I think I'm just irate at the moment as the way the Government are implementing this is for those who are sick on on Income Support:
You go for your medical at which the Dr assigned asks two questions and makes up the rest of the answers (which is fraud and is being looking into by our citizens advice lady and a formal complaint has been lodged)
Then instead of telling you anything a letter turns up from your housing association or whatever asking you how you are going to pay your rent now your benefits have been stopped.
We call the benefits agency who more or less shrug their shoulders when we ask what is going on and are told in no uncertain terms... "if you want money sign the job seekers allowance forms we've sent you or appeal but it might be 6 months before you get any money"
At which point we both break down and don't know what to do as this has come the day before we pay our gas and electric bill and need food.
We call our friend who works for CAB and she tells us this is their back handed way of getting people off of benefits by just stopping them with no warning and forcing people to sign the job seekers allowance forms to get money.
When you appeal you get your benefits reinstated at 80% but it took them two full months to even bother getting around to do that at which point it was stressed it could be 6 months before my appeal is looked at and I should just make it easier all around and sign the jobseekers allowance forms which states I am fit and able for work... if you sign this you can not appeal!
So two months down the line we are now two months in debt with water, gas, electric and are no closer to getting our appeal heard.
Now... this has done both myself and my OH's health no end of damage, I have cried more times in the last two months than I can remember, my OH's Psoriasis has gone mental and his mental health is more than a little shaky at the moment (and I am really worried about him) and he is in constant pain anyway with his back which is badly damaged after a work related accident.
Now, (me) having had a break down two days into the worry our friend has been great and helped us out ALOT but can you imagine if the person is alone, has no help and is maybe slightly mentally infirm?
Needless to say we are not the only ones who have been treated in this way and CAB are being flooded with people treated in the same manner!
It doesn't sound much when I write it down but can you imagine not knowing where you are going to get money from or infact if you are going to get any money and the benefits agency being less than helpful in outlining your options? I can tell you there have been times I have really honestly thought I could not go on...
Luckily we managed to borrow some money for OH's mom who is a pensioner but we have to somehow find that money to pay her back on top of catching up with all of the bills we are now getting threatening letters from.
I really have no idea how people enjoy living life on benefits or even how they afford to do the things they do while on them because I can't make ends meet and have spent the last two months running around trying to sort everything out while feeling at rock bottom and suicidal...
I know that's a bit of a rant but this is the heavy handed tactics that are being used on the vulnerable of late... and it's enough to make you want to lock yourself away and cry until it all goes away!
I am just thankful I do not have children because I have no idea how I would have coped with having to look after them too...
Who wants to bet they just hope alot of people just can't deal with it and don't appeal or sign for JSA and thus the magic numbers go down?
... and btw... my GP laughed when I asked her if I was medically fit for work...
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