u/8sbmb2

I have to go in and show ID this afternoon. I have severe panic disorder and I did try to avoid having to attend but as I gather from others, this is mandatory now based on previous false claims during covid. So I’ve roped my sister into going with me but I’m still feeling the dread.

Can anyone tell me how long it takes, as in do they just scan your ID and away you go, or is it an interview scenario, will I be expected to discuss anything?? I have read a few posts that state it’s quick and they just go through how the payments work. I just wanted clarity as I’m in a panic over it all.

Hi all.

Skip to the end for main question, the former is background for context and just me venting.

Well, what a joke the system continues to be. Back in 2020, after being hit with the worst illness I’d ever experienced as a result of Covid, I was left with severe Chronic Fatigue. I have never fully recovered. I have other health conditions which were made worse and were exacerbated by the virus as well.

I’ve had more bouts of it despite doing my absolute best to avoid, but sometimes when family come over or I am forced to attend an appointment, it is unavoidable. My immune system just isn’t strong enough and because others can be asymptomatic, it makes knowing who has it impossible.

2020 I applied for UC, self employed, my job is a few counties away, a lot of travel. I could barely function, hardly hold a conversation, practically bedridden. I was told a couple of weeks after the application went through that they deemed me fit for work. The person dealing with my claim at the JC took pity and said the best he could do was put me on a back to work scheme.

This meant I had to earn £1200 a month to qualify for a payout. It’s basically an incentive. What I joke, I never earned that to begin with. They seemingly plucked a number out of the air. I never attended the JC because initially we were in lockdown. I was then told I’d need to attend each month which again, I never did because not only was I ill, I also suffer with extreme panic disorder brought on by health conditions and I am also ADHD & Autistic.

I ended up having to return to work. The drive was sketchy, I kept stopping, resting but felt like it wasn’t safe for me to be driving as the fatigue impaired my ability to concentrate and react in good time.

I pleaded for them to reduce the expected monthly earnings, but they wouldn’t have it. After 6 months of not reaching the target wage and therefore not receiving any benefits, they finally agreed to reduce it, but just as it was about to be processed, they closed the application citing, no payment in 6months causes automatic closure.

WTF. I didn’t appeal as I was just too ill to deal with it all. I lived on credit cards and PayPal credit until I was able to just work enough to get by. I slowly rebuilt my jobs back up and although I could not return to the same hours, it was enough. I had to move back in with my parents in 2020, so I was in a better position bills wise but I still had outgoings and a van to run.

I caught Covid again a few more times, each time setting me back again meaning long stints off work. My health conditions worsened and I now have more symptoms to deal with. Getting referrals, appointments and treatments is like trying to get blood from a stone. Some I have received some I am still waiting on.

After the last bout of Covid (end of 24) I was left with severe shoulder pain both sides, I lost all strength in my arms, even lifting a kettle was painful and I couldn’t sleep with the pain, I had to do things two handed which was crazy to me considering I’d worked in very physically demanding roles for many yrs.

A year on it was still bad, I contacted my Dr as it was obvious this was most likely a case of Parsonage Turner Syndrome brought on by Covid, rapid onset with no history. The GP said I’d left it too long so all he could do was refer me for physio. Beyond a joke at this point. A simple scan would diagnose this issue. As we all know, proof of ailing health is key for any claim.

Despite past experiences, my friend convinced me that I should claim again, so I did apply for UC recently, the woman said I’d have to go in for them to scan my ID, is this a new thing?? because I didn’t have to the first time, although that was in lockdown, I scanned those over to the JC myself. I pleaded with them to not make me go in because of my weakened immune system and because of potential issues with me having MCAS, this can be triggered just by the smell of a strong perfume, aftershave, vapes, cigarettes etc. I also know how bad my anxiety gets, panic attacks are no fun. I can arrange a lift but the fatigue means the brain fog is next level and I often forget words and important things that need to be said in the moment. It’s taken me more than an hr to write this.

But they refuse to do it any other way. I’m at the point of just cancelling the whole thing, retracting the claim and just trying to muddle through on credit again.

I desperately need to reduce my workload, it’s getting harder and harder to travel and cope with it all. I have been looking for jobs from home that don’t require an interview or any face to face interaction like data entry but without experience these jobs just don’t exist. I’ve done manual labour for more than 20years, so I have no experience in this field.

Was anyone else made to go into the JC with ID or has anyone managed to do this another way??

I truly believe they just do it so they can see if you’ll attend, if you do they’ll expect it of you every time going forwards. It’s really p’d me off to be honest. Any advice would be great. Thank you.

Hi all,

New to this group. Sugar especially in the form of chocolate has been a major problem for me since I was a kid. I’ve tried so hard to quit but the longest I’ve managed is about 5 days.

I find my menstrual cycle plays a role in this but I’m also ADHD and the chocolate is a dopamine fix. I have sleep issues and health problems and even though I won’t necessarily consume high amounts everyday, I do have some form of sugar daily.

I want it out of my life. I suffer with CFS and Dysautonomia and I know this insulin spikes are not helping with my symptoms. I also suffer with anxiety and again, sugar exacerbates.

Had anyone found a good way of stopping themselves. I’ve tried gradually reducing but when I’m having a down day my brain goes sod it and before I know it, I’ve consumed the treats.

I pet sit and often stay in houses which have these bad foods to hand, I get food deliveries which helps me to not buy as I’m not in the shop, but temptation is everywhere as just stopping for diesel can lead me to buying bad things.

I’d love to hear how others have quit. 🚫🍫🍭

Thank you. 🫶🏼