What Would You Do In This Instance

[emmie]

i have been, due to ill health unable to work. I have had three
major breakdowns the last one being in 2014 where i had ECT, much against my wishes but apparently i wasn't making any sense, and was delusional.
I have also got an underlying bowel problem that's been going on for over 8 months. now i being asked to turn up for a medical to review whether i am
able to work. I am not, and have told them so. But even my GP's letter
and filling out a 21 page form has not stilled the DWP, do i have any options, what would you do in this case. I am not mentally stable enough to be in work, nor age wise, im nearly 64 able to maintain a work commitment.

[emmie]

i realise i recognise the number from before, having contacted them for a home visit, they then sent a letter asking me to attend them at the nearest Health Advisory centre. Even though i had a doctors letter confirming the osteo arthiritis and difficulty in walking, and the loo problem.

[kvalidir]

Ring them again then, you have to get this sorted out or they can and will stop your money, so it's in your interests to ring them and keep ringing them until you get a confirmation that they will visit you at home. x

[emmie]

kvaldir
thanks, i also have the CAB number so will give them a call to see if they can advise me.

[cassa333]

As distressing as it might be an ‘accident’ while at the interview might galvanise their decision!!

[emmie]

it might but that is not going to happen, if i can have the interview at home. I have called the CAB who advised me to call them again, and explain again what is going on, quite honestly i am at the end of the rope.

[AuntLydia]

Emmie can you get someone else to call for you?

[Patsy33]

I'm so sorry you are having to put up with this stressful situation emmie. I hope CAB can advise you.xx

[Mamyalynne]

Don't let them push you over the edge Emmie, use the number given earlier and calmly say you are ringing to arrange a home visit/interview as their letter states you can.

When asked why, be clear and honest and as graphic as needed.

[naomi24]

Emmie, I don't know much about this, but I would ring them again, tell them they have your doctor's letter on file (which I presume they do), and if you get no joy insist on speaking to the manager. Dig your heels in.

[murraymints]

the difficulty lies in the fact that it is a medical assessment and not simply a benefits interview, these are conducted by medical folk, not DWP ben officers... it is paramount that you don't fail to attend an assessment without their permission even if you have countless letters etc in place..as a computer simply shuts you down if you FTA...fail to attend...and all manner of difficulties will ensue in re-establishing your claim... you need to speak directly with the supervisor/manager from where your appt letter came from...and get confirmation of a rearrangement to home visit in writing....

[emmie]

i am quite happy if they assess me at home, it's too stressful thinking i will be away from home and may well need the toilet en route. I will be phoning them again and will ask to speak with supervisor/manager and i also have some more paperwork they can have in support of my predicament.

[emmie]

thanks for the advice guys, it's always good to have that extra bit of confidence. I will let you know how it goes.

[Mamyalynne]

Hope you get it sorted soon Emmie.

[Ken4155]

I'm with cassa on this one, emmie. If you do turn up having soiled yourself on the way there, they can hardly deny you have a problem. Very, very embarrassing, i know, but my guess is that you wouldn't have to undergo the assessment for the full 50 mins or so.

[emmie]

mamy thank you, i have managed so far to get the assessment postponed as my GP faxed another letter to the Health Assessment Advisory people, telling them of my predicaments, i also phoned them this morning, so they have cancelled the 6th November. All i want is a fair review at home, it;s the least they can do.

[emmie]

Ken
it's happened before and i have had to go home, but i couldn;t stand the fact of having done that whilst in their presence. A home assessment is what i need and hopefully will get. I have also posted off letters in respect of my mental health which is and has been going down hill for months. So we live in hope they will see sense.

[bednobs]

how do you deal with going to the hospital on hospital transport? surely it's not going to be much longer than that?

[emmie]

the hospital transport is 15 minutes tops. I live very near my local hospital. The assessment is half an hour by taxi, maybe a bit longer. But there is the fact i would have to get a taxi there and back as i am unable to get public transport, as i can't walk that far.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks for putting me right, AuntLydia.