No Income and apparently not entitled to Benefits, what can I do?

qwertyuiop12345

rierie81 wrote: »

I broke my leg in January.

Yikes! You broke your leg a year ago and it is still not better? What are the doctors doing to you?? :eek: Have you considered asking for occupational therapy or perhaps counselling as you have fears associated with your accident. If your recovery isn't going as planned there may be other things available if you ask (eg. pain management, hydrotherapy etc.) Make sure that your GP is aware of your ongoing problems as it is easy to be forgotten about if you are referred around from hospital to consultant to physio etc.

With regard to your ESA claim, it seems many people have their claims refused but then are allowed at appeal, so don't give up yet.

rierie81

Dunners wrote: »

Why do you appear to need so much help for one bad leg?!

I would have thought that if you'd been on crutches since last January you'd be perfectly used to using them by now!

You've assumed I've been on crutches since last January, I broke my tibia and fibula in January and had an operation, it wasn't until June that I was out of my cast and off my walking frame onto crutches, physio have been working on straightening my leg and even thought the Dr. said I could bare full weight, I couldn't due to the position of my leg. My leg has only recently (October) been in a position to bear full weight and physio have been working on building the muscles up and trying to get me just using one crutch rather than 2.

dmg24

qwertyuiop12345 wrote: »

With regard to your ESA claim, it seems many people have their claims refused but then are allowed at appeal, so don't give up yet.

Not for a broken leg - if you read up on the criteria you will see why, a broken leg does not stop the claimant doing enough work related activities to qualify.

rierie81

The reason I am appealing is because I got 0 points, I even got 0 points for things I wasn't even asked whether I could do or not, so unless they have psychic assessors the outcome is incorrect, if after the appeal I still get less than 15, but more than 0 I'll be happier with that outcome and I might even be given some help, but while I have no benefits or income or anything I'm alone with no help from anywhere.
I can't even make an appointment with my local CAB because I apparently live close enough to just be able to turn up every day until I'm seen.

Dunners

This might be of use

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ch42-23312.pdf

I agree with dmg that you appear to have little hope of winning an appeal, especially considering that you say your leg is now in a position to bear full weight.

As said originally, your best bet would be to look at what you can do, not what you can't. Job-wise, you might better going back to the frame to get about for work - a lot more stability.

Also don't forget that many employers now have to provide the environment/facilities for disabled people in the workplace Disability Discrimination Act so you should have no problems there.

Fire_Fox

rierie81 wrote: »

Yeah I ONLY have a problem with my leg where I'm using crutches and scared to go out anywhere alone.
I'm still having physio treatment from the hospital because my leg can't bend or straighten completely.
My employer hasn't yet terminated my contract, but I have a meeting on Friday when they will discuss it, as my Dr. has said I can't work, that's why I have a sick note and am unable to work.
I live a bus ride away from the nearest town and I have no income which means no bus fare, I can't use stairs, which means I can't go to the toilet in the majority of places I would be able to reach if I had an escort to help me.
Which is why I was asking for help, not someone just saying oh you're fine go and do a job.
I can't carry things as I have my hands full with my crutches, I can't kneel or squat, I can't walk without difficulty and I can't go anywhere without someone I trust.

I haven't been given anything from ESA except one payment, because they keep saying I need to provide medical evidence, which I have done 3 times and yes it was after the medical assessment, where they decided I could kneel, squat and go out alone without even asking me if i could, which is why I am appealing.

Nobody is saying it's easy for the most able-bodied person to get a job, but it is pretty easy to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance: they used to allow some people to sign by post and likely still do so. You are able to specify what sort of roles you are willing/ able to undertake, I am sure a letter from your GP or physiotherapist would help explain your limitations. I came off incapacity onto JSA a few years ago and they were very pretty understanding. Most jobs can be applied for by a combination of telephone, internet and post - clearly you can't be expected to traipse the streets with copies of your CV.

Your fear of going out alone is completely understandable, but it's a separate issue from your leg injury. Is your doctor aware of your fears and is that being addressed? Have you thought about getting hold of a running backpack to carry any bits and bobs? Running packs are designed to fit very securely to the body rather than bob up and down and tip you off balance. If you only need some keys, money and a phone, a bumbag can be really helpful.

Any larger organisation should have a clear policy in place to ensure any person with a disability is given help when attending interviews or work. In your case you might travel in a taxi (using the JSA money) and ask for an escort to and from the interview room. You might feel this will prejudice your chances, it shouldn't but if it does at least you are genuinely searching for suitable work and thus eligible for benefits.

sharski

Unfortunately, you are not able to claim JSA if you are still employed, even if you have failed the ESA medical....

dmg24

rierie81 wrote: »

The reason I am appealing is because I got 0 points, I even got 0 points for things I wasn't even asked whether I could do or not, so unless they have psychic assessors the outcome is incorrect, if after the appeal I still get less than 15, but more than 0 I'll be happier with that outcome and I might even be given some help, but while I have no benefits or income or anything I'm alone with no help from anywhere.
I can't even make an appointment with my local CAB because I apparently live close enough to just be able to turn up every day until I'm seen.

The medical professional will not ask the questions exactly as they are written in the descriptors. They will have the experience to ask less obvious questions, and pull the information that they need from the answers you give. Getting a score between 0 and 14 will not change anything, so it seems a great deal of stress to put yourself to.

You need to look at practical measures to get you back into the workplace.

lewt

rierie81 wrote: »

It would depend what the work was, if I had to sit for long periods or stand for long periods then no, especially the standing, as I can only stand for roughly 10 minutes before my leg hurts.
If I had to push, pull or carry anything I wouldn't be able to do it either.
I know my typing speed is too slow for office jobs and there are no call centres anywhere local to me.
It would also depend on the location of the staff toilets, as I know the majority of places near me have all staff facilities upstairs with no lift or ramp access.
But I don't know anyone who can get me to work, so it's irrelevant anyway.

Sounds like you should go for DLA.

tbh though it also sounds like you dont want to work and are coming across as making every excuse under the sun not to, how do you know what the majority of places near you do for toliets at work? there so much more that makes it sound like that too.

whatever happens i hope your leg gets better.

sorry if that sounds harsh but its how i have read your posts and maybe how the job centre has understood too.

milliebear00001

Hello there

My husband has been through the process of applying for disability and incapacity benefits and I recognise how hard it is - especially when you appear stuc between a rock and a hard place such as yourself. The advice here is sound though - you need oney to live on. You are unliely to get your ESA application overturned on appeal. You SHOULD be claimingd JSA. I know you are of the opinion that you can't wor, but there is a limited number of jobs you can do. It will be difficult to find one, but your best option is to claim JSA and try. At least that way you have a secure income, albeit a small one.