Universal Credit and ESA need to be more joined-up, this will save the government money and save mental health sufferers’ stress by making them attend more health assessments.

In September 2018 I applied for Universal Credit because I was told by the Jobcentre that I would have housing benefit paid and that I would be able to get help with my housing.

I was already on ESA and in the support group since 2015 due to mental illness and a physical back injury that left me almost paralyzed due to a police assault.

When my parents sold the family home back in March 2018 I was facing being homeless and with not being well enough to work, I couldn’t rent privately as I needed evidence of my income.

I panicked and applied for Universal Credit under the impression I would also be receiving housing benefit. I still continue to receive ESA but at a reduced rate due to receiving £170 a month for Universal Credit.

In March, this year I had to fill out another Health Assessment form for ESA and I had to attend an assessment back in the summer.

It was the first one I have been asked to attend in the 4-years I have been receiving the benefit.

when I arrived I had to go to reception and show my ID and my petrol, bridge crossing receipt and my bank account number so I could claim my money back.

I asked my Dad to take me because I didn’t want to go to a strange place on my own.

I live in Cornwall but was asked to attend the appointment in Devon, which also meant I had to cross the Tamar bridge to get to the centre.

We had to wait in a room, with a few people waiting.

We had to wait a while because there was a delay but once in the room, I had a lady assessor who spoke to me about my illness and how it affects me.

I was in the room for around an hour before she asked me to do exercises such as bending down.

I told her this was too painful because of my back pain and she said she would end the assessment as she knew I felt uncomfortable.

Six weeks later, I received a letter from ESA to say that there was no change to my benefit and that I would be staying in the support group which meant I was still unable to work.

If you haven’t received an ESA decision within 8 weeks I would contact them.

Back in October, I received another health assessment form, but this time it was for Universal Credit. I filled in the form accordingly and sent it back on time.

Today, the weekend before Christmas I received another letter asking me to attend the same assessment in the same assessment centre in Devon.

I rang the number and asked why this was and they said that Universal Credit and ESA are different and that they just make the appointments.

If Universal Credit and ESA were more joined-up, they would be able to book appointments that are more spread out.

I can understand once a year but two in one year? Although they are two different benefits I’m claiming these due to the same illnesses.

Fewer appointments would be less costly and stressful for those having to attend them.

Has anyone else had to attend two or more Universal Credit and ESA health assessments in one year?

A few months ago, my father told me to apply for (PIP) Personal Independence Payment after reading a news article about the government doing a U-turn and relooking at awarding people with mental health.

I applied and was invited to attend an assessment. I went with my father wearing sunglasses and dressed in black.

I could barely walk unaided due to chronic back pain and a bulging disc affecting my right and left side.

I never make eye contact with people, especially people I don’t know, and I’m always fidgeting.

I told the assessor on arrival that I couldn’t sit in the chair provided because it wasn’t a proper chair for bad backs.

She said to me that they had no other seating and that if I felt uncomfortable during the interview, I could stand up, which I did.

The PIP assessor also wrote on the decision letter that they thought that I could prepare food, take nutrition, manage therapy, wash and bathe, dress and undress, communicate, engage with people face to face and make budgeting decisions.

However, my father had to answer most of the questions for me, and he told me I never once made eye contact with the assessor.

They also said that I coped well and did not appear anxious and referred to the mental state exam, which I have even never heard of.

I scored 4 out of the whole form, and they decided to award me those points for needing to be prompted by another person to undertake a journey to avoid causing me mental distress.

I deal with things a lot differently from what they described, so I decided to appeal their decision as I feel my illness has a massive impact on all of the things mentioned above that they think I can cope with.

I’m now awaiting the reply from my Personal Independence Payment appeal, and I hope that this story will have a better ending.

If you or someone you know has been turned down for PIP or has appealed the decision, please comment below or on our social media pages.