I'm sure this subject has been discussed to death, for that I can only apologise.
For a couple of years now, doing a little research on my own, I think that I may have what a Work Psychologist I saw 01/2012 called a neuro diverse condition. I thought it might be Aspergers, it might be ADD possibly Dyspraxia. I'm by no means an expert nor a diagonistician. I could be completely wrong and, as i suspect my GP thinks (but doesn't say), lazy!
When I first saw the Work Psychologist (a dwp person, i don't know much about the specific role as I'd never heard of them before) I was on JSA. Since then I started on the Work Programme which I am still on. She claimed she could test for Aspergers but relented to saying she could do some kind of test to see if I might have ADD. I realise that makes no sense, but it involved answering a load of puzzles like remembering number sequences backwards and spotting patterns and stuff. From what I could understand she said it was highly likely. I have yet to get an official diagnosis as such facilities are not local to me and I find travelling around cities rather scary. There is now a chance the local CMHT might do one.
However the Work Programme treated me badly. They ignored the information regarding my mental health (even though no formal diagnosis) and refused to accept even the possibility of such problems - of any kind. I was told that without a support worker present they wouldn't countenance any such possibility. I made a complaint and have since changed advisers. Though the replacement is better they still admit they can't do anything. Basically the WP is rubbish. I was told that the main problem was because I was on JSA and that I should claim ESA.
To cut a long and predictable story short that's what I did, six months later I have, unsurprisingly, failed the WCA. I've sent the GL24 form back to lodge an appeal. I'm not sure how that will work but I'm told that doing so reinstates my benefit until such time as they decide whether to change their mind (I doubt it, let's be honest). In the meantime I have to persuade my GP I need help.
I suppose my point in posting is just to hear what other people think. I haven't found my GP to be terribly helpful or sympathetic and the system certainly isn't. ESA should be employment support, but it seems to work on the basis that, in order to get into the WRAG (my stated goal, i don't claim to be deserving of the support group) you need to also qualify for the support group. This doesn't make much sense to me. As a result I feel guilty as if I'm swinging the lead. But on the other hand, I just can't cope with the DWP. I find life difficult and I find dealing with society at times very hard. All the stuff you've heard before no doubt.
I can't say for certain I'm an aspie/add/whatever, so I could be wrong. But just trying to get support and be taken seriously is horrendous. It's enough to make you ill even if you aren't. If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful, thanks.
It is sad to read your post, it is very confusing at times with all the different benefits. Wishface, your literacy is very good. You made me laugh at the word "diagonistician", NO offence but I did not realise there was such a person. Maybe ATOS is the skynet mainframe of the DWP.
You seem to be in the main stream benefit system via Jobseekers Support Allowance(JSA), whereas employment support allowance(ESA) is more incapacity based.
You can give them all the information under the sun, but you are in the job camp, it will not matter. Getting on a medical route will involve your doc and sicklines. If you are struggling with the DWP procedure it may show underlying issues, being able to cope or not coping gives you/them information on your status and condition.
It is going to be a long struggle here, you need the help of a welfare officer from the local council and support from your GP or change of GP. You may wish to email your advisor at the DWP and tell them that things are not wholly right with you for the record.
The way I see it,, is simple,, I had danced with the DWP, too there tune, I do totally what they say,, I have lost count of the courses and self serving organisation I have been throught but it just ends up with me in a cognitive heap,, with stress, anxiety and breakdown due to the environmental pressures pushed on me.
It is a form of self-abuse I go through which the DWP is quite happy to help me with, trying too obey there instructions which are impossible due to my autism, but lucky I have now people around me, a support worker, the social work and a welfare officer who will stop me "harming myself" by engaging directly with the DWP. Because at the end of the day, the DWP is an impersonal system which does not take into account the true reality of your illness, it is designed to push,, it is the weak that can not push back, that is how they assess by damage reports. Be careful or they will put you on daily signing.,
It is sad to read your post, it is very confusing at times with all the different benefits. Wishface, your literacy is very good. You made me laugh at the word "diagonistician", NO offence but I did not realise there was such a person. Maybe ATOS is the skynet mainframe of the DWP.
You seem to be in the main stream benefit system via Jobseekers Support Allowance(JSA), whereas employment support allowance(ESA) is more incapacity based.
You can give them all the information under the sun, but you are in the job camp, it will not matter. Getting on a medical route will involve your doc and sicklines. If you are struggling with the DWP procedure it may show underlying issues, being able to cope or not coping gives you/them information on your status and condition.
It is going to be a long struggle here, you need the help of a welfare officer from the local council and support from your GP or change of GP. You may wish to email your advisor at the DWP and tell them that things are not wholly right with you for the record.
The way I see it,, is simple,, I had danced with the DWP, too there tune, I do totally what they say,, I have lost count of the courses and self serving organisation I have been throught but it just ends up with me in a cognitive heap,, with stress, anxiety and breakdown due to the environmental pressures pushed on me.
It is a form of self-abuse I go through which the DWP is quite happy to help me with, trying too obey there instructions which are impossible due to my autism, but lucky I have now people around me, a support worker, the social work and a welfare officer who will stop me "harming myself" by engaging directly with the DWP. Because at the end of the day, the DWP is an impersonal system which does not take into account the true reality of your illness, it is designed to push,, it is the weak that can not push back, that is how they assess by damage reports. Be careful or they will put you on daily signing.,
