Fibromyalgia

Careful_with_that_Axe

s/e, you are the person to ask about the benefits. I wonder if you may have had to jump through a few hoops and fight a few battles to know the info?

somebody_else

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

s/e, you are the person to ask about the benefits. I wonder if you may have had to jump through a few hoops and fight a few battles to know the info?

Erm, yes. In a lot of cases I found out the hard way about things. I'm always happy to share that information if it'll save someone having to go through the same aggro.

Wanna f'rinstance?

After I thought I'd recovered from the brain haemorrhage, I went to sign on at the job centre in preparation for returning to work. I was told that if I restricted the type of work and hours that I was prepared to work, my benefits would be stopped. Not a bluddy word was said about claiming DLA, Working Tax Credit or anything else. If I'd had that information 4, 5 years ago, I very likely wouldn't be in the state I'm in now.

When I'm well enough, I intend to offer my services to the CAB - I've gained a huge amount of information over the years (plus I've worked in a couple of places that have given me insight into how certain parts of the caring sectors work), and if I can prevent someone having to go through what I've been through in the past, I'm bluddy well going to do it.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Good for you!
They do seem to make it incredibly hard. I'm not sure if this is incompetence or a policy.

somebody_else

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Good for you!
They do seem to make it incredibly hard. I'm not sure if this is incompetence or a policy.

Having come across one or two very helpful Benefits Advisors, I think it's lack of knowledge more than anything else. Obviously, there are always those who act as if it's their personal savings that they're handing out, and then there are the judgemental ones who think all benefit claimants are !!!!less and lazy, but generally I think they're overworked, underpaid (I've seen the payscales, they won't get rich on what they're earning) and, frequently, under trained.

somebody_else

Since when has f e c k l e s s been a swear word?

Careful_with_that_Axe

LOL! Of course, you've never seen a TV programme called Father Ted? It's the Irish word for f***. *grin*

somebody_else

Yeah, but, yeah, but...

I could understand if I'd only used the first 4 letters, but I was using a perfectly legitimate word.

OneBrightStar

I also suffer from hypothyroidism and adrenals issues and trying to recover

http://www.thyroidhelp.org is the forum dedicated to all thyroid related issues so anyone looking to resolve their symptoms can join in

bigzippy

I'm with you S/e, but... teacher says... :rolleyes:

Cwta wrote:

Well done BZ for cooking - you seem to have been doing it every night for a while. Don't overtire yourself. The videos sound like my worst nightmares.
Way above my itellectual capacity

Ta very much. I have indeed. I think it's cos I've been cooped up in [STRIKE]the[/STRIKE] a house (lack of transport etc). :rolleyes: To be fair I've not done an awful lot of prep work which I think can be the most tiring cos then you haven't got whatever it takes to keep checking back on it or standing there stirring etc.
Kung Fu Panda's quite cool, but not the best animated feature length I've ever seen... Garfield 2 really wouldn't be everyone's cuppa tea, but it was less annoying to ignore than Horrible Henry while I was checking in with you guys
I can see how it may be waaay over your head though Cwta

Pcl wrote:

bz glad the pasta bake was enjoyed, at least by one kid.

And my sister! She looked well appreciative that there was some left for her to warm up before she skutched (technical term ) off with the kids to see her MIL for her bday halfway between my house and theirs! I think we're all wandering nomads at the minute!

Somebody_else wrote:

That's not strictly true. You're only eligible for a tax exemption if the car is used soley for the benefit of the recipient of the DLA. So if you had a family/partner who also used the car for their own purposes, you wouldn't be eligible for the tax exemption.

My bad. You're right, I forgot to mention that bit. I know people who do tax their cars and they're used by others and they run the risk and so far haven't been caught. But I also know that my dad won't do it on the basis that it would be just his luck if mum happened to be driving the car and someone checked into it. Very very unlikely, but if it did then there would be a fine and I suspect it might affect future claims..?

bigzippy

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

OK, who hid my glasses? This is getting beyond a joke. Are you lot sneaking in when I'm not looking and moving things? Or maybe it's Santa's elves?

Ok... I own up... it was me. :whistle: Nobody tell her though, eh? :shhh:

Cwta wrote:

Have to meet Dad for lunch tomorrow for the first time since our big bust up, so that's gonna be nice and relaxing (not).

Good luck with that Cwta. Deep breaths and "let's change the subject" if necessary

Cwta wrote:

Can you tell I'm trying to put off the counting? It is boring and makes my hands smell funny!
But if I do it in bits, my hands won't hurt. Oh gawd, here I go.

Puh. You're such a staller! Get on with it woman!