Good luck with the outcome! Did you have a MIND advocate with you for the interview? I have just contacted them on behalf of my partner, who has already lost his Incapacity Benefit, but unfairly, we feel. He has suffered from severe depression, social anxiety and agorophobia for years. He was interviewed by a Midwife, and declared fit to work. I am interested to hear if having an advocate makes any difference in these proceedings, as this may be a way forward for us too

My partner had an assessment like this, and has lost his Incapacity Benefit as a result. He was interviewed by a Midwife, and declared fit to work despite having severe depression and social anxiety for years, and doctor's notes to show for it. The interview was a few months ago, and I tried to encourage him to appeal, but the thought of facing a tribunal was too much for him, so he wouldn't do it. They continued to pay him until last month, but now the payments have stopped. I am shocked, first of all, that the opinion of a Midwife, made in 15 minutes, counts for more than the opinion of the GP who has known him all through his illness. Midwives are trained in the care of pregnant women and the delivery of babies. They are not skilled in psychiatric assessment. I am also distressed to find that depression and social anxiety are not really represented in the ESA questionnaire, or the questions asked at the ATOS assessment. He is extremely distressed by the mere thought of visiting the Jobcentre, never mind all the hoops he will be expected to jump through there. Then there are job interviews, and then, if by some miracle there is an employer out there willing to give him a chance, there is the job...colleagues.. people. All this is a massive mountain of fear for someone who barely leaves the house at all. I have contacted our local MIND, asking for advice on what to do next.