Taking control of my life

Ames

Woohoo just had a read receipt from my MP.

dancingfairy

Ahhhh I see - to be honest any help I can get is great - just doesn't seem right that I can't get help on JSA and have to be signed off before I can get help to get a job. Madness.
I guess it's very difficult to distinguish between those with mental health issues that really want a job but are struggling with forms, interviews, new environments, etc and those that are just trying to avoid having to work.
I can see that it causes extra stress though.
df

Ames

I know, the system is crazy. It's like people on JSA not being able to get help with courses until they've been on it for 6 months, and 6 months being the cut off point for contribution based JSA!

dancingfairy

No it's not that I don't want to apply - I have no knowledge of the benefits system and how it works (or should do) I just assumed because I was looking for a job that I should get jobseekers. It's only just been mentioned today as I decided to ask to see a health adviser. I got told ESA is the same rate as JSA? It just seems silly I have to see my doctor and get signed off before I can get help and support to get and keep a job.
I think it's just my lack of awareness of the benefits system -I am going to discuss it with the doctor next week and will research it a bit on the internet.

OOOh hope the MP gets back to you soon.
df

Am off now but will catch up with your progress from the MP in the morning.

Ames

It might be worth asking on the benefits board on here, there's loads of experience there. I could be wrong about ESA being more, but I thought it was around £80 a week, it could be the other part of it though.

ZTD

Ames wrote: »

From reading the codes of ethics and practice it seems I could have got the social worker in deep doo doo. (damn the filter!). I feel bad for her, but then again if it leads to a better service for other people then I shouldn't feel too bad. The lying on assessments is a big no no it seems.

Yep - leads to tremendous legal liability on behalf of their employers when things go wrong. Which in Social Services is just about inevitable.

Besides - what are they paying her for? If they want random, made-up answers - there are computers which can do that.

Ames

I thought computers were always logical?

ZTD

Ames wrote: »

I thought computers were always logical?

Computers do random stuff, from one source or another - after all, where would premium bonds be without ERNIE?

Ames

True, I hadn't thought of that.

I'll have to wait and see what happens.

I've also got a Notice to Owner through the post today about a parking fine. I've written to them quoting the law that shows I was entitled to park there, and case law backing me up, but they're still not backing down. Bring it on!

dancingfairy

Any news from Councillor yet?
df