scared and worried

johannamse

CAT wrote:

I have every intention of going back to work when all this is resolved and so at the back of my mind, is the medical records, I don't want to find myself in a position where an extra benefit could put paid to the type of job I do. I've already had to take 3 years plus off my working life and employers, quite rightly, want to know I'm fit for the job, I've had to pass medicals in the past so it's a semi conscious though when dealing with all of this. :-) But I'll certainly look into it :-)

You need to deal with the NOW, when the time comes for you to go back to work, you can go to the Doctor and get a clean bill of health and you could even get a letter. So don't worry.

Anyhow, DLA is not based on income OR whether you work, so even when you go back to work, you can still claim (if your symptoms remain). Many people claim this whilst working.

Savvy_Sue

CAT wrote:

I have to admit, I've been wondering what's the best way of handling the overdraft of £250, should I apply it all to the account or use it to make the payments she wants, etc, I'm inclined to use it as a lump sum but also realise the validity of your comments about ensuring no missed arrears payments, your thoughts? Or, anyone's for that matter :-)

My gut feeling is that you shouldn't make a lump sum payment before you've been to court unless you can clear the arrears and continue to eat and keep yourself warm and start paying off the overdraft etc. My guess is that you can't do this sensibly.

My head's full of cold this afternoon so I haven't ploughed back through all your other posts, but definitely keep paying whatever you've been paying until now. At court, there will be an enquiry into your financial affairs - I think you'll be asked to disclose before court, but I'm not sure of the procedures, never was directly involved and no longer working for an HA so can't check. Then the judge will set a payment, based on your income and expenditure. If you had the money in the bank, then the judge could reasonably require you to pay a lump sum, but I don't think they would require this if you were using an overdraft to do it.

There should be a duty solicitor at court who you can talk to, unless things have changed.

If it's any comfort, the HOs are usually as scared of going to court as the tenants are ... And it may not be your HO who's there, at our place they used to take it in turns and just get a brief rundown beforehand of anyone else's cases which weren't straightforward.

I'm surprised that a verbal agreement on your arrears wasn't confirmed in writing: it should have been, IMO. And yes, making a complaint is often worthwhile ...

Good luck!

44pinkpink

hello. just wondering how you're doing....been wrapped up in my own things the lasy few days, but have still been thinking of you CAT xx