Awaiting a diagnosis, dealing with the DWP

[automatedhero]

I am an adult currently on the waiting list for an autism diagnosis with a private company (referred via NHS) called Autism360. Unfortunatley, despite being told I'm top of the list, my appointment is on hold due to a pause in funding. Hoepfully this will be resolved sooner rather than later.

I am currently in receipt of Universal Credit having been migrated at the end of last year from ESA. Consequently I have monthly meetings with the DWP. I find these very stressful. I would liek to tell them that, while I am pending a diagnosis, to leave me alone. They have not so far been unpleasant, but I cannot help thinking that, sooner or later, demands will be made of me that I cannot meet. Fundamentally I do not trust them. Their goal is not to support but ultimately to reduce the benefits bill. we all know this.

My question is what are my rights in this situation? What can i expect of them? Can i ask they leave me alone? Are they allowed to push me into work related activity that I am not comfortable with?

Thanks

 

[Rose]

Hello, automatedhero, welcome to the forums
I just want to preface this message with saying this is not legal advice (etc).


Have you reported your disability/disabilities and had a work capability assessment yet? If not, I believe you are allowed to ask for one.

Being open and honest with them is best, this way they can plan the path forwards, and could even point you in the direction of some useful support (they did this for me).

I fully sympathise that these appointments are not pleasant for us autistic people, could you also not ask for telephone appointments instead of in-person appointments?


Just know that you are not alone in this situation, and I hope they can make some reasonable adjustments for you

 

[automatedhero]

Hello, automatedhero, welcome to the forums
I just want to preface this message with saying this is not legal advice (etc).


Have you reported your disability/disabilities and had a work capability assessment yet? If not, I believe you are allowed to ask for one.

I have had one, i was on ESA as a result and then migrated over with the disability component.

Being open and honest with them is best, this way they can plan the path forwards, and could even point you in the direction of some useful support (they did this for me).

That support would have to be independent and provided by people in good standing. Years ago I saw a DWP Work Psychologist who was, to be blunt, hopeless. They said they could do a diagnois, and then decided otherwise. A pattern of behaviuor that continued until we went our separate ways.

I fully sympathise that these appointments are not pleasant for us autistic people, could you also not ask for telephone appointments instead of in-person appointments?

Every other appointment is in person, the rest are video calls. I don't know if they can all be done that way. My assumption was not.

Just know that you are not alone in this situation, and I hope they can make some reasonable adjustments for you

Thanks

 

[Joeys]

I am an adult currently on the waiting list for an autism diagnosis with a private company (referred via NHS) called Autism360. Unfortunatley, despite being told I'm top of the list, my appointment is on hold due to a pause in funding. Hoepfully this will be resolved sooner rather than later.

I am currently in receipt of Universal Credit having been migrated at the end of last year from ESA. Consequently I have monthly meetings with the DWP. I find these very stressful. I would liek to tell them that, while I am pending a diagnosis, to leave me alone. They have not so far been unpleasant, but I cannot help thinking that, sooner or later, demands will be made of me that I cannot meet. Fundamentally I do not trust them. Their goal is not to support but ultimately to reduce the benefits bill. we all know this.

My question is what are my rights in this situation? What can i expect of them? Can i ask they leave me alone? Are they allowed to push me into work related activity that I am not comfortable with?

Thanks

Hi nice to have you here. I can't speak for what your rights are which feels useless from my part, as our situations are v different. The only thing I can say is at first they referred me to an external recruitment site, via the council I think but I cant be sure. I became so overwhelmed with all the emails, phone calls I asked if this could be deferred for a specific period of time with relevant supporting evidence etc. I found employment support later through my therapy group which has been great and I've just done my second in-person interview in a very long time. I wish you all the best and welcome to NDSA.

 

[automatedhero]

Hi nice to have you here. I can't speak for what your rights are which feels useless from my part, as our situations are v different. The only thing I can say is at first they referred me to an external recruitment site, via the council I think but I cant be sure. I became so overwhelmed with all the emails, phone calls I asked if this could be deferred for a specific period of time with relevant supporting evidence etc. I found employment support later through my therapy group which has been great and I've just done my second in-person interview in a very long time. I wish you all the best and welcome to NDSA.

Thanks

 

[automatedhero]

What work group are you in?

Limited capability I think. Not sure what it's called now

If you’re on Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can require regular meetings as part of your Claimant Commitment.

Well, everyone's on (or going to be) Universal Credit.

A monthly meeting is common, but the reason depends on which work group you’re placed in.

Why they schedule monthly meetings

1. Work search monitoring
If you’re in the All Work-Related Requirements group, monthly meetings are usually to:
Check your job search activity
Review applications and CV updates
Set new work search goals
Ensure you’re meeting agreed hours of job-seeking
This is compliance-based. Missed or insufficient activity can lead to sanctions.

Thankfully that hasn't been the case yet. I don't think I can handle that right now. Though I don't suppose they would believe that.

2. Work preparation support
If you’re in the Work Preparation group (often health-related but not assessed as having Limited Capability for Work), meetings focus on:
Preparing to move toward employment
Skills courses
Confidence building
Addressing barriers
Less about applications, more about progression.

Probably this group. I really dread stuff like 'confidence building' courses; I find all that stuff absolutely counter productive. One fo the reasons to get a diagnosis, so I can shwo them that i'm neurodiverse, not 'low confidence'.

3. Light touch / health review
If you’re in:

LCW (Limited Capability for Work)
LCWRA (Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity)

You should not normally have mandatory monthly work search meetings.

LCW → occasional work-focused interviews may still happen.
LCWRA → no work-related requirements at all. Meetings are rare and usually administrative.

I'm not entirely sure to be honest. I don't think thy've said. But I do have monthly meetings and have never been told that these are optional.

4. Safeguarding or vulnerability monitoring

Sometimes monthly contact is used if:

There are health concerns
There’s risk of disengagement
They want to ensure income stability
This isn’t always clearly explained.

I really don't want to deal with them at all. It's so stressful knowing that, depending on how they feel, they can just cut my income and push me into poverty. How can that be any basis for a productive relationship?