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Audism and ADD, refused Adult disability payment Scotland
- Richie@@7
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5 days 59 minutes ago #311110 by Richie@@7
Audism and ADD, refused Adult disability payment Scotland was created by Richie@@7
I was recently diagnosed with Autism and ADD after a lifetime of struggling with my sense of self and never fully understanding why I experienced the world so differently from others. Receiving the diagnosis was a relief, as it finally gave me clarity about who I am and why I face the challenges I do. I have been on long-term medication for anxiety and depression because daily life has always been incredibly difficult to manage. In addition, my OCD affects every part of my day, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming and, at times, impossible.
I am married and act as a carer for my wife. Due to our financial situation, I was advised to apply for Adult Disability Payment, as I experience significant difficulties every day that affect my ability to function and live independently. Although I can drive, I am only able to do so locally, as travelling to unfamiliar places is extremely distressing and triggers severe anxiety.
Completing the application form was extremely challenging for me, and I required support throughout the process. Despite this, I was awarded only 2 points for difficulty reading signs due to my dyslexia, and zero points for all other areas. This outcome was very disheartening, as I feel it does not reflect the reality of the struggles I face daily. I do not believe my conditions or the impact they have on my life were fully considered.
I now feel lost and unsure of what to do next. I would be grateful for any guidance or support that might help me strengthen my Mandatory Reconsideration application.
I am married and act as a carer for my wife. Due to our financial situation, I was advised to apply for Adult Disability Payment, as I experience significant difficulties every day that affect my ability to function and live independently. Although I can drive, I am only able to do so locally, as travelling to unfamiliar places is extremely distressing and triggers severe anxiety.
Completing the application form was extremely challenging for me, and I required support throughout the process. Despite this, I was awarded only 2 points for difficulty reading signs due to my dyslexia, and zero points for all other areas. This outcome was very disheartening, as I feel it does not reflect the reality of the struggles I face daily. I do not believe my conditions or the impact they have on my life were fully considered.
I now feel lost and unsure of what to do next. I would be grateful for any guidance or support that might help me strengthen my Mandatory Reconsideration application.
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- BIS
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6 hours 21 minutes ago #311196 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Audism and ADD, refused Adult disability payment Scotland
Hi Richie@@7
I'm sorry this has happened to you, though I am not entirely surprised. Many assessors don't have a clue about the impact of Autism or ADD. I suspect someone thought you are a carer and therefore you are fine!
I am not familiar with the system in Scotland - but you need to get hold of a copy of the ADP assessment report if you haven't already. You need to see why they appear to have ignored everything. When you have that, you need to go through question at a time, see what they have said and contradict it with your evidence. It's hard for me to give you any further advice without knowing what they have written - but you need to use sentences such as "the assessor ignored my evidence", "the assessor is mistaken ...", "the assessor has omitted to say ...." You will probably need to address the issue that you are a carer - because they generally question how you can fulfill your caring duties as well as need support yourself. Don't worry, there are plenty of couples that are both disabled and one is a carer for the other. Again, I can't tell you what to say here, but I have a friend who is physically disabled and suffers from depression, but she is a carer for her husband, who is even more physically disabled and more depressed than she is, and it was accepted that she offers him psychological care. She does not claim to look after him physically, because she can't. If they didn't bring it up in the report, then don't mention it - but if they have, don't run away from it. Point out that you still have your own needs. Also, I would say in your response that many of the symptoms of autism are invisible to strangers.
You said you had been diagnosed recently, and there is a possibility that they ignored them because of your recent diagnosis. If they have, you need to say that these difficulties have been there for a lifetime.
I assume you only have a month to get in your response - if you need longer, then you need to ask for an extension. I don't know if they are giving them in Scotland or not.
BIS
I'm sorry this has happened to you, though I am not entirely surprised. Many assessors don't have a clue about the impact of Autism or ADD. I suspect someone thought you are a carer and therefore you are fine!
I am not familiar with the system in Scotland - but you need to get hold of a copy of the ADP assessment report if you haven't already. You need to see why they appear to have ignored everything. When you have that, you need to go through question at a time, see what they have said and contradict it with your evidence. It's hard for me to give you any further advice without knowing what they have written - but you need to use sentences such as "the assessor ignored my evidence", "the assessor is mistaken ...", "the assessor has omitted to say ...." You will probably need to address the issue that you are a carer - because they generally question how you can fulfill your caring duties as well as need support yourself. Don't worry, there are plenty of couples that are both disabled and one is a carer for the other. Again, I can't tell you what to say here, but I have a friend who is physically disabled and suffers from depression, but she is a carer for her husband, who is even more physically disabled and more depressed than she is, and it was accepted that she offers him psychological care. She does not claim to look after him physically, because she can't. If they didn't bring it up in the report, then don't mention it - but if they have, don't run away from it. Point out that you still have your own needs. Also, I would say in your response that many of the symptoms of autism are invisible to strangers.
You said you had been diagnosed recently, and there is a possibility that they ignored them because of your recent diagnosis. If they have, you need to say that these difficulties have been there for a lifetime.
I assume you only have a month to get in your response - if you need longer, then you need to ask for an extension. I don't know if they are giving them in Scotland or not.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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