I've been made redundant

Numpty_Monkey

Can't beat a giggle to start your day :rotfl:

I must edit first post, and put something in about claiming HB and CTB
go straight to the housing benefits office, don't rely on the joke centre plus to do it right:rolleyes::mad:

savingholmes

Numpty_Monkey wrote: »

Can't beat a giggle to start your day :rotfl:

I must edit first post, and put something in about claiming HB and CTB
go straight to the housing benefits office, don't rely on the joke centre plus to do it right:rolleyes::mad:

Your not wrong there mate - I was talking to someone yesterday and they seemed to have been speaking to someone who deliberately told everyone they were not entitled to stuff they were in order to keep costs down. My advice - check what you are entitled to on the net - print it and take it with you to appointments and ask for it!

ceridwen

I do seem to recall reading years ago that it was policy not to tell claimants the full range of benefits they might be entitled to - basically in the hope that they would never find out. But - of course - that WAS years and years ago now and that policy may have changed on the one hand. On the other hand there seems to be a lot less benefits than there was back in my time. I recall my benefit was made up of:
- personal benefit
- rent
- heating allowance
- water allowance
- money for maintenance and insurance of my home (if I owned it)
- some help with NHS costs if required (eg free prescriptions)

Water allowance has gone, heating allowance has gone and I cant find any trace of an allowance for maintenance/insurance of one's home any more (so it may be that that has been cut too).

I certainly found that I needed to check the figures myself - as I was quite clearly told by the D.H.S.S. (as they used to be) that I was entitled to personal allowance only. They didnt even mention that my rent would be paid. I wasnt sure whether it was someone who didnt know their job or was deliberately not telling me - as it was obvious from my form that I was single and living on my own in rented accommodation - then I think it probably was deliberate withholding of information.

At that time there was an element of the D.H.S.S. (as was) still continuing to pay benefit for the first couple of weeks or so when one restarted work (since cut I believe). Of course they didnt mention that either - and I didnt find out about it until too late - so I lost that money:mad: (I had just naively assumed that they paid me up till my last day of unemployment and my new employer paid me from the day after that - and hadnt realised I could get paid by both for that time.) But do please bear in mind that I dont think that happens any more - I think it was one of the cuts made shortly after that.

I dont know whether this policy that certainly DID exist (and may still do) is something that was meant to be applied wholesale - or just to those that were deemed to look like "career claimants" (if that was the case - then that officer wasnt much good at their job then - as I looked and sounded like a card-carrying member of the Conservative Party...........definitely NOT a "career claimant")

Numpty_Monkey

Re submitted Housing benefit forms, and backdated claim form, see if that works:mad:


If not anyone got a spare tent

Horace

Yes Numpty, I have a spare tent.

I can see no reason why you won't be able to get HB or even CTB.

Numpty_Monkey

It could be a case of we lost your forms, the computer says no, tough

thanks for the tent:A

ceridwen

Hi Numpty

...a thought just occurred to me.....I seem to recall that access to some public facilities is free for those on benefits?? Worth checking out whats what in your area for that....maybe you might be able to get into things like local swimming baths/Council-run sports centres or summat for free?? Might as well at least see what enjoyable activities there are out there for free.....

There's often various courses around that are free for those on benefits as well - maybe leisure activities ones? maybe ones useful in getting a new job? Worth asking....

Could be the main task for today perhaps? - ie visit local Council offices and any local Further Education College that you have nearby and asking them about this..:D

EDITED: 'Morning Numpty....see you're on line now. <waves>

Numpty_Monkey

Thanks for that ceridwen, from previous expierence, you need to really check out the training courses offered by job centres. I ain't doing a full weeks work for£1.20 and hour which happened last time:eek:

Anyway sign on day for me again:o

savingholmes

Hi Numpty hope you are okay. My job centre say they pay up to 30 travel to work interviews (but only give out 1 form at a time LOL).... I told them I had more faith I would get a job and interviews than they did! Signed on yesterday and have to go back TODAY - can't believe it! I did have an interview yesterday and have 2 more for next week so there are still jobs out there....

I hope things improve for you soon Numpty - if there is anything more I can do to help feel free to send me a message....

Lula-Hula

Numpty_Monkey wrote: »

Re submitted Housing benefit forms, and backdated claim form, see if that works:mad:


If not anyone got a spare tent

I have 2 spare tents & a shed but dont worry, I'm sure it wont come to that

I think after being signed on for 6 months you get to go on various training courses ... a mate is trying to become a carpenter but they wont let anyone do any type of building / construction courses round here :rolleyes: