First time SOA - Please be gentle. Am so worried.

SimIsOnTheUp

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Don't rely on it though. Through my work we regularly apply to the Severn Trent Trust for various things including BR fees and haven't had one application accepted yet.

Cheers for letting me know, so I don't go on false hope.

It's a ray of sunshine, just knowing that they *may* help though!

Thanks.

immoral_angeluk

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Cheers for letting me know, so I don't go on false hope.

It's a ray of sunshine, just knowing that they *may* help though!

Thanks.

Just out of interest which CAB is it you're going to?

Obviously feel free to tell me to bog off and keep my nose out if you don't want to say, only reason I ask I do work in areas covered by Severn Trent. lol

SimIsOnTheUp

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Your benefits seem lower than I'd expect, what phase of ESA are you in?

Id expect it to be (minimum)...
ESA - £65.45 pw if you're in the intial phase = £261.80 (4 weekly figure as I believe ESA is paid every 2 weeks similar to JSA?
Full Housing Benefit/Council Tax benefit - £353.12
= £614.92

Are you paying back any over payments/arrears, I may have missed that in the post...

Also, how long has you alcoholism etc been ongoing? If it's been longer than 6 months and affects your day to day life then it might be worth discussing with the CAB whether you may be able to claim DLA, especially on the mental health grounds more than anything.

Without looking at the benefit figures (and I won't today, as I spent all night Thursday / all day Friday going through them!) .. I'm not 100% of the HB / CTB, but the Council do pay my Council Tax in full.

They also pay full Housing Benefit, BUT they are deducting £5 per week / £20 per month before paying it to my Housing Association - this goes to repay my Housing Benefit Overpayment (£2,370.00)

I have asked the Council, if they'll consider reducing these repayments, as obviously, I'm having to find the £5 weekly shortfall from my ESA :cool:

My ESA is still the initial / assessment rate - was £128.60 per fortnight / so £257.20 per month - went up slightly on 23rd April (last ESA payment) to £129.75 per fortnight / £259.50 per month.

I had the dreaded ESA medical back in February, and they 'scored' me nil points

So, I'm not too optimistic regarding applying for DLA for mental health issues / alcoholism. I should though, and in response to your question regarding how long I've had these issues, it's been about 16 years, but especially difficult the past 10 years

SimIsOnTheUp

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Your benefits seem lower than I'd expect, what phase of ESA are you in?

Id expect it to be (minimum)...
ESA - £65.45 pw if you're in the intial phase = £261.80 (4 weekly figure as I believe ESA is paid every 2 weeks similar to JSA?
Full Housing Benefit/Council Tax benefit - £353.12
= £614.92

Are you paying back any over payments/arrears, I may have missed that in the post...

Also, how long has you alcoholism etc been ongoing? If it's been longer than 6 months and affects your day to day life then it might be worth discussing with the CAB whether you may be able to claim DLA, especially on the mental health grounds more than anything.

Just fished out Housing / Council Tax Benefit paperwork (oh the joys of now being organised..filing heaven!)

My HB = £74.49 per week - less Overpayment Recovery of £5.00 = Net Benefit Payable = £69.49 per week.

So HB = £277.96 per month. Does this sound right?

Council Tax Benefit = £13.79 per week. So = £55.16 per month.

SimIsOnTheUp

HappyMJ wrote: »

You have to go through CAB or CCCS to get it. They are low on funds (not surprising) but no harm in trying. They won't help with the unsecured lending but they'll pay the BR fee if you need it. You are eligible so don't worry about that bit.

Will give Severn Trent a go. Thanks.

immoral_angeluk

Failing the ESA medical means nothing.. just check out this report to see why..
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/policy_campaign_publications/evidence_reports/er_benefitsandtaxcredits/not_working
You should've appealled the decision and then gone to CAB for help. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing but depending on which bureau you go to they've got specialist benefits workers who can help you with the appeal and give you more chance of success. You should also provide as much information to back up your appeal as possible such as doctors statements.

SimIsOnTheUp

HamsterWheel wrote: »

Hiya sweetie

Didn't want to read and run so popped into offer my support

I am on a similar base to you but i live with an alcoholic, well an ex. or someone thats trying to deal with it anyway, we been together 6 months he had a couple of hiccups ended up on antibuse as realised he was losing too much of his life, he then weened himself off it and up until last weekend had done 19 weeks without a drop.,,, this may i add was after being a drinker for 20yrs, Then we had a family bbq and he asked me if he could have a drink. i cant stop him so said yes, he was fine, he enjoyed it, felt like !!!! the next day but wheras before he would reach for drink in the morning, he didnt just suffered and left it there, Before hand it would take him 2/3 days to prepare to stop. He didnt touch a drop all week then last night had a couple of cans and is fine today, maybe he has reached a turning point who knows but i will be there to support him,
He got a lots of support from CADS i dont know if they are in your area and also by talking to his doctor and making sure he got any meds he needed to help him,

Anyway. sorry i went on a bit there.. not like me...;)

Reagrding your incomings outgoings etc... have you thought about selling your iphone, i know you cant cancel your contract as mobile phone companies do hate us mere minions like that BUT you could get around £200 pounds for it which would pay for your contract for a few months and free up some money for other things

And groceries,, just get to the supermarket 20 mins before it closes and stock that freezer up for the month!

will be reading and wishing you well xx

Hiya HW,

Hope your other half is doing ok. It is flippin' hard, and that's possibly the biggest under - statement I've ever come out with

Haven't heard of CADS - what is it? I've contacted my local Substance Misuse Team, and am in touch with a Counsellor there. Due to see her again next Tuesday, which I'm looking forward to

Re selling my iPhone, in order to raise some cash, yes I'm considering it.

Am just at pains to do it, as over the past 18 months, I sold *3* other phones, and a laptop too, when I was in the grip of booze.. It makes me feel sick, just thinking of how crazy I got

I don't really want to sell anymore of my stuff, but will consider it.

Re the freezer, good plan, however I need to save up for a freezer first of all! :rotfl:

Thanks again,

Sim x

HamsterWheel_3

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Hiya HW,

Hope your other half is doing ok. It is flippin' hard, and that's possibly the biggest under - statement I've ever come out with

Haven't heard of CADS - what is it? I've contacted my local Substance Misuse Team, and am in touch with a Counsellor there. Due to see her again next Tuesday, which I'm looking forward to

Re selling my iPhone, in order to raise some cash, yes I'm considering it.

Am just at pains to do it, as over the past 18 months, I sold *3* other phones, and a laptop too, when I was in the grip of booze.. It makes me feel sick, just thinking of how crazy I got

I don't really want to sell anymore of my stuff, but will consider it.

Re the freezer, good plan, however I need to save up for a freezer first of all! :rotfl:

Thanks again,

Sim x

you welcome sweetie

get on https://www.freecycle.org its a site where you can sign up for your local area and offer things for free and state you want something too,,, ive had a good few freebies off there xx

CADS is community alcohol and drugs service, its like AA really a support group you can have 1-1's and group meetings confidence boosting and all ways of looking forward xx

SimIsOnTheUp

HappyMJ wrote: »

Yep that's right reading the report really it's just water arrears they'll help with. The average grant last year was £196.

Thanks.

I'm looking at my Severn Trent Water bill as we speak -

It comes in at £156.73 *due immediately* or *recovery action will follow*

I was on instalments, but due to falling behind, they've withdrawn the facility which is fair enough.

Do you think their Trust Fund would help with the Water bill then?

immoral_angeluk

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

They also pay full Housing Benefit, BUT they are deducting £5 per week / £20 per month before paying it to my Housing Association - this goes to repay my Housing Benefit Overpayment (£2,370.00)

If you went for a DRO bare in mind the HB overpayment would not be written off by the DRO for 12 months, as it is being taken from your benefit. After the 12 month 'moratorium' period though then the balance would be written off.

I have asked the Council, if they'll consider reducing these repayments, as obviously, I'm having to find the £5 weekly shortfall from my ESA :cool:

If I remember rightly the minimum they'll accept is £3 something a week.. may vary depending on the council though.

My ESA is still the initial / assessment rate - was £128.60 per fortnight / so £257.20 per month - went up slightly on 23rd April (last ESA payment) to £129.75 per fortnight / £259.50 per month.

Hmmmm.. it should be £65.45 every week.. so £130.90 every fortnight/£261.80 every 4 weeks.
Might be worth giving them a call.