Universal benefits

Perrier

Perrier

Banned
Just an update to this...

Ive just tried my best to help out a neighbour who is waiting on a court date for her disability payments to be reinstated now for well over a year.

poor woman hadnt even got a toilet roll let alone any food in the house.

i couldnt live with myself if i didnt help out so ive cleared some of my food cupboard and threw in a few toilet rolls til i can get to the bank tomorrow to sort her some real shopping to last her the week.

what a sad sad country this is , a mark of any government is how they look after their elderly and disabled .. im ashamed to be called british :(
 
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Perrier

Perrier

Banned
tek-monkey said:
It really is disgusting, but people are more concerned that a brown person may come into the country than that our own people are starving :(
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That and the fact that one of those MP's voted for these cuts and several others so those people are in serious need whilst he can afford to throw £700 to a barmaid or two for sex.
 
Tilly

Tilly

Well-Known Forumite
Stafford is a Turkey town for sure

Anything practical you think we should be doing other than burning down the Daily Mail offices?
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
I think I've had a rubbish 10 years and only a few people know my full story but if my experiences of living on benefit can help anyone then maybe it's time to tell my story. I'm not going to go into full details of 10 years ago, I'm not looking for sympathy. I just think most people don't know what it's like to struggle, to feel desperation. 10 years ago I wasn't the person a lot of you know today. It's safe to say I was at rock bottom. 10 years ago isn't my living on benefits story though because I came through that hell. I eventually opened Jade and that still continues today to a certain extent but under a new name. I was the manager at Saffron for 4 years until I was made redundant when the shop closed. It coincidentally coincided with the start of my dad's illness so I looked on it as a positive as it meant I could care for Dad. I spent every day for 10 months either caring for him at home or spending hours with him in hospital. From march to may I was under the care of the police and women's aid as I was in an abusive relationship. I just managed to escape that and get my own flat when I found out I had cancer. I had two operations and managed to escape chemo. At this point I was on ESA but once I got the all clear I switched to universal credit. From the 7 week wait for money to the constant mistakes to the continual 'rebuilding of my claim ' which flagged up at the council as me being taken off benefit and resulted in hours and hours at the council pleading for benefit to be reinstated. Several months of late payment due to mistakes. Accidentally paying into an old account. Then at the end of my claim being told you have to have a change of circumstance on the 'right' date or you lose benefit ( in my case almost 3 weeks worth). Then 2 months after coming off benefit receiving a letter saying I've been overpaid £723 ....how!!? Absolutely no way! Well safe to say I'm happy they aren't taking new universal credit claims at present. Anyway like I said I'm not looking for sympathy but I feel as if the forum isn't as friendly as it once was and a lot of people are very judgemental. Just bear in mind people...things aren't always what they seem. Be kind. Don't judge.
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
Jade-clothing said:
I think I've had a rubbish 10 years and only a few people know my full story but if my experiences of living on benefit can help anyone then maybe it's time to tell my story. I'm not going to go into full details of 10 years ago, I'm not looking for sympathy. I just think most people don't know what it's like to struggle, to feel desperation. 10 years ago I wasn't the person a lot of you know today. It's safe to say I was at rock bottom. 10 years ago isn't my living on benefits story though because I came through that hell. I eventually opened Jade and that still continues today to a certain extent but under a new name. I was the manager at Saffron for 4 years until I was made redundant when the shop closed. It coincidentally coincided with the start of my dad's illness so I looked on it as a positive as it meant I could care for Dad. I spent every day for 10 months either caring for him at home or spending hours with him in hospital. From march to may I was under the care of the police and women's aid as I was in an abusive relationship. I just managed to escape that and get my own flat when I found out I had cancer. I had two operations and managed to escape chemo. At this point I was on ESA but once I got the all clear I switched to universal credit. From the 7 week wait for money to the constant mistakes to the continual 'rebuilding of my claim ' which flagged up at the council as me being taken off benefit and resulted in hours and hours at the council pleading for benefit to be reinstated. Several months of late payment due to mistakes. Accidentally paying into an old account. Then at the end of my claim being told you have to have a change of circumstance on the 'right' date or you lose benefit ( in my case almost 3 weeks worth). Then 2 months after coming off benefit receiving a letter saying I've been overpaid £723 ....how!!? Absolutely no way! Well safe to say I'm happy they aren't taking new universal credit claims at present. Anyway like I said I'm not looking for sympathy but I feel as if the forum isn't as friendly as it once was and a lot of people are very judgemental. Just bear in mind people...things aren't always what they seem. Be kind. Don't judge.
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:hug:
Life is shit, people are twats, luckily a few bright lights usually shine through. I grew up sitting in Kemley House waiting for the arseholes to decide how much my mum was allowed to earn once my dad left before they took it all back off her, I remember what benefits under tories was like. IIRC anything over a fiver was simply removed, how farking dare you try and better yourself while also having children that the father can just walk away from? silly billys.

And now we're almost back, full circle. I'm embarrassed that people associate me with our government :(
 
Withnail

Withnail

Well-Known Forumite
Jade-clothing said:
I think I've had a rubbish 10 years and only a few people know my full story but if my experiences of living on benefit can help anyone then maybe it's time to tell my story.

I'm not going to go into full details of 10 years ago, I'm not looking for sympathy. I just think most people don't know what it's like to struggle, to feel desperation.

10 years ago I wasn't the person a lot of you know today. It's safe to say I was at rock bottom. 10 years ago isn't my living on benefits story though because I came through that hell. I eventually opened Jade and that still continues today to a certain extent but under a new name.

I was the manager at Saffron for 4 years until I was made redundant when the shop closed. It coincidentally coincided with the start of my dad's illness so I looked on it as a positive as it meant I could care for Dad. I spent every day for 10 months either caring for him at home or spending hours with him in hospital.

From march to may I was under the care of the police and women's aid as I was in an abusive relationship. I just managed to escape that and get my own flat when I found out I had cancer. I had two operations and managed to escape chemo.

At this point I was on ESA but once I got the all clear I switched to universal credit. From the 7 week wait for money to the constant mistakes to the continual 'rebuilding of my claim ' which flagged up at the council as me being taken off benefit and resulted in hours and hours at the council pleading for benefit to be reinstated.

Several months of late payment due to mistakes. Accidentally paying into an old account.

Then at the end of my claim being told you have to have a change of circumstance on the 'right' date or you lose benefit ( in my case almost 3 weeks worth). Then 2 months after coming off benefit receiving a letter saying I've been overpaid £723 ....how!!? Absolutely no way!

Well safe to say I'm happy they aren't taking new universal credit claims at present. Anyway like I said I'm not looking for sympathy but I feel as if the forum isn't as friendly as it once was and a lot of people are very judgemental. Just bear in mind people...things aren't always what they seem.

Be kind. Don't judge.
Click to expand...
I have taken the liberty of deconstructing your wall o' text into something more readable - you have my deepest sympathies whether you want them or not.

One thing i would like to say is, dude, you should have said.

Too late now, perhaps, but if anybody else out there is going through any of ^that kind of shitstorm, please don't be shy of asking for help on here.

It might seem like merely a platform for talking shite, but there are good people on here who'll do what they can whenever it's needed.

We must love one another or die.
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
Withnail said:
I have taken the liberty of deconstructing your wall o' text into something more readable - you have my deepest sympathies whether you want them or not.

One thing i would like to say is, dude, you should have said.

Too late now, perhaps, but if anybody else out there is going through any of ^that kind of shitstorm, please don't be shy of asking for help on here.

It might seem like merely a platform for talking shite, but there are good people on here who'll do what they can whenever it's needed.

We must love one another or die.
Click to expand...
Sorry it wasn't very readable, I'd had a glass or two of wine and although - as stated I wasn't asking for sympathy, I was feeling extremely sorry for myself at the time.
Honestly @Withnail my life has always been one big shitstorm - you know there are those kind of people who just never get a break. Or they try to help others and it comes back big time and kicks them up the arse. Or they just damn well make wrong decisions all the time - well that is me! I'm big and strong and can take it because it's what I have come to expect so I never ask for help (well, very rarely).
I've finally, finally, finally got a bit of a break though and at last been offered a full time job - but as always, with me the twist in the tail is that I'm living in the back of beyond and can't drive so no way I can get to Stafford for shifts. I'm desperately looking for somewhere to live back in Stafford if anyone knows of anywhere.
Things to bear in mind - I won't pass a credit check, I'm really not wanting to go through an agent as I refuse to pay their rip off fees, I'm a model tenant and can provide excellent references, I'm sick of moving so really want something that is my ideal now rather than moving then moving again - my ideal is either a house or a ground floor flat that is cheap but that I can make really nice. My budget is £450 per month but preferably less if poss - going rate for 1 bed seems to be about £400 but I'll pay more if it has white goods and is furnished or part furnished. That would really be ideal if anyone can ask around please.
 
Gadget

Gadget

Well-Known Forumite
You've always got a friend/ear here with me. I live at the mercy of the DWP and they aint that merciful! 2 disabled kids one of whom they have decided is 'cured' so I still have all of the struggle and expense but less money. Compassion these days seems a rare thing, the Tories have done a wonderful job in vilifying those of us who struggle.
I went through a nasty patch some times back and some lovely people here offered me help, for which I'm extremely touched and grateful for. There are still decent folk out there, a glimmer of hope in dark times.
 
Perrier

Perrier

Banned
@Jade-clothing @Gadget

Respect to both of you.
Your stories are typical of how things have got over these last 10 years.
Strength , determination and help from those who care have gotten you this far.

Yes , the Tories are vicious and are very experienced in creating devides in society for their own ends.
However for them to be able to do that they have to be voted in by people who would also benefit from the less fortunate taking the hit.

I've heard comments such as 'why do they need a disability car, they don't look ill' and a comment I got one time was ' why don't you find a job , I've never seen you working'
All are comments from people who think they know better or think they have a right to chastise as they are what the government call ' the hard working tax payer' but mainly they are comments from people who have to work hard for what they are paid I agree , but hate as the government like to put it ' people getting something for nothing'

The truth is they don't know and don't understand or don't want to know.

Personally I save the country a lot of money . £64 a week for a carers allowance is a damn sight cheaper than 24/7 hospital care.

The truth is I don't care what those type of people think. I'm doing what's morally the right thing and if that doesn't suit society I can't help that.


Anyways , i wish you both the best of luck and things start looking better for you soon
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
Gadget said:
You've always got a friend/ear here with me. I live at the mercy of the DWP and they aint that merciful! 2 disabled kids one of whom they have decided is 'cured' so I still have all of the struggle and expense but less money. Compassion these days seems a rare thing, the Tories have done a wonderful job in vilifying those of us who struggle.
I went through a nasty patch some times back and some lovely people here offered me help, for which I'm extremely touched and grateful for. There are still decent folk out there, a glimmer of hope in dark times.
Click to expand...
:hug:
 
arthur

arthur

Nixon Garden Neatness
perry081064 said:
Just an update to this...

Ive just tried my best to help out a neighbour who is waiting on a court date for her disability payments to be reinstated now for well over a year.

poor woman hadnt even got a toilet roll let alone any food in the house.

i couldnt live with myself if i didnt help out so ive cleared some of my food cupboard and threw in a few toilet rolls til i can get to the bank tomorrow to sort her some real shopping to last her the week.

what a sad sad country this is , a mark of any government is how they look after their elderly and disabled .. im ashamed to be called british :(
Click to expand...
 
arthur

arthur

Nixon Garden Neatness
If you need any help with this let me know - I run a community project now that gives information and guidance on welfare benefits, debts, employment and family matters and much much more, we have a team of people that all volunteer on this project that can help and support anyone struggling with social problems. We appeal benefit decisions and we have a furniture bank and a food bank project as well. Were in the Rising brook area - we don't give advice - there are other agencies that do that and we are not connected to them - we actively help the person sort their problems out and give practical and emotional support.
 
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