Is the Benefitsandwork.co.uk web site any good

luminated

Just found this web site on a Google search. It looks like you need to pay £19.45 for an annual subscription. Does anyone have any views - good or bad on whether it is worth spending this sort of money?

I am asking as I am considering making claims for ESA and DLA. After reading lots of information it would seem I need to be really well prepared.

melbury

Someone I work with subscribed to this as she wanted to claim DLA. She spent absolutely ages (months) drafting and redrafting the form, wrote reams and got turned down. She then appealed and went to tribunal and got turned down again.

So is it worth it and does it really make any difference?

allen35

I have heard it's a good website, i receive their emails which give restricted access to certain areas.

If you click the link this will provide you with the descriptors for ESA

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_esadescriptorshome#changes

and this one for information a-z of benefits

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_benaz?opendocument

If applying for either may be best to seek advice for assistance with form filling but do gather as much medical evidence as you can especially for DLA.

DX2

luminated wrote: »

Just found this web site on a Google search. It looks like you need to pay £19.45 for an annual subscription. Does anyone have any views - good or bad on whether it is worth spending this sort of money?

I am asking as I am considering making claims for ESA and DLA. After reading lots of information it would seem I need to be really well prepared.

An appointment with the CAB is free.

luminated

DX2 wrote: »

An appointment with the CAB is free.

I have seen the disability benefits advisor at the Job Centre who has said my next move is to make an appointment at the CAB. This I will do tomorrow as well as sending for the claim pack for DLA.

I will also see my GP before the end of this week to discuss with him to make sure I should get his support as and when I need it.

dseventy

You are far better asking for free advice here, or going to CAB, or to a charity specialising in disabilities before paying money for it.

D70

System

There is free info available so its expensive when you consider that (though i did have membership but was kind of put off by some of the emails which came across as scaremongering)

angelaloveschocolate

A relative of mine used CAB and was advised that they had a straightforward claim, but the claim were rejected (DLA). They then subscribed to this website and success. They reccomend this site, just thought you'd want to hear that it has worked for someone.

harry7075

I believe it;s ran by a former employee of the D.W.P.

From what I have seen of the site, which is very little admittedly, it seems "full" of people who moan constantly about their aliments and insist they lay almost all day in a vegative state. However they seem to spend an awful lot of time posting comments about their numerous experiences dealing with ATOS and the D.W.P.

luminated

Wow thank you all so much and despite the odd good feedback I will stick to this board and the CAB.

I will update as and when I have success or lack of it. If I fail I will sue every single one of you:eek: (only joking)

luminated

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

it's not fair to the genuine new members & probably puts alot of them off coming back.

I AM a new member and feel concerned the weaker new members may be put off this board. HOWEVER I AM getting great advice on here and am finding the trolling adds a little bit of amusement. Or perhaps I shouldn't admit that:eek: