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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU in feeling so fed up of it all?

84 replies

IntheBenefitTrap · 21/04/2017 16:25

I'm in my early 30s and have various health conditions. I'm classed as disabled, blue badge etc but have been working in a professional role up until a few months ago.

I've had to stop working because my disability has got much worse and I'm housebound 99% of the time, bedbound about 75% of the time.

We are really, severely struggling. My husband works a full time job but is on little more than minimum wage so gets about £300 a week. We've applied for housing benefits and been told we can't get more than £1 a week because of DHs income. I am not entitled to ESA because DH works over 16 hours and I took a year out from working to do a post graduate degree. I can't claim Jobseekers because I am unfit to work. We aren't entitled to tax credits as DHs income is too high (ha). I've applied for Pip and been turned down because the assessor told some extremely ludicrous lies and even though he saw me sobbing in my bed, I was deemed able to live normally.

Our outgoings are so much more than £300 a week and £20 child benefit. We have a DS in school and I honestly don't know how we are going to feed and clothe him, let alone us. We have no savings, we are in council accommodation (10 years ago I was made homeless by ex DH) and we both have debts.

I've seen citizens advice who have confirmed that because DH works 37 hours at just over minimum wage, we can't get any help.

I can no longer walk and NHS funding won't stretch to a wheelchair. I have to buy one and because my condition effects my arms, it has to be electric.

You hear about things like this happening to people but never really think it will happen to you. We've both worked all out working lives, we are nice people, we live to be kind to others. How can this have happened to me?

I feel so useless. I'm in constant pain, I can't move and the stress is making me literally want to die. How can some people seem to get so much help and yet others are left with nothing? I don't understand.

Is there anything at all we can do? I don't know how to go on. I'm disabled and sick and a waste of space in the governments eyes yet 6 months ago I was working for them. Life's a proper bitch.

OP posts:

Akire · 21/04/2017 17:29

I'd double check there's plenty of disabled ppl who never able to work and claim ESA without paying stamp. You would have been in full time education before this so only missed a year, quite normal. If you were suddenly single they would have to pay you ESA to live on, I don't get it!

Original poster

IntheBenefitTrap · 21/04/2017 17:30

Because I could count backwards, add up and tell him the route to my local shop, it seems like he's deemed me perfectly fit and able. I don't understand either - in one breath they're saying Pip is now going to be based on mobility not mental capacity and in the next, if you're mentally sound, you don't qualify. It's bloody stupid.

OP posts:

Original poster

IntheBenefitTrap · 21/04/2017 17:31

I have akire, I even went to cab who confirmed this is correct. Are the ones you know on their own or with a partner who doesn't work? They said that's the only way I'd get it is if I was single or we had no income from DH.

OP posts:

Akire · 21/04/2017 17:34

I second the advice about disability services to apply again. Then thencan support you through appealing the result if you need too. It's worrying because if you are not claiming anything you are getting nothing towards your pension either, so long term it's a disaster. Least on a benefit of any kind you are on the system. Don't give up, be prepared for fight and get support.
Have my own PIP assement on Tuesday already get DLA so shall see if medical is as bad as
I fear!

Akire · 21/04/2017 17:35

I know someone who's never worked was ill from 16, claimed incapacity then ESA work based. Kicked Off after a year but appealed and now in support group. Currently lives with a working partner and never paid in and able to get as support group.

Babyroobs · 21/04/2017 17:36

Something is wrong her ! You should be getting child tax credits. The cut off for that with one child and no childcare costs is around £26k.
You need to appeal the Pip depending when it was refused. You may need to make a new application. Get help to fill it out or to appeal.
It's a shame you took the year out or you would have been entitled to contributions based ESA -
Have you looked to see if there are any disability grants available towards the wheelchair. CAB or Disability charities may be able to point you in the right direction.

Akire · 21/04/2017 17:37

I speak to MP about housing too, not safe just to stay upstairs forever! What happens in emergency? Least SS should help with stair lift to get you up and down.

Babyroobs · 21/04/2017 17:40

Your dh's wages are just over the threshold for working tax credits not for child tax credits. You should be getting some of those, are you sure your child is down on the tax credits claim? Might be worth giving them a ring.

Vanannabananna · 21/04/2017 17:50

Make sure you ring pip and get your medical report. Go through it sentence by sentence and refute anything that isn't true. Rightvit all out. If someone else is DH helps you and writes letter include that in reconsideration.

SabineUndine · 21/04/2017 18:19

Can you crowdfund a wheelchair and a stairlift?

carolinescustard · 21/04/2017 18:23

Your household wage should definitely qualify for child tax credits.
I'm so sorry for you and your family.
I can feel the pain in your posts please get help to get your situation looked into properly.
Good luck.

Dixiechickonhols · 21/04/2017 18:30

Is there a charity related to your profession, I'm thinking like solicitors benevolent charity etc.

wilma60 · 21/04/2017 18:33

Appeal. We've been through this too. There is an online support group that helped us a lot. I'll send you a PM. There are also FB groups that help with PIP, ESA etc. Just search foR PIP

Original poster

IntheBenefitTrap · 21/04/2017 18:36

I've had a really good look at the latest tax credit letter and it looks as though it's because they've taken my wage into account too, because I was working up until a few months ago. When I filled out the forms though, I said I no longer have an income so not sure how long it will take them to update it to me being on no wage.

I started a Go Fund Me for a wheelchair about a month ago and I have £70 so far. I was reluctant to do it because I don't really have many friends or family and it felt like begging but a friend encouraged me so I thought why not?

I don't think there is a professional charity but there is a grant organisation for professionals who have had to give up work due to illness, so I've just applied for one.

I've also requested a copy of my Pip assessment from Capita so hopefully I'll get that soon and be able to break it down and respond.

OP posts:

Babyroobs · 21/04/2017 18:40

Op you need to ring tax credits asap and tell them that you will have no income for the coming tax year. You should start getting payments of child tax credits soon. This is where the problem has occurred. Those child tax credits will make some difference.

Babyroobs · 21/04/2017 18:42

Hopefully tax credits can also back date , please ask about this you may find you are owed a lump sum.

dangermouseisace · 21/04/2017 18:48

OP, you can phone the tax credits people and tell them you are now earning nothing. They will update your records really quickly- I had it pretty much instantly when 'd'H left.

Seriously though, most people who have actually managed to get DLA/PIP in recent years have had a struggle to get there. Appeal, you WILL get there eventually. CAB should be able to help you with appeal/tribunal.

Was it an occupational therapist that came out to see you with regards getting about your home? I used to work for SS and wouldn't have been happy if someone couldn't get out of the house in an emergency…it's not safe. If you haven't had an assessment from social services for care, or occupational therapist re moving somewhere more accessible/adapting your property I would request one. You might have a wait though, unfortunately, but if you are essentially trapped upstairs you should be prioritised.

Also, you said that you have been referred to the wheelchair clinic…I wouldn't rule out the possibility that you might get an electric wheelchair if you can't use your arms. I've known people get them through NHS. In the meantime your husband might be able to obtain one to borrow through the red cross.

dangermouseisace · 21/04/2017 18:49

borrow a manual one, not electric of course.

passthewineplz · 21/04/2017 19:32

Have you read the guidance about claiming PIP on the disability rights website?

It gives advice on competing the form, and dispute the decision.

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/sites/default/files/word/PIPGuidetoclaiming16March2017-1.docx

There's also this website that gives some information about charities that can help you get a wheelchair.

www.bettermobility.co.uk/charity_funding_options.php

I'd also speak to scope, to see if they can provide you with any support with claiming the right benefits. www.scope.org.uk/About-us

Re tax credits, if you're already in receipt of tax credits, you can update your details online. I found that my account was update within a matter of days.

www.gov.uk/manage-your-tax-credits

www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

MatildaTheCat · 21/04/2017 20:15

CAB did my entire PIP appeal for me. I'd had my award reduced. The woman was an absolute angel, she did all the paperwork and used a different angle from me and worded it better, too.

I did have to do the tribunal without her but took a friend and that bit was fine. Please do this, most appeals are successful. If you can get maximum points on mobility you can join Motability and get a car or mobility scooter funded.

Please keep persevering. I've had such a nightmare with all of this but it's finally working out. Get help as much as possible and get support from any relevant groups. For example there are closed Facebook groups for lots of medical conditions. Just search and request to join. My FB group is a fantastic support to me.

BrieAndChilli · 21/04/2017 20:22

Tax credits calculator reckons you should get about £330 every 4 weeks. Ring them up and say you no longer have an income and they will reassess and possibly slightly back date if you are sure you put that on the form.

wrinkleseverywhere · 21/04/2017 20:36

This sounds terrible. Hopefully other posters advice on benefits is correct.
What profession were you? I am pretty certain there are hardship funds for solicitors & accountants so there may be for other types of profession too.

staffy777 · 21/04/2017 23:31

No advice as such except to send supportive hugs.

Don't let the bastards grind you down (further).

Sending positive vibes and keeping my fingers crossed that things start to move in a better direction for you soon.

Motoko · 22/04/2017 01:38

I got a bath chair from the Occupational Health people. It's electric, with a charger and remote control. It sits on top of the bath and you sit on it sideways, then swivel yourself round (your DH could help you move your legs), then you use the remote to lower yourself into the bath, and back up when you're finished.

Ask them to come back out and tell them you can't bath or shower, they should be able to help you.

KatieB55 · 22/04/2017 10:01

Contact Fightback for Justice
www.fightback4justice.co.uk/
They will help with your PIP appeal and have people that will attend tribunal with you. They are very successful with applications and appeals.

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