Comments | landfill_sky: The DWP

landfill_sky

The DWP

Jan 19, 2010 23:06

Today I got a letter from the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions - the people that deal with benefits) saying, essentially, that I don't fulfil their criteria for being unwell, and therefore am no longer entitled to my Employment and Support allowance. And as such have no income whatsoever.

( Triggering for mental health, and my being REALLY FUCKING ANGRY )

dwp, illness

Comments 26

_lady_vanilla_ January 19 2010, 23:28:36 UTC

Oh God, I'm so sorry honey. *hugs*

All I can suggest is that, yes, you do appeal. You'll get some sort of money whilst the appeal process is going on and you can give them all the proof they need to know you need this. The phone call will be horrid but I am more than hopeful it will be worth it.

Having worked at the DWP for six months now I find so many circumstances where ESA/Incapacity seems badly mismanaged and does the wrong thing. I just hope you can get what you need. Get doctor's notes, medical history and fucking cram it down their throats. They deserve it.

landfill_sky January 19 2010, 23:49:12 UTC

Thank you so much, any advice you can give me would be totally appreciated. Gemma is pretty savvy in this area and is helping as best she can but I just feel once again - impotent. and it's just horrible.

Thank you for the kind thoughts *hugs

The DWP _lady_vanilla_ January 20 2010, 15:22:52 UTC

If you haven't phoned them yet I could send you the appeal form you need you don't have to call them. Just private message me your address and I'll do it today.

(The comment has been removed)

landfill_sky January 19 2010, 23:52:49 UTC

Well they recently gave me my backdated payments which I thought was a step up. (btw I started following you on Twitter, I'm sailor_jerry)

It is vile, and it's wonderful Gemma is so used to it and calm and level when I'm in a fuzz. I'm so grateful for her experience and patience.

It's just - sometimes it feels like I should shout at them 'WOULD IT BE EASIER IF I HAD A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?!'

*hugs*

(The comment has been removed)

landfill_sky January 20 2010, 00:07:40 UTC

Oh sweetheart, that's awful.

I've had to spend the evening being reassured by Gemma and family that this is an incomplete analysis which can be altered.
But like I say it feels like they're telling mentally ill people 'we can't see your problem so it doesn't count' and my LJ friends have helped more than I can say.

Thread 6

miss_next January 19 2010, 23:38:00 UTC

That is appalling. Yes indeed, bombard them with all the medical evidence you have, and the very best of luck with it. If you keep at them, you do have some chance that they'll give in.

landfill_sky January 19 2010, 23:54:46 UTC

*many hugs*

I've got an appointment with my psychologist on Thursday so I'm going to talk to her about contacting the DWP with nearly 10 years of info about me.
*cuddles*

steerpikelet January 19 2010, 23:50:14 UTC

I am so fucking sorry. And so fucking angry. For FUCK'S sake. I actually shouted at David Blunkett about this in a questions session today when he DARED to fucking claim that the difference between Labour and the Tories is that 'tories will farm out the aspects of the welfare state to private companies who don't care about people.'

Actually, can I quote/link to this post in a write-up? THIS is why they are going to lose the goddamn election, the BASTARDS.

landfill_sky January 19 2010, 23:59:41 UTC

Sweetheart, use this as much as you want/need. If you need my angst about this don't hesitate to ask.

*hugs*

If you want me to make this public I have no fucking problem with it at all.

steerpikelet January 20 2010, 00:07:18 UTC

If you felt like making it public, that would be useful. I was meant to go to bed, but I'm actually going to stay up and blog this all over the internet, after that fucking toad had the fucking gall to fucking LIE to us about this. I've been through this with my partner, after we'd spent a year getting to the point where he could admit that no, he's not making it up, he has fucking Fairbank's disease.

One thing to check - did you actually have an ESA interview? or did they just send you this out of the blue?

I just want to get on the train and give you a hug. I'm so sorry.

landfill_sky January 20 2010, 00:17:57 UTC

Yes. They cited in the letter that my 'questionnaire' and interview were the basis for their decision, where my views were HORRIFICALLY unrepresented. I.. I don't even know how the conclusions were made that were gleamed from what I wrote/said.

Please, source this and spread the word. Like i say, just let me know and I'll make the post public if it's helpful.

*hugs*

Thread 10

richsc January 20 2010, 00:47:08 UTC

I've had nothing but trouble with them. They seem to be happy with me now that I'm working a part time job and am still looking for work on top of that, which feels a bit FML, even with my rubbish degree.

If you want to go and throw rocks at them at any point, you know where I am, yeah?