DWP

Today's Daily Mirror has a report of a young lad of 18 committing suicide because the Job Centre 'woman' made him feel so bad and threatened to sanction him for not actively seeking work even though he was. He didn't want to be a burden on his family so killed himself.

I hope that 'woman' knows how she pushed him over the edge.

These targets to remove people from benefits have to stop. How many more people have to die as people who are supposed to be there to help them are actually more interested in chasing bonuses for sanctioning them.

The housing benefit sage continues btw. Can't write much about it because it causes my stress levels to spiral out of control but can tell you that last Monday when they told me that it had been stopped altogether and that we should send them even more details so it can be 'reviewed again' I was very nearly where the young lad in my last post went. It was only the fact that DH was with me that kept me safe. I couldn't cope anymore.

Vampirequeen Have you been to see you MP yet? Sorry if I've missed that you have.
Sometimes they can step in.

I haven't got the mental strength left to do anything. I'm concentrating on not dying....sorry that sounds dramatic but unfortunately it's true. The upside is that whilst I'm able to say that it's on my mind I'm actually less likely to do it. The real danger time is when the words can no longer be said.

We keep jumping through their hoops and then they simply produce more even higher hoops.

Have you or your OH contacted AgeUK, vampire?
Ours has a retired solicitor working there who will help anyone in trouble with the DWP or housing benefit system.
Sorry for what's happening, and for trying to teach you to suck eggs, if that's what I've been doing.
Who is your MP?

I'm very sorry to hear what's going on vampirequeen. It's no wonder you feel as you do. Resist those feelings, though, so that the bullies don't win.
Keep your strength up with the help of your wonderful DH.

I haven't been in touch with anyone yet because, until Monday, each time I spoke to someone they led me to believe that it was in the process of being sorted out. Now I'm too ill to do anything except survive atm.

Go to the CAB a soon as you can get an appointment.

Just go!

Sorry Daphnedill. I know you're right but now it's too far gone. All my energy is being spent on surviving and not curling up into a ball.

Seeing GP tomorrow but apart from meds there is nothing she can do. I have a mh team who are supposed to look after me but they don't (haven't seen any of them for over a year). DH will keep me safe until I come through the other side of this. He gets £62 a week for being my carer. Bargain compared to what it would cost the NHS.

I'm safer than I was yesterday and no doubt will be safer still tomorrow unless, of course, something else happens.

My problem is that I don't look ill so am automatically a scrounger in the eyes of a lot of people esp. benefits officials and they target those they perceive to be scroungers.

Thanks for letting me ramble on here. It helps.

How are you, vampire?
I have just been reading this. I don't know if anything in it will help you, but I hope so.

skwawkbox.org/2016/12/12/benefit-sanction-overturned-thanks-to-skwawkbox-article-could-this-help-you/

No news as yet. I'll phone again tomorrow if I feel up to it but tbh it's getting far too distressing to deal with anymore. I'm very much on a knife edge atm. Fighting to keep my mh from tipping over.

I'm not surprised people commit suicide. We've only had part of our benefits removed and it's financially crippling. I can only imagine what it's like to have all your benefits stopped.

How are you, vampire? Did you phone yesterday?

I've just been reading this. I'm not surprised she's started an anti-government blog.

rachaelswindon.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/the-shameful-rise-of-child-homelessness.html

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thousands-progressive-mental-illnesses-lose-9458222

vampirequeen no words just love

Couldn't bring myself to phone today. Will do it tomorrow.

VP I hope you have a restful nights sleep and manage to make that call in the morning, remember GN are rooting for you.

Made the phone call. No one has even looked at it since I sent the last lot of evidence they asked for last week. This customer service officer (you never get the same one) said it takes up to a fortnight and didn't even offer to try to get it speeded up. She seemed somewhat affronted when I asked if we were looking at January before it was assessed again and said they were at work all next week and I should phone next Thurs/Friday. So Thursday it will be.

My local councillor has offered to help so we'll give them until January and then he can take over.

Gosh VP they really are useless, dont wait until Thursday, call on Monday p.m to make sure the remember you. Hope your ok

vampirequeen
Contact them again on Monday, and every day thereafter until they do something about your case.....they'll ignore you unless you make a bloody nuisance of yourself!
Go and see your GP, get her to refer you urgently to MH services, then try to get them to get involved with DWP.
Good luck.........and don't let the bar-stewards grind you down

Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) has published a free online booklet on 'Mental Health and Debt'.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/mental-health-guide

It's aimed at sufferers and carers. I don't know how useful it is, but it's good to see somebody like Martin Lewis taking the issue seriously.

I really appreciate all your support.

They won't even talk to DH because the claim is in my name....well apart from the time I became suicidal on the phone and then they couldn't talk to him fast enough.

Basically they say whatever they think you want to hear to get you off the phone whilst in reality doing bugger all. It's supposed to have been marked as urgent because it's affecting my mh but obviously it hasn't.

Daphne, you might like to read this.

www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2016/12/23/sanctioned-at-christmas

Are you okay, vampire? Anything sorted yet?

Got a letter today. They want to know if we own our house. Now bear in mind this is all about housing benefit to help pay the rent. I've moved from mere hysteria to hysterical laughter now {grin]

Fortunately I am in a very calm period. Christmas is here and sorted. The rent is due on 2nd Jan and I will have enough to pay it by borrowing off Peter to pay Paul but at least it will get paid. I'm not even going to think about it until after the holidays (no point cos they'll be shut anyway).

Well done for sorting out Christmas while all this stupidity was going on, vampirequeen.
I hope you have a relaxing time.

Oh, dear, vampire. What stupid people.
It makes me wonder if they have a script and have to ask certain questions in order to slow the process down.
My son used to work for housing benefit in Hull over 30 years ago. I am so pleased he did not see it as his career. It must be so disheartening for those intelligent ones working there.
I can't believe they are all really that thick.