Help Needed With Ib50 Form

[frettful38]

Thanks in advance for any help with this major headache of a problem.

Advice is needed for a very good friend of 30 years.

She has had a lot of very bad problems in her past which has left her on anti-depressants, I really would like to help her but there is only so much knowledge I know, which ain't much when it comes to this kind of stuff.

My friend has received a IB50 form ATOS saying she has to fill in and send back within 6wks. She had a PCA last year and failed it, she appealed and won, which was a very big relief as the PCA meeting had left her very traumatized, Now she is having to go through this again.

The reason I am asking for help is I am very worried about her mental state of mind, her husband has left her, she had a very life threatening ectopic pregnancy years ago which have left her physically and mentally scarred. She has since always suffered pain in her abdominal. She visits her doctor regularly and gets treated by her for the pain and depression, which she has medication for, she has arthritis in her hands, she suffered bells palsy about 10 years ago and has not recovered fully since.

The problem now is she is very afraid to go to another PCA meeting and constantly lives in fear because she suffers depression and anxiety, she has panic attacks and low mood. I was hoping to suggest that if possible she could have the PCA meeting done in her home where she may feel more safe. She very rarely leaves the house and I do not know what rights she is entitled to.

Also if anyone could advise on how to fill in the IB50 would be magic, as my friend has been on income support and dla allowance for nearly three years. Her depression is very sad for me because I knew what kind of person she was before all this happened, she was just a happy go lucky person and I miss that very much. And I am trying to do whatever I can to help her for old times sake but my knowledge is very limited in this department. I do not know what will happen if she goes to another meeting as the 1st one was a complete c..k up.

 

Is it possible she can ask her doctor to write some sort of letter on her behalf?

Please could anyone shine a light for my friend and give some advice on how I can help her. Happy xmas to all and I hope 2009 will be better for each and all, God bless

Edited December 21, 2008 by frettful38

[callumsgran]

Hi what a lovely friend you are!

 

Your friend really needs to go and see her local CAB, they should have a welfare rights officer who will help her with her forms and will advise her whether she needs a supporting letter from her doctor

 

Good luck and merry xmas to you both

[version302003]

Hi, Med services (atos) will only consider a home pca if they recieve a letter from either her gp or specialist and if there is good reason. If there is a history (in her gp or ib notes etc) then they will consider it. Normally her gp would have been sent an ib113 form to complete about her , it is at this point he would indicate if a home visit would be needed.

 

Its best to get your friend to ask her gp to write a letter (and get a copy as they can go missing).

[frettful38]

Thank you so much callumsgran & version302003 for your good advice, I will tell her tomorrow to make an appointment with her doctor so she can get her to write a letter,

 

Does anyone know what the facts are to be exempt for filling in the IB50 form, even though my friend has a lot physical pain her most is her mental health. I have read that you have be disabled or something of life threatening illness to be exempt from filling in this kind of form.

My friend has thoughts of suicide a lot at times which is very disturbing for me, I suggested counseling but it's very hard to find a free one. She is not at current under any psychiatrist which I personally thinks she should be, because if she was then maybe that would help and save her from going through the very bad ordeal at the PCA meeting.

If anyone could help a little further or if I can get some rights for her I would be eternally grateful,

 

Have a happy Xmas and worry free new year:)

Edited December 21, 2008 by frettful38

[callumsgran]

Hi again

I'm not sure if i can post this link (its not commercial) but pm me if it gets deleted

Youreable.com - The leading disability resource for disabled people is a forum for help with benefits, have a look

[frettful38]

Thanks will have a read of this and get back to you, thanks very much:)

[loan_ranger]

I have mental health problems and the dreaded IB50 also fills me with dread each time it arrives, so I can see where your friend is coming from. I got my last one in March this year and, based on my description of how my conditions affect me, the DWP decided not to refer me to ATOS for that ridiculous medical.

 

My advice:

The IB50 is a questionnaire mainly about physical disabilities with mental disabilities only getting a small blank box for the claimants to describe how their disability affects them, it fails to give any real help or guidance to enable them to do this.

First, read the list of Mental Health Descriptors' and points system used by the DWP, then include all the descriptors which apply to you. (web page c/o benefitsinmind.org.uk) If your condition fluctuates (e.g. bi-polar disorder) remember to describe things according to how you are affected on your 'bad days' - it doesn't make you a "malingerer" this is how you are supposed to reply to the questionnaire.

If the answer box isn't big enough then add extra pages of your own.

When I filled out my last IB50 I could see that the pathetic 1/3rd of a page (and "additional info" page) provided by the form wasn't enough space to enable me to fully describe my condition, therefore I wrote, printed and sent with the form my own pages and wrote in the space-box "See attached 3 pages". (IMPORTANT: remember, on every page, to put your - name, date of birth, National Insurance Number, as well as the title "Personal Capability Assessment - Mental ‘Disabilities", the date posted and individually numbering each page. Save a copy for yourself.

 

I can let you have my copy (word processor document) which you can use as an example to assist you in doing your own, you can also use the same document as a template because it has all the descriptors, just delete my answers to each descriptor and insert your own. The document is private and confidential for your use only, therefore you will need to contact me via my website (click on the contact us link on my homepage, then click contact "Editor" to send me an email mentioning "Personal Capability Assessment - Mental ‘Disabilities".

Edited July 31, 2009 by Rooster-UK

[frettful38]

Thanks so much loan ranger, please could you send me the template as soon as you can I will be very grateful if we could fill it in before the new year. You seem to have some very good points which could help my friend. Thank you once again for all your help and have a good xmas:)

[ukbix]

loan ranger, your sig states

 

I've been running a Crisis Loan campaign and help website since Jan 2007 . See my posts c/o "theyworkforyou". I'm also currently interested by the recent DWP Medical Services reform and the effect this is having on valid claims, seriously - someone needs to be keeping a suicide count.

 

Do you have any links or info re that medical services reform you mention? Is it the new ESA system or something else?

Edited July 31, 2009 by Rooster-UK
De-Linked

[loan_ranger]

ukbix, here's a couple links from a posting on another thread:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/172360-ib-changes-mental-health.html#post1880986

 

"The Bickerstaffe Record" cuts through the Government spin.

 

There are some interesting comments (Annotations) re: Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations, Work and Pensions, Written answers and statements, 25 October 2007 here.

 

This report demonstrates why ATOS cannot be trusted.

 

I (and these commentators) have grave concerns regarding the use of private sector agencies being paid cash incentives based on sending the sick and disabled back to work.

[Amanda6]

Hi Loan Ranger,

I have just received an IB50 form to complete for Incapacity Benefit. I have had trouble in the past with my benefit being discontinued, as the assessor consider that I was well enough to work. I appealed against the decision with the help of a solicitor, and was successful. Now that I have to go through the whole process again, I am worried that if I don’t fill in the form right, then I may have the same problems again. I see in your earlier post in this thread that you mention your word processor document which could be used as a template. I would be interested in seeing your document to help me with completing my form.

[Quanda_Quartz]

Hello,

I was searching for information on the Internet about the IB50 form to help my husband fill in his form this year. I found a great reference that I'd like to tell you about.

It's called "incapacity for work questionnaire (IB50)", and it's written by the Welfare & Employment Rights Advice service (2003).

The link is:

ediss.co.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=7955&type=full...

This is the best reference I've found so far because it actually explains how the responses are ranked and tells you how to check your score. It opens with the good advice that the form needs to be filled in while considering your WORST day.

I hope you'll find this document helpful. I sure have!