Anxiousness and benefits

Hi, not a question as such but an expression of how bad benefit reassessments can have an impact . Pip and esa up for renewal early march , and I've started with printing off the forms and using your guides starting with ESA. I feel .... kind of degraded having to write everything and it upset me and after reading so many stories and forums I just feel like they will look and think LIER.ive always tried to "play it down " even with my CPN , not slept for nights thinking about the possibility of going to a face to face , last year the stress and anxiety got that bad after he assessment I attempted suicide. Trying to be as consistent as my head will allow me and father supporting letters , just for a chance not to go threw another dreaded F2F :(I know theirs many of you in the same situation , but the fact we are nothing but a statistic that the government need to "cut" fills me with complete and utter dread

Hi Lb,

You are not alone in finding it absolutely soul-destroying to explain, in detail, all the things you cannot manage

I know ! I understand their has to be the assessment and to an extent "vet" out those that don't really need it . But for those that actually need the help and really do struggle we are ridiculed and made to feel like we have a battle to fight to get what we're entitled to

Hi,
I am so with you. Had f2f after applying DLA to PIP and had mobility cut totally. I got copy of assessor a reprt a couple of days ago....and broke down, felt so hurt and bewildered. The phrase that assessor used is that his observations were ' not consistent with reported difficulties'....... So basically, I am a liar !
My PIP form was an honest and accurate - and detailed account of how I am / what I can or cannot manage, which, as you say, was very stressful, upsetting and degrading.
I'm going through the report page by page, and going for a reconsideration - with the expectation I will probably have to go to tribunal.....ill keep you posted.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you are not alone.i know it's easier said than done, but try and take a deep breath, remove the emotional reaction and be as factual as you can....it is a difficult process and seems unduly harsh, but do not let them hurt you - you are hurting enough dealing with being ill.
Take care x

I am really sorry to hear that , keep fighting and from what I've read on this invaluable site evidence how the descriptors apply to you . I too had an assessment 8 months ago appealed the decision got rejected and my award was only for 12 months , my report was flawed and full of lies .i wish you all the best , and keep us updated xxxxxxx

Hi

Am in the process of ESA right now and having to fill out the form, can relate to everything you've all said in terms of its effects, having to put things that I take for granted into words is a dirty feeling, each time I think or write it I even start thinking if what iv put is "too severe" or even real (not being dishonest obviously) and how it is worded/portrayed. It's shining a light on things that normally I would t want to, although obviously it effects are all the time.

Another part of it is the "label" of Aspergers and its traits is so individualised that's it's hard to get across as it isn't black and white in that way. In the right environment I can talk for hours, even overtalk and over share, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't burnout after or be fatigued, and the talk is MY talk, meaning it's honest talk, having to do structured false talk isnt something I can do, I'd become uncomfortable/anxious, and that would be a feeling until it is fully gone, I know this from being in a completely uncomfortable job situation while undiagnosed. It's only getting away from those environments that iv had development and any clarity (not much!) in all this. Which is ehat I'm looking to build from. But I can't word it in that way on this form! It's "too positive" that the overall thing iv looking to do is make things work for me individually, so it's getting into all the issues and making them a deal! Even the doctors letter talks about how invisible it is.

Taking in so much information doesn't help either, causes anxiety and loss of perspective, as well as a load of sleepless nights.