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UC assessment and appointee issue
- Row
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1 year 11 months ago #277122 by Row
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Good evening everyone,
Just after some advice, after a huge fight I managed to get PIP for my husband, and now UC is on our backs.
My husband is autistic, mental health issues, had myopericarditis (infection of the heart) which has knocked his confidence and well everything. He has been out of work since 2020. We have been fighting for PIP and went to tribunal Oct 22. We also applied for UC assessment about a year ago or over and now we have just been given an assessment date. I am my husbands appointee as he can’t even bear the thought of talking to someone, won’t even talk to GP. In our PIP assessment he bearly coped and they said he coped well. He is already stressing about the assessment, selfing behaviour head banging etc. Can I talk on his behalf? As I am now scared they will sanction us on our UC claim all because he can’t cope with another assessment.
Why is it so hard to get help! ☹️
Just after some advice, after a huge fight I managed to get PIP for my husband, and now UC is on our backs.
My husband is autistic, mental health issues, had myopericarditis (infection of the heart) which has knocked his confidence and well everything. He has been out of work since 2020. We have been fighting for PIP and went to tribunal Oct 22. We also applied for UC assessment about a year ago or over and now we have just been given an assessment date. I am my husbands appointee as he can’t even bear the thought of talking to someone, won’t even talk to GP. In our PIP assessment he bearly coped and they said he coped well. He is already stressing about the assessment, selfing behaviour head banging etc. Can I talk on his behalf? As I am now scared they will sanction us on our UC claim all because he can’t cope with another assessment.
Why is it so hard to get help! ☹️
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- Gary
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1 year 11 months ago #277133 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic UC
Hi Row
I would agree with you that it can be hard to get help, especiallyifyou live in rural areas.
As you are your husbands appointee then you are able to talk on his behalf, does your husband have a psychiatrist or CPN, is he under any specialist due to his condition? When was he diagnosed as being autistic? did he undergo any specialist test and was a report written.
You need to make sure that DWP has maked his file as vulnerable, they can add a sticky note so who ever looks at the file it is on the front page that he is vulnerable.
Depending what supporting documents you enclosed with your application, you may be able to have a paper assessment.
You can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
If you have any specific questions please come back to the forum.
Gary
I would agree with you that it can be hard to get help, especiallyifyou live in rural areas.
As you are your husbands appointee then you are able to talk on his behalf, does your husband have a psychiatrist or CPN, is he under any specialist due to his condition? When was he diagnosed as being autistic? did he undergo any specialist test and was a report written.
You need to make sure that DWP has maked his file as vulnerable, they can add a sticky note so who ever looks at the file it is on the front page that he is vulnerable.
Depending what supporting documents you enclosed with your application, you may be able to have a paper assessment.
You can find your local Welfare Rights Organisation to help you with advice by clicking on the link below and putting in your post code, it will then come up with a MAP with a list of agencies. advicelocal.uk
If you have any specific questions please come back to the forum.
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Row
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1 year 11 months ago #277229 by Row
Replied by Row on topic UC
Hi Gary
Thanks for you reply. I am his appointee for his PIP but UC they haven’t got me down. Even though I asked back in 2021! I have spent the last 2 hrs being bumped around to find out how to become one as my husband can’t cope with the thought of going through this assessment again. He hasn’t spoken to anyone about his struggles because he struggles to communicate and understand his emotions. It is so hard! He now has self harming thoughts and trigger behaviours like head butting things and losing his temper. I just don’t know what to do or where to go!
Row
Thanks for you reply. I am his appointee for his PIP but UC they haven’t got me down. Even though I asked back in 2021! I have spent the last 2 hrs being bumped around to find out how to become one as my husband can’t cope with the thought of going through this assessment again. He hasn’t spoken to anyone about his struggles because he struggles to communicate and understand his emotions. It is so hard! He now has self harming thoughts and trigger behaviours like head butting things and losing his temper. I just don’t know what to do or where to go!
Row
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- BIS
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1 year 11 months ago #277242 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic UC
Hi Row
If you have been officially appointed as his appointee for PIP, it also applies to other benefits. You shouldn't have to apply again.
BIS
If you have been officially appointed as his appointee for PIP, it also applies to other benefits. You shouldn't have to apply again.
BIS
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- Row
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1 year 11 months ago #277270 by Row
Replied by Row on topic UC assessment and appointee issue
Hi Bis
Sadly it seems it does as this is what UC has said. Just had a call from UC and message in my journal to say they want to do a home visit. My husband can even stand his own mother coming let alone them. I don’t understand I thought the same that i would be his appointee for all. This is causing my husband anxiety, panic attacks and stress that is just making him ill.
Thanks
Rowena
Sadly it seems it does as this is what UC has said. Just had a call from UC and message in my journal to say they want to do a home visit. My husband can even stand his own mother coming let alone them. I don’t understand I thought the same that i would be his appointee for all. This is causing my husband anxiety, panic attacks and stress that is just making him ill.
Thanks
Rowena
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- BIS
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1 year 11 months ago #277277 by BIS
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Replied by BIS on topic UC assessment and appointee issue
Hi Row
If you have it in writing that you are his appointee - it does apply to all benefits, and you should challenge this. Ask for a phone call from a manager in your journal to explain this.
If you can, get a note from your GP saying that a home visit is causing a deterioration in his mental health and causing him "Overwhelming psychological distress." (They need to use those exact words).
I would also get onto your MP and, if possible, involve them. Some are very good about getting decisions like this overturned.
BIS
If you have it in writing that you are his appointee - it does apply to all benefits, and you should challenge this. Ask for a phone call from a manager in your journal to explain this.
If you can, get a note from your GP saying that a home visit is causing a deterioration in his mental health and causing him "Overwhelming psychological distress." (They need to use those exact words).
I would also get onto your MP and, if possible, involve them. Some are very good about getting decisions like this overturned.
BIS
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