Going In Front Of The "big Doctor"

[jennyjoan]

Hi all, I have a friend who was medically retired about 6 years ago and I think she received a lump sum of 23,000 but after buying this and that maybe has about £12,000 now

Anyway after working for 37 years in the care home system she was denied any benefit because of the lump sum.

Now she has been called to see the "big doctor" as we call it here for assessment.

I do not think she could be called at all (think it is a blunder by Social Security) since she is receiving no benefits.

What I recall this big doctor decides if you will continue to receive benefits or not.

This lady is ill and was trying for the last cuppla weeks to get on the sick and was sending in lines. She had an aneurysm, covered in a serious mark (which is taboo to mention) and would be mildly autistic.

Do you think she is being called in unnecessarily. Sorry for the long post.

[Mamyalynne]

Sounds like this assessment is to see if she now does qualify for some help , it can seem scary but I am sure it won't be too bad.


Has she no family who could help her check what the reasons for this appointment are?

[Gavmacp]

I think if she agrees you or someone else can be with her. Though it is a rather loaded process why don't they talk to the person's GP's?

[murraymints]

if her savings are less then 16k then she can apply for ESA ..or any other benefit come to that..housing..council tax etc...if she has mad a formal application on the correct forms supported by medical certificates then can't see how they can refuse her..although it will be paid at a reduced rate because she has more than 6k savings

[jennyjoan]

thanks Mamy for your reply - yes she has family ie brothers and one sister in law and 3 nieces and a nephew - she isn't married etc but they don't want to know - it was myself and sista that got her medically retired via letters etc.

[hc4361]

How old is she? Is this in NI?

[jennyjoan]

murray she has sent lines and actually went personally to offices and handed them in - I told her to take photo copies etc and she did - social security are saying they never received lines, she actually got 14 letters last week (brown envelopes) one saying this and that - you are no longer in receipt of ESA - she never did receive it. Totally a disaster methinks.

[jennyjoan]

55 and in NI and seriously not well but because of the autism she tells everybody she is great.

[hc4361]

Is she getting a monthly pension from her medical pension?

[murraymints]

she would also have to fill in the form Conne...has she done this ?.if she has never received benefit then clearly a mistake has been made somewhere..she needs to take all these letters and her sick note copies to CAB let them sort it out...

[jennyjoan]

I myself worked in Social Security altho in the typing pool end. When I needed to call to different departments in the building that housed Incapacity Benefit, Job Seekers etc - they are so lackadaiscal and unconcerned.

I had a friend some years ago was trying for a year to get (can't recall) some benefit anyway. I traced her business to three different buildings via her Nat Ins No and within 2 weeks she received £2,000.

[jennyjoan]

Yes HC - think it is maybe £60 a month

[jennyjoan]

Murray you wouldn't believe that CAB were actually responsible for this sorry mess. I personally know this woman and she told this friend to bring her bank book down to Social Security when she was retired.

[jennyjoan]

Sista and I wouldn't know now where to help as she is very muddled and doesn't "know" anything any more. She is a proud person too as I had suggested to sista that she would need a social worker to help her in these times but sista said no way hosay.

[murraymints]

she should ask to see an employment adviser at the job centre then Conne and ask for a clear explanation about what has happened and help in seeing if she can get any financial help..the first 12 months of ESA are contribution based..ie if she has enough ni conts to qualify and any income or savings don't count..after that it becomes means tested...she needs to go with someone as her autism will clearly hinder any proper discussion..

[jennyjoan]

well Murray do you think it is proper for her going to the big doctor Wednesday week.

[murraymints]

certainly not if she has no kind of claim current or past.her gp certs ought to be sufficient along with the proper paperwork..I would strongly advise my above advice re employment adviser BEFORE any such appointment is kept..

[jennyjoan]

thank you

[Gavmacp]

To me she sounds vulnerable and therefore should have someone representing her, maybe a social worker. Though it is a comical (not) process no understanding of mental health. I will say it again if it wasn't a loaded process they would liaise with the person's GP to get a more accurate picture.