***Triffic Tuesday 8th Sept Chat

Ames

Luc - I know exactly how you feel. One of the reasons I wouldn't go to the Borderline Personality Disorder self help groups was that I just didn't feel strong enough to deal with other people's problems, I didn't want them to affect me or for me to end up not being able to help them.

Tenmah, she can put another claim in for DLA, if her condition's got worse since she last applied. In the meantime get a welfare rights officer, from CABor DIAL or somewhere to see if the tribunal made an error of law so that she can appeal higher. Did you have any help or support with the claim? It really does make a big difference, the advisors know the 'buzz words' to use on the form, for instance most people would put pain and think that was the worst word for it, when actually the DWP think discomfort is worse than pain - but how many people would know that? It's a real minefield.

I've had a good afternoon, met with my mental health outreach support worker, had a coffee and a chat, we're still getting to know each other to start with then we can start working on things, I need to think of things to work on with her though! She's said she'll be at my next social services assessment which is great, I just want a witness this time. I think when the social worker gets in touch I'll give her Ruth's number and tell them to arrange a time and I'll fit in with it, otherwise it'll be a nightmare being the go between sorting out a time that's good for them.

Now I've got ex here cooking pasta for me (the only thing he's good at!), but he's got excuses for all the tidying up I wanted him to do. Ok so 'it's raining' is acceptable for not putting the tent out to dry, I suppose... Got him to do some lifting and carrying though, which is good. Speaking of which, I'm off to pm Becky and Linda now.

tenmah

becky_rtw wrote: »

Tenmah - that is completely pants for your daughter - can she re-apply at a later stage?? Or go for ESA??

I think she can re-apply but is feeling a bit disillusioned at the moment! She is working two days a week already so I think that would rule out ESA.

She has applied for JSA but as usual something has gone wrong with her application and she has now been waiting 12 weeks for any money!

tenmah

Ames wrote: »

Tenmah, she can put another claim in for DLA, if her condition's got worse since she last applied. In the meantime get a welfare rights officer, from CABor DIAL or somewhere to see if the tribunal made an error of law so that she can appeal higher. Did you have any help or support with the claim? It really does make a big difference, the advisors know the 'buzz words' to use on the form, for instance most people would put pain and think that was the worst word for it, when actually the DWP think discomfort is worse than pain - but how many people would know that? It's a real minefield.

.

Thanks Ames - that is interesting to know!

We did have a lady from CAB hep us, but all she really did was to contact various medical people that my daughter had visited to ask for letters from them - which we could have done ourselves if we had realised that was all she was doing!.

becky_rtw

I agree with Ames - contact DIAL if you haven't already - they are supposed to be great!

Here you go:
http://www.dialuk.info/findadial/index.asp

Ames

Yeah, CAB can be hit and miss for benefits advice. I've heard some shocking stories, and some great ones. DIAL are brilliant though, and somewhere on the Community Legal Services website there's a list of organisations that can help. When she gets round to reapplying let me know and I can offer you some much more practical help. I understand it might take her a while to get round to it, it's a really draining process. But it's worth it, even the lowest amount is £17 a week.

tenmah

becky_rtw wrote: »

I agree with Ames - contact DIAL if you haven't already - they are supposed to be great!

Here you go:
http://www.dialuk.info/findadial/index.asp

Thanks Becky - that's great!

tenmah

Ames wrote: »

Yeah, CAB can be hit and miss for benefits advice. I've heard some shocking stories, and some great ones. DIAL are brilliant though, and somewhere on the Community Legal Services website there's a list of organisations that can help. When she gets round to reapplying let me know and I can offer you some much more practical help. I understand it might take her a while to get round to it, it's a really draining process. But it's worth it, even the lowest amount is £17 a week.

Thank you Ames, that is very kind of you

beanielou

I know quite a wee bit about DLA Tenham & I have quite a good success rate.
Whowever supported you with your appeal would need as much medical evidance as possible for the tribunial.
If you need any further help please just ask.

beanielou

But your CAB person would also write the submission for the tribunial?

tenmah

beanielou wrote: »

I know quite a wee bit about DLA Tenham & I have quite a good success rate.
Whowever supported you with your appeal would need as much medical evidance as possible for the tribunial.
If you need any further help please just ask.

Thank you Beanie. It would have been nice if she could have advised us what we needed to put on the form though, as well as gathering the evidence.

If my daughter reapplies, would she need to obtain new evidence from the medical profession or would the existing do? She hasn't seen most of them since her initial application because they were who she was seeing when she was in Canterbury (Uni) and doesn't really want to hassle them again, when there isn't anything further they can add?