hospital wards, so I might not be able to get help from them. If that happens, they'll try and get me assigned to another organisation. I'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I've just phoned the DWP and explained that I want the appointment suspended until I've had the chance to fully speak to the CAB, or equivalent, next week. They've taken my number and are going to call me back.

I'll keep this thread updated once I have more news.

[Bigboyuk]

I've just got off the phone with my local CAB. They immediately identified a contradiction in the DWP's decision to put me in WRAG, in that they came here to conduct my ESA assessment precisely because I cannot and do not go outside. So why then are they expecting me to attend the Jobcentre to meet my "work coach"? This is obvious but I really didn't think it through when I got the letter, which I suppose is the point and precisely why these things are written in order to intimidate.

Anyway, the CAB have taken my details and next week they'll get back to me. They have a meeting once a week in order to dish out their casework but they do give priority to people on hospital wards, so I might not be able to get help from them. If that happens, they'll try and get me assigned to another organisation. I'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I've just phoned the DWP and explained that I want the appointment suspended until I've had the chance to fully speak to the CAB, or equivalent, next week. They've taken my number and are going to call me back.

I'll keep this thread updated once I have more news.

Hey great work on the CAB front. Yeah it does seem outrageous that ESA assessment was at your home but then the DWP wanted to see you at the job centre very stupid decision. Hey at least now you have a bit more time to sort this damn mess out Good luck mate and thanks for the update Cheers

[spiceworld]

I am going through the same thing at the moment but in my case I have not been out for 26 years and I cannot cope with social situations either so cannot seek help and support as I cannot cope with seeing people. They have said I will be sanctioned if I don't attend the work coach meeting, just doing the home assessment was hard an now this. Not sure I can cope with much more of this life to be honest but apparently I am not at risk and suitable for the support group.

Please let me know if you manage to stop the job centre appointment while going through the mandatory reconsideration process.

[Bigboyuk]

The thing I want to stress that is so important the longer you leave it the harder it will become to adjust to normality 26 years is long time to be isolated it's probably for me around 10 years and yes it's hard to adjust I have found that out my self, but adjust I must unless of course you are happy as you are? I hope you can move forward on this ATB