@Netty 

Last reply

Netty

I'm feeling bullied By Universal Credit

Had to stop work at 44...16 years ago. My husband hasn't been able to work since his heart attack some years ago and is now my carer. At first they accepted that I am unable to work, due to various MS reasons. They kept calling hubby to ask what he was doing about looking for work. After about 4 months they accepted he couldn't work as he is my 24/7 carer. Then, they turned to me. They said they wanted sick notes, but they don't read them. My doctor wrote a letter detailing exactly what is wrong and even down to how they are mentally torturing me as well. They said they don't accept the letter. They will check for themselves. They ask you what you can do. Do I said I do some physio. I am unable to stand up straight..I just do some simple arm stretches at the moment. I also said that I may be able to still swim a little bit. So, they pounced on this. They say it is first steps to getting back to searching for work........but not to worry. But, before you can have your universal credit benefit..you have to go onto the web site and tick the box to agree to your commitments. So, technically you are being bullied by a threat to reduce your money, to say you will search for work. I'm not sure who to ask for help. This is so wrong. I have a video appointment tomorrow. Never done this before, I don't think I should carry on agreeing to what I know I'm not able to do. This appointment is actually called a "Work Search". Thanks for your time reading.......Anyone else had this type of problem??
Birmingham, UK
@Rkidwai

I’m so sorry you’re going through all of this. I actually do not know what to say regarding this matter exactly. My advice would be to continue to “enterain” as much as you can. From my understanding MS is one of the diseases that cannot be biased against (out of three). Yet I’ve heard and met a few individuals who have been in similar cases and as a relatively newly diagnosed (3yrs officially) person it is unnerving. Have you done a work capability assessment? PIP?

@GerardMcC1

Hello- Yes most people would not believe how one is treated in this process - like a scammer - MS doesn't even come into their reckoning. In my experience I learned one lesson - do not go through any part of this process without the advice of Citizen's or Community Advice -do. not engage with them on your own - specifically for PIPs. This should be a big help. I wish you well.

1