Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 12, 2006 22:16:11 GMT
I'm really starting to wonder if they even read the application forms anymore, or just randomly choose people for medicals.
The application form states that if you provide enough information, you shouldn't be asked to attend a medical.
I provided a lot of information, including details of my mental health worker, also a sure start worker who visits me, along with details of my GP. Surely this shows that I'm doing all that I can to get better and gives confirmation that I actually do have PNI? None of these have been contacted and I've been called for a medical.
I feel like they think I'm lying. Yet again, I have to go through talking to yet another stranger about my problems - and I know for a fact I won't tell them everything. I find it very hard to talk to strangers about my problems and find it impossible to open up to them about everything. I tend to make 'light' of the situation rather than talking about it. I make any excuse not to talk about these things with strangers.
What really makes me think that they haven't even bothered reading through my application is that they have a box for filling in any requests you have about the medical - I stated I needed at least two weeks notice, so that my husband could book time off work to take me there. They sent me a letter giving me only 7 days notice. I phoned them up (it took me 3 hours to get an answer!!!) and the guy said "oh, so you're not available that day" in a very not bothered voice, as if I was busy! I said to him I had stated on the form that I needed notice for hubby to book time off and he sounded peed off with me!! Anyway, he gave me another date at the end of this month, but I still haven't had a confirmation letter, so am going to have to phone them again tomorrow to confirm that they have the new date. I'm panicing because on the original letter in Bold, Underlined, Capitals IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND, YOUR BENEFIT MAY BE STOPPED.
I was sick and worried all day when the letter arrived, I'm the same when I fill the application forms. I know I'll be the same tomorrow when I have to phone them to confirm that they've changed the dates.
Do they not realise that the way they deal with us can make us worse. I know I'll be sick for days, possibly weeks after the medical as it upsets me so much and I loose so much sleep.
My sister has said she's coming with me to my medical to give them a "piece of her mind", but that's now worried me too - I know if I tell her not to come, there will be arguments as she wants to support me, but I also know if she comes, she'll argue with the medical GP, who to be honest, isn't to blame. They don't make the rules, they're just given appointments they have to fulfil.
My mental health worker said to me this week, not to worry, as if at the worst they deny me my incapacity benefit, I can appeal. I told her I wouldn't bother, as I'd rather go without (even though we desperately need the money) as I don't think I could go through an appeal - these medicals, forms etc take it out of me completely. I'm frustrated, exhausted and feel like they must think I'm a liar to call me in for a medical again.
Can't they understand that I desperately want to get better? I have known so many people in the past that have cheated benefits etc, have no proof to back them up, yet they always seem to be able to abuse the system. Whereas people like myself who are doing all they can to get better, have proof of THREE professionals are treated like cheats.
Sorry for having such a huge rant, this is boiling inside of me and when I try to speak to people about it I just get upset and stop talking.
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Post by bam02 on Mar 13, 2006 20:35:00 GMT
I know what you mean and hope to answer this more with time.
But you may just be the test person i.e theyhave to check one in 10 ( or something like that) I just made the 1 in 10 up. but it could be true.
I have been through such a lot for DLA , pension etc. Incapacity benefit i was lucky with , but hey did do it straight form work where I was serving notice - so maybe that time I was lucky. Then again I have an immune deficiency as well as mental health issues so its double whammy. but you would think you would be OK.
But just think you are a test case I may be right - I may be wrong. But its likely I am right - they do the same for credit card checks and I am the one they pick !!
But with medical backing that you have you should be OK -buts annoying that people who need and deserve things are targeted.
Anne-Marie
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Post by Veritee on Mar 13, 2006 22:37:49 GMT
Dear Babytails I am so sorry about this and I can so understand your frustration and panic and I agree that this attitude adds to your stress when you have PNI. But I have to say I just do not think it is because they are singling you out at all - it is just now government policy to make it hard for anyone to get incapacity benefit - hidden policy but true see here: www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/benefits/unspun/36_employment_support_allowance.htm So most new claims go through something you are theses days - everyone I have spoken to recently who has made a claim has had a medical regardless of what they put on their forms. I guess you do not get called to a medical if you are very ill or disabled , but most do. And maybe you are more likely to have a medical if you have an 'invisible' illness like PNI? The site above is really good as it give you the information you need to successfully make a claim. It also has a discussion board which can be really helpful. But then again even those who have claimed for a while and have a 'visible' illness are now finding it hard to stay on incapacity benefit, which is really unfair seeing as you need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions even to qualify for it at all. I have a 'visible' injury and I have been on incapacity benefit for much of the 3 years of my disability, as sometimes I could not walk and certainly not work - at the moment I can hardly get to the loo some days as I have not long had an operation and my arthritic knees are now quite bad too. but I have still had to have 3 medicals like you describe and all my letters making the appointment said the same as yours ' Bold, Underlined, Capitals IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND, YOUR BENEFIT MAY BE STOPPED' I know that when I claimed it was for a physical injury not PNI but it still stressed me out as the first medical I was so soon after an operation and like you I had to change it as I could not even drive so I had to wait till my husband could drive me as the medical was to take place 22 miles away and I was still quite ill. I did manage to delay it for a week but still had to go when quite ill - I had to go as I was relying on that benefit at the time so I felt I had no choice. I will not go on - I just to say I know the stress of these medicals - all I can say is that it is best to be as prepared as you can. I joined the Benefits and Work site for £15 and they have downloadable documents and even a video on what happens in these interviews and how to get through them. Please take someone supportive with you as this can really help and be properly briefed on how to answer the questions as this is called a 'medical' but you are rarely examined - all it consists of is a doctor asking you a set of questions that are the same for everyone and even the doctor is not required to make his/her own judgements on your medical condition. They merely ask the questions and tick the boxes and if you answer them right you get Incapacity B and if you do not you don't. There are no set questions for PNI so it is best to emphasise things like panic attacks preventing you going out on your own - depression/anxiety making it hard or impossible for you to do routine tasks . I would recommend joining www.benefitsandwork.co.uk as their briefing papers can really help. But I do understand how it feels and how scary this all can be - if we can hep let us know/ Veritee XX
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Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 13, 2006 23:06:21 GMT
Thanks girls, it does help that I don't feel so alone on this subject. This isn't my first medical - I've been on Incapacity Benefit for the last few years - I'd already been on it for a year and a half before having my little one, due to panic attacks, anxiety and depression. I guess it's just frustrating that I've been called up for a medical each and every time I've been sent these forms. I know exactly how I should deal with it, but also know how I will when I'm put in the situation (ie completely differently!).
The first medical I went to, my husband came with me for support. I had an elderly gentleman who I found to be quite sexist - he would ask me a question, then ask my husband if that was really how I was (even though my husband was only supposed to be in the room to help me feel at ease), and would ask him how I was managing my duties in the home, ie washing, cleaning etc. I know it probably wasn't the case, but I felt he was questioning my "wifey" capabilities. He didn't seem as bothered to ask questions pertaining to other things in my life.
I'm sure I'm just being paranoid about it all, but that's only clear in my mind now because I've had a couple of glasses of wine which are making things a little clearer as my nerves are more settled! lol!
Come to think of it, paranoia seems to be one of my biggest problems since having PNI!
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Post by cheshire on Mar 14, 2006 10:21:53 GMT
Hi Babytales
Yeah, I agree about the paranoia- terrible isn't it and does linger for quite a while...
Anyway, hope you feel a bit better really soon
Love HopefulXXX
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Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 25, 2006 10:59:04 GMT
Well, they failed to send me a letter about the new appointment date, but did send a reminder for the original date after I'd changed it with them!!!
I phoned the actual office where the medical was taking place, rather than the appointment phone number and the lady I got there was really helpful, she could tell I was worried and upset from my voice, took my details and sorted it all out for me. So I've finally got my medical on Thursday and even though I've been there before, I'm just as worried as usual. I'm sure this is adding to my insomnia and my physical symptoms getting worse. I just hope they're not too long writing to me to let me know the outcome of the medical, I remember last year it took forever. Until I get that letter I'm just constantly worrying.
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Post by bam02 on Mar 26, 2006 0:04:46 GMT
I can understand that? I had to go to a medical for my medical retirement pension? i got it, but was so stressed i could have got any thing???
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Post by michelle212 on Mar 26, 2006 10:30:35 GMT
Hi babytales, I to am on in Incapacity Benefit, been on it for about 2 maybe 3 years for panic attacks and i also get called in for medicals, but what i normaly do to aviod going to them i get them to call to me, all you need is a note from your doctor telling them that you cant make it to the medical and that could they come visit you at home instead, it works everytime for me and also when they do visit they don't stay long maybe about 10 or 15mins so thats also a good thing.
Hope that helps, Take care
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Post by Veritee on Mar 26, 2006 15:55:52 GMT
What a good idea Michelle
This si good advice - I have had them see me at home but only for my physical disability when I really could not walk - and yes you are right they only stayed 15 minutes
I never thought of it for PNI and in fact I think we should all try this - why should women with PNi go through the stress of a stressful interview away from home , when the very fact of this sort of illness makes this sort of thing difficult .
Make them come to us???
Veritee XX
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hannah457
Senior Member
i have 4 children. brandon,angel , peter, leland .
Posts: 453
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Post by hannah457 on Mar 28, 2006 19:01:13 GMT
hi babytales. just wondering can you apply for incapacity benefit when you got postnatal depression. my partner and i are on benefits and wondered if the benefit change would make a difference financially.
thank love hannahxx
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Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 30, 2006 15:22:26 GMT
Thanks Michelle. I didn't realise you could get them to visit you at home - I'd have definately have done that if I'd known (my fault for not visiting here the last few days!). Plus the shorter medical makes a big difference!! Mine have been really long in the past and today's was about 45/50 minutes.
I didn't speak to my doctor about it, however, did speak to my sure start visitor who made enquiries on my behalf to the offices that deal with incapacity benefit medicals etc. They said, the fact that I had 3 professional people supporting me, who could provide letters to that effect, stating how a medical with a stranger would not be constructive etc, would then be enough proof that I did not have to attend a medical. The three people supporting me who could write were: My health visitor, my Mental Health Support Worker/Key Worker and my Sure Start visitor.
Unfortunately, we didn't get this information until late yesterday afternoon and my medical was this morning, so I felt it was best to go through with the medical, no matter how much I didn't want to go, just incase there were mistakes made and I lost my benefit. Even though, my sure start visitor has now written a letter from herself and has spoken to the other 2 people supporting me to ask them to write letters also as extra support towards my medical incase I didn't manage to speak to them about everything and be convincing, as I clam up so much in these situations.
Thankfully, the doctor I had for my medical this morning was a lovely gentleman who was very sympathetic, which helped me speak a little more than I have been able to in medicals in the past.
Hope this makes sense, still a bit "jittery" after today, need to calm down, but getting irritated by my neighbour building something right outside my window (well, on the other side of the fence, not in my garden! lol).
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Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 30, 2006 15:24:28 GMT
hi babytales. just wondering can you apply for incapacity benefit when you got postnatal depression. my partner and i are on benefits and wondered if the benefit change would make a difference financially. thank love hannahxx Hi Hannah I don't know how much other benefits pay out, so dont know if there would be a difference financially - maybe someone else knows?
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Post by bam02 on Mar 30, 2006 18:05:57 GMT
It could make a difference , but depends on the other benefits- if means tested income support you would find the incapacity benefit is means tested too-s o you wouldn't find yourselves much better off as you lose other means tested benefits. But I am not entirely sure. The only benefit not taken into account for means testing is Disabled living allowance. However, on Incapacity benefit you might find you get extra allowances for partners and children etc than on what you are on now.
But I am not a benefit adviser and my info could be out of date. You need to go through it with a benefits adviser maybe from CAB or similar.So you can tell them exactly what you are on and whether you would be better off applying. But its depends on so many things its hard to have general answer.
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Post by bam02 on Mar 30, 2006 18:09:30 GMT
Well done baby tales you need a brandy!
Did you get your answer straight away or do you have to wait to see if it continues ?
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Babytales
Senior Member
Slipped back down again, but trying my best to find my way back
Posts: 207
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Post by Babytales on Mar 30, 2006 18:38:48 GMT
No, I didn't get the answer - The doctor has to give his report to the incapacity benefit office, then I have to wait for a letter from them
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