CAB help

Hi, I am soon to be contacted to be offered a 2 hour appt. for ESA50 filling in from the CAB. (will go to their office by taxi)

Although I know I am lucky to live in an area where they still can give appointments and I am wondering if it's the best thing for me to do.

I find meeting people and then telling them about my condition very anxiety provoking. I'm thinking I have the option of just using the guides here and filling the form slowly with help discussing with my mental health professional who knows me very well and I trust. (She wouldn't be filling it in herself but she can help go over the ground I need to put down myslef.)

I had a welfare rights adviser in the last town I lived in. I found it hard at first to get to know them but they visited me at home and were specifically a mental health service. It is also meant I could then contact that individual for any help dealing with the benefits agency at any point. So it was very helpful to me and was very confident in them handling things.

But I'm thinking it will be a different kind of service at the CAB.

Can anyone tell me what their experiences with the CAB were like for ESA50, especially if you have mental helath problems? I am being transferred from IB to ESA.

Thanks.

Hi, I went to the CAB before finding this website.

However, I had already failed my assessment.

It was very difficult for me, made worse because there was a trainee with us aswell.

Although a nice person, I did feel patronised.

After going through everything, which was really difficult, she went of to discuss my case with her boss.

Ten minutes later she came back and said they couldn't help me.

If you haven't filled in your ESA50 then they will help.

This time round I used the guides on here.

Best wishes,
Rachel

displayname wrote:

Hi, I am soon to be contacted to be offered a 2 hour appt. for ESA50 filling in from the CAB. (will go to their office by taxi)

Although I know I am lucky to live in an area where they still can give appointments and I am wondering if it's the best thing for me to do.

I find meeting people and then telling them about my condition very anxiety provoking. I'm thinking I have the option of just using the guides here and filling the form slowly with help discussing with my mental health professional who knows me very well and I trust. (She wouldn't be filling it in herself but she can help go over the ground I need to put down myslef.)

I had a welfare rights adviser in the last town I lived in. I found it hard at first to get to know them but they visited me at home and were specifically a mental health service. It is also meant I could then contact that individual for any help dealing with the benefits agency at any point. So it was very helpful to me and was very confident in them handling things.

But I'm thinking it will be a different kind of service at the CAB.

Can anyone tell me what their experiences with the CAB were like for ESA50, especially if you have mental helath problems? I am being transferred from IB to ESA.

Thanks.

Hi DN,

The decision on whether to use the CAB service is obviously yours to make.

However, they should be used to dealing with people with conditions such as yours, and should make any allowances.

It may be worth while seeing what they have to offer, rather than just writing them off.

You can always compare their input against the guides on here.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

cheers

bro58

Thanks.

I had such an appalling night of anxiety prior to seeing my GP about it all that it's put me off appointments at the moment! (Was sick, in physical pain, called samaritans, took emrgency diazepam.). Turns out the appt. went OK but still feeling rubbish now.

But I'll see!

Do not worry , i had 2 appointments with cab , and have found them extremely helpfuf in filling out the w and p forms . Do try to get continuity ....... See the same person each time you go , so they are familiar with your case . Do it !!!! Jose .


Mod Edit - Case changed from all upper case to sentence case. Poster please do not post all in upper case as it causes problems for members using screen readers etc.

pete17971

pp moderating team

Thanks josie. I'd definitely want continuity!