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So I had another wonderous appointment with the Job Centre today. My Mum wanted me to claim Universal Credit as if I'm still disabled and unable to work when she dies I need something in place so I'm not out on the streets. The issue is that dealing with DWP/The Job Centre has really sent me over the edge. My PIP claim (a benefit for disabled people both in and out of work for help with the added costs of being disabled) was surprisingly stress free. Dealing with the Job Centre has been something else entirely. They refuse to admit that I'm unfit for work until I've had an assessment from their outsourced company even though I have a wealth of medical evidence which states that and indeed I'm still covered by sick notes.
It's hard to explain just how demeaning the whole process is as you always feel that you're on a knife edge and at the mercy of them in terms of making arrangements for your condition and being subject to sanctions. They've threatened with making me come in person which, considering the local terrain, will definitely damage my powerchair. I did say that if they do and my wheelchair gets damaged I will hold them responsible and seek compensation.
The main issue is that my ability to mobilise is complicated - there's one wheelchair taxi company and so you're at the mercy of how busy they are (very as they're the only reliable company) so it's 50/50 if they can do the job. There's also the fact that there is one route I can do here (to the train station) but I wouldn't say it's safe and I am taking a significant risk every time I try it. I've got the angle of the hill to my house wrong once and had to cling onto railings so I didn't fall backwards into a main road and it's only when a passer by helped I was only able to avoid serious injury or death. I can't go to anywhere I haven't been before due to the terrain issues. So that's the problem, I'm not technically housebound but there are significant risks. I went to my neuro-physio appointment by getting a regular taxi and shunting along the floor on my backside inside. That's effectively what I'm reduced to doing if I have an appointment locally.
I suppose my dilemma is really taking the Universal Credit or not - my PIP money has been how I've been able to plan some trips out (the mobility issues mean going out means throwing a shedload of money at it). The problem I have is that the whole process of claiming UC has sent my mental health off a cliff due to the stress. It's easily the worst it's been in ten years when I had a dangerously severe depressive episode. This impacts on my condition as it triggers my autism - the stress of waiting for the phone appointments with the Job Centre basically means I'll have a meltdown before and after (I also managed to have one during today!) which will lead to a shutdown. This will wipe me out for a week. Any motivation and energy I had will be wiped out so we're back at chronic fatigue square one.
I'm minded to just take the PIP money and not go out until I'm better and save all of that in case the worst happens. The issue there is that I'm aware not going out just makes my autism worse - it's very much a case of 'use it or lose it' with me. If I don't socialise, if/when I'm better my social skills will be back at zero and I'll be crazily overwhelmed in any social environment. It's a hard one really. My gut feeling is that my physical health recovery should take priority and anything which is hampering that should be kicked into touch.
Apologies for the long, rambling post. Had a hell of a day with all this and just needed to vent.
For some context about our benefits system in the UK - these eye opening articles are worth reading:
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
citizen-network.org
I'm fortunate in that I live a comfortable life and have a roof over my head but my position is precarious in the long-term due to my mother's health.
It's hard to explain just how demeaning the whole process is as you always feel that you're on a knife edge and at the mercy of them in terms of making arrangements for your condition and being subject to sanctions. They've threatened with making me come in person which, considering the local terrain, will definitely damage my powerchair. I did say that if they do and my wheelchair gets damaged I will hold them responsible and seek compensation.
The main issue is that my ability to mobilise is complicated - there's one wheelchair taxi company and so you're at the mercy of how busy they are (very as they're the only reliable company) so it's 50/50 if they can do the job. There's also the fact that there is one route I can do here (to the train station) but I wouldn't say it's safe and I am taking a significant risk every time I try it. I've got the angle of the hill to my house wrong once and had to cling onto railings so I didn't fall backwards into a main road and it's only when a passer by helped I was only able to avoid serious injury or death. I can't go to anywhere I haven't been before due to the terrain issues. So that's the problem, I'm not technically housebound but there are significant risks. I went to my neuro-physio appointment by getting a regular taxi and shunting along the floor on my backside inside. That's effectively what I'm reduced to doing if I have an appointment locally.
I suppose my dilemma is really taking the Universal Credit or not - my PIP money has been how I've been able to plan some trips out (the mobility issues mean going out means throwing a shedload of money at it). The problem I have is that the whole process of claiming UC has sent my mental health off a cliff due to the stress. It's easily the worst it's been in ten years when I had a dangerously severe depressive episode. This impacts on my condition as it triggers my autism - the stress of waiting for the phone appointments with the Job Centre basically means I'll have a meltdown before and after (I also managed to have one during today!) which will lead to a shutdown. This will wipe me out for a week. Any motivation and energy I had will be wiped out so we're back at chronic fatigue square one.
I'm minded to just take the PIP money and not go out until I'm better and save all of that in case the worst happens. The issue there is that I'm aware not going out just makes my autism worse - it's very much a case of 'use it or lose it' with me. If I don't socialise, if/when I'm better my social skills will be back at zero and I'll be crazily overwhelmed in any social environment. It's a hard one really. My gut feeling is that my physical health recovery should take priority and anything which is hampering that should be kicked into touch.
Apologies for the long, rambling post. Had a hell of a day with all this and just needed to vent.
For some context about our benefits system in the UK - these eye opening articles are worth reading:
DWP is forcing distressed claimants to attend weekly meetings, says whistleblower
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) whistleblower has warned that harsh new policies that are forcing more disabled people to attend weekly face-to-face jobcentre meetings could lead to benefi…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
Citizen Network: Disability Benefits and Suicide
A Channel Four documentary has revealed the cruel nature of the UK's disability system.
citizen-network.org
I'm fortunate in that I live a comfortable life and have a roof over my head but my position is precarious in the long-term due to my mother's health.
