DWP

I phoned again today about my housing benefit. Nothing had been done but someone phoned the DWP whilst I was crying and having a panic attack whilst on the phone to a man who had no idea what to say or do. Finally he said that the DWP had confirmed that my ESA had not been changed so his supervisor was working it out and if I phone tomorrow they'll tell me how much I asked why I would end up owing them money when it was their mistake. My benefits hadn't changed. He said he couldn't say anything and they'd tell me tomorrow if I phoned up.

But he gave me a new excuse for the mistake and I have to say that I only thought I'd heard them all because this new one is a cracker. Apparently for no apparent reason the DWP computer contacted the housing benefit computer and said that my ESA had be cancelled in 2015. Now I know that computers appear to be clever but they're only as clever as the human who programmes them. I've never yet heard of two computers who contact each other for a chat and agree to f*ck up some poor beggar's benefits just for a laugh.

So I have to wait until tomorrow to hear what my fate is. Will I get the money they owe me or will they have discovered that I owe them? The answer seems obvious but not only God moves in mysterious ways. The people running the benefits system do too.

A quarter of a million food packages handed out by the Trussell Trust in the 2015/16 year because of people being sanctioned.
Other reasons as well, but that's the worst and the most disgusting.

skwawkbox.org/2016/11/21/foodbank-stats-give-lie-to-tory-economic-competence-and-humanity/

Paddyann I completely agree with you, the whole thing is a fiasco and such a waste of money. When My DH had his assessment, four years ago so it was still ATOS then, you should have seen the list of lies in the paperwork which came back.

" He took his coat off and put it on with no trouble"...errm excuse me, he didn't have a coat on when he went in to see her!! " He had no muscle wastage in his legs"...She didnt look at his legs, and I pointed out in the appeal letter that had she done so she would have seen muscle wastage in one leg( Nothing to do with his illness), but from a skin graft years ago after a bad car accident. I could go on and on but I am winding myself up and wont sleep :-(.
I hate them, I know that is a strong word, and probably a waste of my energy but I do

my lovely daughter has multiple health issues including fibromyalgia ,for anyone who hasn't heard of it it causes chronic pain and fatigue amongst other distressing symptoms ,it took almost three years to get a diagnosis and her GP who has been extremely good suggested she apply ofr PIP as she is often in too much pain to even shower or get the kids ready for school .Even armed with the facts on the medication she has to take to get through a day ,up to 26 pills ,her application was turned down as the person ( not medically qualified) said they could see no issues with her that warranted the payment .Surely IF these assessments have to take place it should be by a doctor ,someone qualified .

I haven't contacted my MP yet but will if necessary. I have to phone again on Monday.

This is par for the course when you rely on benefits. Some unknown faceless person cocks up and you face the consequences.

@dj

Work doesn't pay and that's precisely the point I've been making. Being ill/disabled isn't a black/white yes/no situation. There are many people who can't work full-time, but could do little jobs to boost their income and self-esteem, even if it's only enough to go out once in a while, have a nice meal or have a good haircut. The system doesn't let them. Once people admit that they could work for a few hours a week to boost their income and their self-esteem, they are deemed not eligible for ESA.

Well done, Shanma. Your DH sounds like precisely the kind of person who should be getting total support. Years ago, contacting my MP proved helpful in cutting through red tape. My following JSA meeting was with the JobCentre Manager who couldn't have been nicer. She arranged for me to get a bus pass to go to interviews (nobody had ever told me I was eligible) and even paid for a pair of shoes when I did find myself a job!

Vampire, have you been in touch with your MP? When my Husband had to stop work 4 yrs ago, and this is a Man who has worked extremely hard, with no time off his whole working life. At the age of 60 after being ill and struggling on for a year, refusing my pleas to get him to see a Doctor, he finally went, almost dead on his feet
to the point where the Doctor's first words to him were " How the Bloody Hell have you kept going in that state?"

So...I digress, but I want to point out that my Husband is not and never has been a "Waster" So, to start with he is on the basic level of ESA, then he had to attend an " Examination" with ATOS I of course went with him for moral suppost and also as he is profoundly deaf since Birth, and I took notes which they didn't like too much. It was the most demeaning experience of our lives, and stressed DH out such alot.

Two days later I had a phonecall from DWP. A woman calling herself the decision maker...We have stopped your Husbands money as he scored NO points!! I asked her what she knew about Parkinson's, and she said ( I kid you not) " What is it" I almost exploded. I asked her how she could sleep at night, taking on the job of a so called decision maker when in reality all she had to do to qualify for her post was to be ablw to count to 15!!.

I then got straight onto the MP's office, the Lady there was Fantastic, she told me that although they couldn't get the DWP to alter a decision they could make them sit up and take notice, and also have them call me at a prearranged time. We then went to the GP, who is also very supportive, he wrote a stinking letter to the DWP. I set to at the same time and had a letter of appeal in the post the next day.

In the interim period I had occasion to ring DWP again, and the Guy was so obviously reading from a script. I told him to stop that right now and fetch me someone with half a brain. He said someone would call me tomorrow as he didnt want to talk to me anymore

By this time the MP's input had gotten through as had the Docs letter and our appeal. I was called by a manager who was very civil, and pleasant. Within a week I had another call, they had changed their minds and were putting DH not only back on ESA, but in the support group. He said the money will be in the bank within a week. I said " No it won't, you will personally see to it that it goes todsy, faster payment"...you know what? it was in later that afternoon.

All I am saying is fight the good fight and don't let the bastards grind you down, make a nuisance of yourself, keep at it like a dog with a bone. The sad thing is though, and this makes me very angry is that most people in this situation are very ill, and not everyone has someone to fight on their behalf. That is so wrong.
Sorry rambled on a bit but once I got typing I couldn't stop !

Motorised motability scooter time?

That is appalling but doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

I've still not got the 'I'll send it today' letter from the DWP confirming that I still get ESA and the housing benefit haven't been able to contact the DWP which is odd because they have the phone number (I asked).

I just got the 'you'll get it backdated' comment again.

For those who think that being in work pays. I don't think many people know this happens.

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2016/11/18/an-example-of-in-work-conditionality-when-work-doesnt-pay/

Vampire, there was a story yesterday in the i about a 59 year old woman who ram-raided the offices of her council with her motorised mobility scooter. When she was inside she squirted oil over the computers, desks, walls and floor, then drove off.
She said she did it because they refused to answer her calls.
She will be in court next year, but she will at least be heard then.

www.24housing.co.uk/news/planning-and-jobs-vital-says-cathy-come-home-creator/

Hope you get your rent sorted out quickly, vampire. Then you might be able to buy some of that Toblerone. (Sorry!)

Just read an article where the heading was about record number of new homes. It was the highest number in eight years. Just shows how the government twists things.

If they can keep people talking about Toblerone they don't have to worry that we might start finding out what's really going on in the world.

That's appalling. vampire. It makes me so angry.
According to this man, it's the fault of Trump and Toblerone that there is no outcry in the papers.

www.musculardystrophyuk.org/talkmd/topic/the-nations-shame/

The government has been criticised by the UN about the way they behave towards the disabled, and they say they are going to take no notice of the recommendations.

You feel so powerless, don't you?

I can give first hand evidence of PIP assessment. I ended up with the benefit but not before they'd put me through hell.

When you are on benefits then you are a hostage to some invisible person who has total control of your income and if they make a mistake (or follow guideline) you are the person who loses out. This has happened to me this week. I receive housing benefit. Usually this is £245. Of course this isn't my full rent because the rules say that we must be penalised for having 2 bedrooms. Also someone decided the maximum you can have in this area is £69 a week which is much lower than minimum rents but the powers that be say it isn't. Anyway, this month they only paid £33. When I phoned they said that the DWP had told them I no longer receive ESA. Another panic phone call the to DWP. This time I was told that they hadn't been in touch with the housing benefit. Back to the housing benefit who now said they would have to check with the DWP but not to worry because any money would be paid to me eventually. I pointed out that because of them I had no money and how was I to pay my rent? Blank response.....there is nothing I can do (this is a standard response along with your money will be backdated).

My rent is £425. Usually I have to find the extra £175. This month I have to find an extra £392. I have to find this money because I can't ask my landlord to forego part of his rent (his income) until it's sorted out even if it's backdated.

The stress of losing this part of my benefits is horrific. Imagine what it must be like to be left with nothing.

www.stop-pip.org/#watch-now

I've just been watching these videos. Vampire knows they are true.

www.stop-pip.org

Food banks in Liverpool. I doubt it will happen.

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/mp-steve-rotheram-calls-government-12165322

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2016/11/11/secret-dwp-documents-prove-they-silenced-the-media-from-running-stories-they-didnt-approve-of-evolve-politics/

So much for a free press.

A fullfact report on how many single mothers will be affected by the benefit cap.

fullfact.org/economy/impact-new-benefit-cap/

www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/benefit-sanctions-north-wales-job-12142360

Is it better to split up the effects of benefit sanctions into areas, so that local people realise it does affect people in their area?

I like the DWP spokesman's quote.
A spokeswoman for the DWP added: “Sanctions are an important part of our benefits system and it is right that there is a system in place for tackling those few who do not fulfil their commitment to find work.

“All claimants have the right to appeal a sanction and are able to present new evidence.”

A few more than a few, I think.

It's a damning indictment of this government that there are any children living in poverty in this country.

On the local news yesterday it was said that nobody in the North East will reach the benefit cap. However, today it was said that one in three children in Newcastle now live in poverty.

touchstoneblog.org.uk/2016/11/three-quarters-people-hit-benefit-cap-children-today-things-got-worse/

The link is not about the North East.

Thanks for the reply and the link will read later.

Some benefits are classed as taxable income. I claim ESA and have a very small pension so I still pay income tax. DH is my carer on just over £61 a week. That's classed as taxable too. I also get PIP and some housing benefit which are not taxable.

There will be some people who get £400 a week but they will live in high cost housing areas and/or have lots of children. Most people don't get anywhere near that amount but the media like to report the odd case as if it's the norm.

This is a Guardian report from 2013 but it gives you an idea of the percentages on benefits
www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/apr/06/welfare-britain-facts-myths