It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

mardatha

We complained once and got an apology. My OH had to sign on - he wasnt eligible for any money but needed his stamp paying - and a snippy little madam was so nasty that he walked out. I phoned to complain and got sent a form to complain on. He was over 50, had never been to a job centre for years & years, and didnt know anything about the computers or what to do. I said in the form that our ferrets were much better mannered than that woman and would do the job better. made me feel much better LOL!

mardatha

Eliza, I absolutely agree re heavy manual work. All the jobs I had were like that and it was seriously not funny tryng to keep going. I sometimes think thats why I got ME - because I was trying too hard to keep going when I couldnt. I really feel for you and hope something turns up for you pet. Its not easy and younger folk at work dont understand but often just make jokes about it. xxx

maccanut

I to have been lurking and reading all the posts we are in not a great position as dh recieves dla and now he to is worrying that they will say you have to finda job,which he can't as now in a wheelchair and has mega problems,i had to give up job to care for him and was requested to go for interview,in which they told me all i would recive was 97p because dh has little pension of £64 a month, have to pay bills no help and also growing ds, so im trying to os as much as poss not easy , i think all you girls are great and not for getting the boys,

blessings
abigail:(

elizabunny

On a lighter note, I received a FREE Tea Bag through the post today. Now that's just what I needed!:D

Thank you mardatha for your very kind words. I don't usually rant so much.

Larumbelle

I really do sympathise with those of you struggling on benefits (or struggling to get them). That's the problem with VAT - the impact it has on those on benefits is greater than people with more money, I know those middle class bleaters are saying it'll hurt them more because they buy more, but frankly they've got a lot more room for manoeuvre!!!

If you buy second hand goods by private sale there is no VAT, but buying through a VAT registered business there will be. The one way to guarantee no VAT on VAT-able items is to buy from small local businesses under the VAT threshold...

[STRIKE]or pay a dodgy business in cash off the books[/STRIKE].

mardatha

Frame that teabag! You dont get many things free ! LOL

nuttybabe

silvercharming wrote: »

I really do sympathise with those of you struggling on benefits (or struggling to get them). That's the problem with VAT - the impact it has on those on benefits is greater than people with more money, I know those middle class bleaters are saying it'll hurt them more because they buy more, but frankly they've got a lot more room for manoeuvre!!!

This is not always the case. My dh gets a 'middle income' and after paying rent and council tax we have less of his pay for other bills than my friend on benifits receives (NOT including the free house and no council tax to pay). We discussed this today and she was really shocked at how little money we actually have compared to her!!

Hardup_Hester

Whem my mother was diagnosed with cancer & had to leave work, it took the benfits office 6 weeks to sort out what she was entitled to, she'd been a careworker so was not well paid. I sent her money when I could to tide her over, she's visited the office & rung them numerous times & was eventually shouted at by whoever was dealing with her claim for being a nuisance and told they could bury her claim & would do if she phoned again. She was then too scared to contact them.
I finally got involved, got the name of her contact there, got the name of the manager, got through to him by dint of threatening him with the local & national papers. I explained the situation to him calmly & clearly, explained that my mother was penniless & hungry, was terminally ill & had been abused by a mamber of his staff. I explained that I had reporters gagging to interview my mother, who, by the way, had worked from when she was 18 until she was 59. He was full of apologies & sorted out the problem, I was then able to phone my mother & tell her to look out for a motorcycle courier who was on his way round to her with the money she was owed, the couried arrived within 30 minutes with the money & a bouquet of flowers.
All this was 20 years ago now, but I still get a great deal of satisfaction from it.

lauren_1

It took 4 and a half months to sort out my income support, I was signed off ill for 2 months and had to claim the ssp from the job center (as i earnt too little according to my previous employer, its never materialised) i was let go by my previous employer in between sick notes so in effect had nothing for nearly 7 months.

This has a catastrophic effect on my finances, eventually fell behind on everything and am currently facing bankruptcy, i'l never be able to catch up :eek:

Larumbelle

nuttybabe wrote: »

This is not always the case. My dh gets a 'middle income' and after paying rent and council tax we have less of his pay for other bills than my friend on benifits receives (NOT including the free house and no council tax to pay). We discussed this today and she was really shocked at how little money we actually have compared to her!!

I was simply making the point that people with lower incomes have less wiggle room to absorb the impact of raised prices. I know individuals on benefits who get masses in benefits, but they are a tiny minority. And the majority of people on benefits cannot do anything to change their circumstances.