Diary of a benefit claimant.

No discussion is necessary though I would urge you to watch the video to see how cruel Tesco are. No further response is required.

Just seen this MissAdventure. So happy for you!

Thank you.

Had my PIP phone assessment took hour and 46 mins. Will hear in 8 weeks if I will get anything.

How do you think it went, Whiff?

Stardreamer and KatieKnitsSocks
Yes, it could derail the thread; there's another thread about vegan and ethical food which is interesting.

MissAdventure ? for you that your life will soon get back on track

And Whiff I hope it doesn't take that long. ?

It really is a disgrace that people who are in need of help have to jump through so many hoops and wait so long for answers.

Thank you.
I still really wish I felt better, though.

This money won't be going on eyebrows or TVs.

It will hopefully give me back some kind of quality of life.

I do realise that, on a very limited budget and not feeling well, it's not always easy to buy ethically produced, organic food even though this might be better for your health and your conscience.

In fact it's not easy full stop.

Just seen this MissAdventure So pleased for you. Time to get your life back on track now

Such good news MissA. It restores faith in the system . Celebrate ?,!

MissA no idea as she could only write her report and it's up to some faceless jobs worth to past judgement . I have been waiting for 34 years to get help. And over those years we tried to get financial help but after we went to that tribunal my husband said he wouldn't put me through anything like that again. I did try after he died but as soon as they asked what my condition was called and when I said no one could put a name it that was it they wouldn't even fill in any forms. But since April I have a name and it's rare. I was born with it. All thanks to my neurologist having my blood genetically tested.

To add insult to injury my husband died aged 47 he paid a lot of NI for 30 years as he was on good money . I have been told by DWP I will get 43p a week from what he paid in. It makes me angry to think how hard he worked up until the last month of his life he thought he had paid enough so I would be ok when I got my pension.

That's a bitter pill to swallow, Whiff.
My dad was 47 when he died, too.

Let's hope the pip news is good.

MissA had a text this morning they have the report. Just got to wait 8 weeks to see if I will get anything.

It's hard went your dad dies young . You couldn't have been very old. ?

That's fast, then Whiff.
Hopefully the assessor has just let your condition speak for itself, as it were.

My decision came through sooner than 8 weeks. (Still no sign of the money, though)

I was 14 when my dad died.

I was 14 when my dad died; he had cancer, like Mr Whiff.

Well done Kyrgios.

Sorry. Wrong thread. ☺️

So pleased for you Miss Adventure. I hope having a little bit of the worry reduced helps your heath as well.

Whiff I hope your help takes less than 8 weeks.

DH’s dad died when he was 47 as well. They said it was malignant hypertension. ???

Thank you, dustyangel

My husband died from malignant melanoma grade 4 we always knew he wouldn't live 5 years he lived 3. Our children were 20 and 16.

MissA as you where that young your mom could must have been younger than me. I was 45. I found everything was geared up for widows 60+ but if you are widowed in your 40's or younger you are on your own. This was my experience in 2004.

Hopefully it's got better for young widows and widowers.

Yes, I think my mum was a bit younger than you were, Whiff.
I think she got widows pension, possibly, which is now only given for a short time. I'm not at all sure on the rules about it all.

I think someone asked in here if I would say what rate my award is.

I had the letter today, and it is standard rate for both components; daily living and mobility.
That seems right to me - obviously I am nowhere near as disabled as some, so it is the middle rate.

The mobility side is a huge issue for me, but I can accept that it, too, is a fair award.
(Plus, to appeal could mean being disallowed and getting less)

I have fared very well, as long as I am able to try and manage a taxi at some point.

MissA Good news. Glad you have had a decision at last, and you are happy with it, hope it makes a difference.
Maybe there us a voluntary driver system in your area, or some other transport system to help people who can’t run to taxis.

Yes there is one of those.
I havent been eligible up until now.
Working age, not retired and not disabled. .
The proBlem is that I won't be able to walk around the supermarket, now.
Perhaps I'll manage a cuppa and home again and be able to build up some strength.

silverlining48

MissA Good news. Glad you have had a decision at last, and you are happy with it, hope it makes a difference.
Maybe there us a voluntary driver system in your area, or some other transport system to help people who can’t run to taxis.

Ah, I have had voluntary drivers, from an organised service of volunteers to take me to the dentist and bring me back.

They charge, though I think some people can get it free. Though it is less than the taxi fare.

However, the main advantage over a taxi (asterisk) is that they do the whole process, including escorting from the car to the destination and vice versa, and make sure you get back into your home, and are prepared if necessary to help.

I know someone who had a taxi (from a business that had several taxis) to an optician and was told to ring for another taxi when ready to go home.

(asterisk) In fairness I did once, before I knew of the volunteer service, have a pre-booked car (which is legally different from a taxi as they cannot go to taxi ranks for the passing trade, but in fact the self-employed man preferred it that way) and he did the return trip and saw me back into my home.

MissA, I am glad you were awarded both components, but sorry you did not get the Enhanced award. If you were close, say with 10 or 11 points, it could be worth a challenge.
You are right of course that theoretically there is a risk of losing what you have got, so I Understand your reluctance.
I wish I could help you more.

Thank you, Cabbie.
It does rankle very slightly, (comparison is the thief of joy) to see my neighbours out and about every day, several times, when they were awarded the higher rate for mobility.

My award notice came through with a leaflet about living in a nursing home!
The award I got is enough to make life easier, though, so I am happy to get what I did.