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Thread: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

  1. #1

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    Default Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Hello again,

    I'm wondering about some advice. Yeah, I do know they have an advice line but its an 0845 number and I want to research first.

    Our family was supported by my husband getting some sort of benefit for being unable to work. He has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is Bi Polar. However he has now been told he is inelligible for this benefit and has to sign on for JSA. As you get nothing while the appeal goes on he's going for JSA but we've still nothing come through.

    Apart from that issue, we have a 16 year old daughter for whom we get nothing. No benefit and no child benefit as she dropped out of college. She's been told that she is eligible for nothing as she is at home and my husband has been told that she would have to claim not him because of her age ... do they really want us to chuck her out 'cos we can't afford to keep her?

    And this bit I guess really belongs in the general grouses section. My son is in hospital and between us we have to make at least six trips there a week and we should be able to claim the money for this back. However, we have oyster cards with no way of proving our journeys so no way of claiming back. Still, I'm hoping to grab a social worker next Wednesday and see if anything can be sorted. He;s been in since the end of January and probably will be there for at least another 2/3 months. I believe we don't get his benefit stopped as he comes home at weekends and longer at Easter and half term. I have a generous overdraft from my working days and am nearly at its limit .... worry worry worry

  2. #2
    cobweb
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Make an appointment at Citizens Advice, Gattona. Do you get any benefits yourself?. Can your daughter get a job?. Do you pay rent or a mortgage?. Can you get Income Support?. Go to your local Job Centre, they deal with Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit. Does your husband have a support worker/CPN?. Are you able to work part-time and get topped up with tax credits if you can't get Income Support?.

    Also look each benefit up online -
    Carers Allowance
    Disability Living Allowance
    Income Support
    Council Tax Benefit
    Tax Credits

    Good luck!.

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Thanks Cobweb. The CA route is something I should grit my teeth and do - trouble is this is a very disadvantaged area and the queues go around the corner - jobs don't exist here, she and I have been trying. Ah well .... nothing is forever ... thanks again, looking up the individual benefits is a good idea

  4. #4
    cobweb
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    ^ ahh, I suppose when I see 'London' I think of jobs (I'm an unashamed carrot cruncher, he-he).
    Hopefully your social worker will be knowledgable.
    Does your husband get DLA?.

  5. #5

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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Na, think of Dickens, slums, workhouses, gangs, prostitutes, social deprivation. You know, the sort of area where vegan families thrive and feel surrounded by a like minded community Could do with some carrot crunching myself

  6. #6
    cobweb
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Move then!. We've done it, erm 'several' times, I can give you some tips lol

  7. #7
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Sorry to hear this, Gattona. I don't have anything very helpful to suggest but I think that the CA route is worth pursuing even if there is a long queue as they will be able to tell you your rights. They also have a website which is quite good http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm - includes online advice database for FAQs and a phone advice service for some areas.

    Re the Oyster thing, you know you can go online and print out a statement of the journeys you have made (may only work for PAYG though)? Won't they accept something like that as proof of hospital trips?

  8. #8

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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    that oyster print out only works if you did online top ups - we've been thinking of it as a comfortable lump of money to claim that was just sitting there, its not so easy, bother it.

    Thanks for the link Harpy - I'm now starting to consider you as a very reliable alternative to google, oh fount of all knowledge

  9. #9
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Heh, thanks but mostly I just provide a googling service. I have actually used that CA website for something in the past though, can't remember what now.

    I just had a quick look on the Oyster website and it says (edited highlights only)

    https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/pag...play&offset=20

    How can I view my Journey History?
    There are different ways in which you can view /obtain your Journey History statement:
    ...
    Telephone : if you do not have an Oyster Online account, you can request your Journey History by calling our helpline on
    0845 330 9876 (open 08:00 - 20:00, daily) . You will need to provide your full Oyster card number and security password. We will email (PDF format) or post you a copy of your Journey History.

    Stations : you can see your most recent Journey History at touch screen ticket machines, or request a print out at a Tube or London Overground ticket office.


    Seems to imply that those might work even if you don't have the online/auto top-ups?

  10. #10

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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    blimey, I've been searching that site and not seen that. Talk about blind panic. I will write straight away - the phone line is useless, I hung on there for 20 mins yesterday before I gave up. Thanks

  11. #11
    Greyowl55's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    .... and don't give up. Appeal, make a nuisance of yourself, contact your MP. Don't accept anything you are told. And DO try the CAB route - they will tell you as it is.
    "Nostalgia is not what it used to be"

  12. #12

    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Try http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum , they really helped me out a couple of years ago. They have tons of stuff including the actual questions you get asked in interviews advice and what to say, help with appeals etc. It costs about £20 to access everything I think. I found it better than CAB.

    The forum has lots of people in the same boat. Forum is free to access I think.

  13. #13
    cobweb
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    ^ good thinking, I forgot about them!
    I'm a member but hardly ever use it now, will see if I can find my details.........

  14. #14
    cobweb
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    ok, found em, Gattona, if you want to log in as 'me', PM me.

  15. #15
    Why hello! xwitchymagicx's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Good luck with it!

    I am currently trying to apply for Unemployment and Support. It is a worrying time really.
    "It's not that people suddenly start breeding like rabbits; it's just that people stopped dropping like flies" - population explosion

  16. #16
    Bad Buddhist Clueless Git's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    'Lo Gattona and sorry to hear about your problems

    Slack Alice happens to be a benefits advisor for the CAB. She will be by here shortly to see if she knows anything that will help you.
    All done in the best possible taste ...

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Quote Cupid Stunt View Post
    'Lo Gattona and sorry to hear about your problems

    Slack Alice happens to be a benefits advisor for the CAB. She will be by here shortly to see if she knows anything that will help you.
    Hi Gattona

    Yes, I am indeed a CAB (specialist ) benefit advisor in conjunction with my Macmillan role!!!

    I would have jumped in with advice earlier but I missed your post as I havent been on the forum for days due to ill health.

    I think the best thing to do is to PM me all the details and I will attempt to (remotely) do a benefit check up for you and see who should be claiming what!!! Would that be helpful?

    BUT ...Initial glaring disparity I can see is...if your husband applied for ESA (Employment Support Allowance) due to his inability to work due to ill health .And DID originally receive it and then it was withdrawn AND you have lodged an appeal against this decision ...then he should be being paid ESA at the base rate of £65.45 for the whole period between the date he lodged his appeal and the actual date of his appeal hearing.

    If he applied for ESA and following completion of a medical assessment by him OR following a medical interview he was deemed ineligible and then appealed ..the same applies. He is entitled to the base rate while awaiting an appeal decision.


    BTW... to everyone in UK

    If any other members have general queries about benefits and would like a bit of clarity about the benefit minefield I will glad give any help or pointers I can as long as you appreciate it may take me a few days to respond due to a hectic working life!!! I will of course discuss them on forum if you are happy to as this might help other members or am just as happy for you to PM me if you wish and will of course respect your confidentiality.

    Cheers

    Slack Alice

  18. #18
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Quote xwitchymagicx View Post
    Good luck with it!

    I am currently trying to apply for Unemployment and Support. It is a worrying time really.
    Hiya xwitchymagicx

    What actual benefit is it you are applying for? Can I help at all? PM if you want any advice

    Slack Alice

  19. #19
    baffled harpy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Wow, Alice - I suspect you're going to be mega-popular! I hope you're feeling better if you've been unwell.

  20. #20
    SlackAlice's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Quote harpy View Post
    Wow, Alice - I suspect you're going to be mega-popular! I hope you're feeling better if you've been unwell.
    yep...suspect you might be right harpy!!! ...never mind it will keep me out of mischief at least!

    Slack

  21. #21
    ems.w's Avatar
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    I used to volunteer for citizens advice and you have several problems that need addressing hear. Go to your local citizens advice and explain in full detail and make sure you take all forms from jobcenters, direct gov etc.....also information on what you used to get and how much and what your recieveing now. They are brilliant and will help you good luck
    Peace, Love and Coffee =)

  22. #22

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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    I'm lost for words. Thanks to this wonderful vegan community for support, advice, and websites advice. Will pm you Alice, but I know you are not well so I don't expect an instant answer. Also, getting a person not functioning 100% due to CFS etc to sort out their paper work isn't easy so I may not have a lot of info for you to go on for a few days

    Thanks again

  23. #23
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    Default Re: Anyone know anything about the benefits system?

    Quote Gattona View Post
    I'm lost for words. Thanks to this wonderful vegan community for support, advice, and websites advice. Will pm you Alice, but I know you are not well so I don't expect an instant answer. Also, getting a person not functioning 100% due to CFS etc to sort out their paper work isn't easy so I may not have a lot of info for you to go on for a few days

    Thanks again
    Ok Gattona
    Just whenever you are ready ...

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