Diary of a benefit claimant.

Thank you.
They're almost 40 minutes late with the call now.

It's no wonder people find the process dehumanising.

Everything crossed here.?

Waiting for my appointment call, which was due at 1pm.
Now have -£180 in my account, so charges being taken daily for being overdrawn.

It appears on page 19 that someone may be asked to have a face-to-face assessment.

It looks like the default could possibly be upstairs at an assessment centre. I suppose that coud be near or far depending where you live and where the assessment centre is located.

However, there are possibilities for a home assessment (medical practitioner explanation) and for ground floor at their assessment centre.

There does seem to be an implicit assumption in the form that you have access to a photocopier. Access to a photocopier is not necessarily easy for someone who is fit and well. (sigh)

I expect that you would do this anyway, but please keep a copy of what you write on the form.

I think it is being sent because I have been emphatically clear from the start that I am currently unable to work, so I presume it is being sent for helpful reasons.
Fingers crossed, anyway.

I wonder if this is going to be the form.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/uc50-form-universal-credit-capability-for-work-questionnaire

A question to which you may or may not at this time know the answer is as follows.

Is this form being sent to you as a consequence of the discussion with the helpful lady

or

is sending the form to you for some other reason such as someone else there getting in a muddle?

I know, I know, but alas it is not inconceivable is it! (sigh)

That's how my last appointment worked.
A text the day before to remind me, even though one hadn't been made.
Still, it's mostly been good up until now, and some exceptionally kind staff too.

It must be hell for people who have anxiety issues, though.

It's appalling what benefit claimants have to deal with.

My relative recently got a text to 'remind' her of a DWP appointment the next day. It was the first she'd heard of it.
How fortunate they'd sent the reminder!

I recieved a text today - telling me that universal credit had tried to phone me but I was unavailable (not true) and that if I did not contact them immediately it might result in my claim being cancelled.

I tried to phone the job centre direct, but it is forwarded to a dwp helpline, who had a pre recorded message, which repeated that they had tried to phone me, and hung up on me.
I finally found a piece of paper with a number on, so phoned that. (It had been given to me on my first visit to the job centre)

The woman I spoke to had all the charm of a freshly dug whelk.

It was a couple of questions- did I have any gaps in my employment.
When was the last time I was at work, and to inform me that there is a health questionnaire on it's way to me.
So, panic over. (For now)

Thanks for all the info.
I'm surprised I have any blood left in me to take, so I can't complain on that score

.
I have been tested inside out and upside down, and results can vary.

The fact remains that my liver isn't working because it is damaged, and so any of the 500 odd functions cpuld be, and are affected, and it is changeable day by day (with a few constants: fatigue for example)

I really didnt start the thread to discuss my conditions, though.

It was to show how "the system" works. Good/bad and otherwise.

I do appreciate all the helpful suggestions, but I feel quite uncomfortable going into details about my health. Suffice to say, I don't envisage much improvement.

Are you aware that a General Practitioner (that is "your doctor") can refer you to an NHS Hospital Dietician for a detailed discussion of your diet in relation to your medical situation?

This could be at the doctors request or by you asking the doctor to arrange it.

I had one, at my request, by telephone, the dietician telephoned me, it was around 20 to 25 minutes and very valuable to me. How it worked was that the dietician had a discussion with me then afterwards prepared a report and sent it to the doctor and then the doctor forwarded it to me. So the doctor is in the loop.

It was a very pleasant process.

You might like to know, though maybe you know already, that Alpro long life no sugars soya drink one litre has no sugars and no carbohydrates. 33 grammes of protein per litre. I think of it as if it is liquid tofu with added vitamins, including B12 and D2. It has calcium added, but so does tofu, though in a different way I think. I consume one litre each day. It does contain soya so it depends on whether you are alright with soya. Some people are not. I do not know if it is an appropriate food for you but you could check it out if you choose. Unlike many products that have "no sugars" on the container this one does not have artificial sweeteners in it.

I have it spread over the day, often on Tilda microwave plain Basmati rice, though the rice does have a lot of carbohydrate in it, so I am not sure how rice relates to your dietary needs. However plain rice does not have gluten.

First stage baby food is purée and is available in a good range of flavours, often mixes. Some all vegetable, some all fruit, some a mix of fruit and vegetables. Second stage baby foods are a bit thicker. Some are high sugar, some very high, but some are very low sugar, none as far as I am aware have added sugar, it is what is from the fruits and vegetables. They do have carbohydrates, some high, some low. So which to choose depends on your particular needs. Baby food is, I understand, subject to specific high nutrition quality manufacturing regulations. I consume five sachets each day, spread over three meals, as toppings for the rice. But clearly your specialist dietary needs are different from my specialist dietary needs.

I use some of each of Ella's kitchen brand, Tesco own label brand, piccolo brand.

I don't remember if I asked before upthread, so apologies if I did and have forgotten, but have you been given a check for your vitamin B12 level? Vitamin B12 needs to be both in your food and needs to be absorbed from your food if it is there, so checking whether both are happening is worth knowing. It is done with a blood test, though a nurse to;d me that it is not done routinely at routine blood tests, but as I asked, it was included for me.

It's a very boring thread, to be honest, even moreso now with me banging on about my ailments.
Thanks, though.

I just wanted to show that benefits aren't just handed over - it wasn't meant as a "poor me" thing.

MissAdventure, This is the first time I’ve read this thread. Ive skimmed but will read if through later.

I’m so sorry and cross on your behalf,

I think my diet has been reasonably healthy, really.
I don't feel I've been properly checked out though.
It is pretty scary, isn't it?

I was hoping it might have been sorted out by now MissA. Good luck as you move forward.

One of the biggest killers of the liver is sugar. I have found since I have cut out sugar and limited carbs, I have been able to get much better results with the inflammation having reduced enormously. If you have uncontrolled sugar consumption (that is all carbs not just "sugar") you will end up with the liver of an alcoholic. I don't drink but the first thing the GP asked was how much I drink because it has the same effects.
I hope they have scanned you well. I lost my sister to cancer of the liver when she was 24 and anything to do with the liver gives me the heeby jeebies now.

MissAdventure

Nope.
I have had to read up about it all myself, so I do know about reducing salt, eating good quality, nutritious foods (food bank, anyone?)

there used to be a cookbook for liver diets, I think some of it was clear soups, noodles etc beetroot and cucumber too

I've just googled and there are quite a few books

If you use the foodbank tell them about your liver, they will most probably be able to get things just for you, I know ours does )

Thank you for the update. Glad you were treated kindly.

Good to hear that you are making some progress, MissA. Long may it continue ?

Nope.
I have had to read up about it all myself, so I do know about reducing salt, eating good quality, nutritious foods (food bank, anyone?)

That sounds daunting have they spoken to you about diet?

Well it is kind of complicated.
My liver isn't working properly, so that, in itself causes problems, but as to what has caused it, that's the mystery.
The first thing would be to give up drink - and I am teetotal, so that's no help really.
A biopsy has been mentioned, which terrifies me.
Your liver performs over 500 functions each day, quietly compensating if things go awry.
It manages as well as it can for as long as it can, until it can't.
Unfortunately that is usually too late.
That's me.

I'm glad someone has been helpful. Why is everything such a battle?

So do you know why you are unwell now? Can you have any treatments for it? xx

Yep.
Next update next friday, as she did actually make a definite appointment, too.

That's so good to hear.