need some advice from someone who knows thier way around the system

moneysavernoob

Hey all
I want to moan about how unfiar it is for scroungers to get benefit and not me- I know this isn't the thread.

As it currently stands I am entitled to no benefits. Work have just lowered our hours for a five week trial, if this continues I will be entitled to a little working tax credit and housing benefit. I have to wait until I know what's happening before I put in a claim, I also have to wait until I get a revised payslip (as the ammeneded hours won't be correct for two months).

Now here is my question. I suffer with anxiety and depression, which makes working a full time difficult. I want to carry on working but only part time and not nessercerely the same job. If I work PT- can I claim DLA? I don't think I can.
Also if I work part time, what benefits would I be entitled to, I have looked but the information isn't very clear.
If I am working part time, do they work out the benefits to top up you earnings to the national average?

It frustrates me, that a local who was in the paper recieves 800 a month in benefits, has never worked and has a 70 a week cannabis habit. I am working full time with depression and I only earn £50 a month more than this after tax.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreicated!

Muttleythefrog

You could get DLA.... it isn't means tested and working status is irrelevant unless it conflicts with claims you make for why you need it. With mental health problems it would be helpful if you have supportive medical professionals or GP who could verify how you are affected day to day in terms of care and mobility needs.

Might be worth putting some scenarios into a benefits checker. http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Mojisola

Lots of people who claim DLA work full-time.

Ask if your local council has Welfare Advisors. They will help you make any claims you are entitled to.

[Deleted User]

Mojisola wrote: »

Lots of people who claim DLA work full-time.

Ask if your local council has Welfare Advisors. They will help you make any claims you are entitled to.

On the flip side of that many people suffer depression and anxiety and still manage to work and not claim anything!

I never understand this I have for the best part of 3 Years suffered depression and had the most debilitating panic attacks, yet how would getting extra money help this?? It wouldn't make my depression go away, nor stop the anxiety or panic attacks.

When I was really bad and my GP wanted to sign me off work I always refused, cause I would be more depressed sitting at home thinking about it than at work having a distraction. I guess I was lucky to have a sympathetic boss who understood sometimes I'd need to take 5 minutes in the back office for a good sob, compose myself and get back to work.
My anxiety usually flares up when doing something/going somewhere different and same with panic attacks... in fact last one I had which was so severe I actually fainted happened on an Aeroplane going on holiday!!
I'll just add that I reccomend Cognitive Behaviour Therepy as an amazing treatment. I have been off my Anti depressents for nearly 3 Months and I'm feeling on top of the World and I'm managing to control the anxiety with the techniques I learned through CBT. I attended a function in another city last weekend, with a group of people I hadn't met before, totally unfamiliar surroundings and it was fine (I couldn't even have thought about doing anything like that last Year) Be positive and seek proper Medical help cause I am proof you can beat this xxx :T

Mojisola

Deleted_User wrote: »

On the flip side of that many people suffer depression and anxiety and still manage to work and not claim anything!

I never understand this I have for the best part of 3 Years suffered depression and had the most debilitating panic attacks, yet how would getting extra money help this?? It wouldn't make my depression go away, nor stop the anxiety or panic attacks.

When I was really bad and my GP wanted to sign me off work I always refused, cause I would be more depressed sitting at home thinking about it than at work having a distraction. I guess I was lucky to have a sympathetic boss who understood sometimes I'd need to take 5 minutes in the back office for a good sob, compose myself and get back to work.
My anxiety usually flares up when doing something/going somewhere different and same with panic attacks... in fact last one I had which was so severe I actually fainted happened on an Aeroplane going on holiday!!
I'll just add that I reccomend Cognitive Behaviour Therepy as an amazing treatment. I have been off my Anti depressents for nearly 3 Months and I'm feeling on top of the World and I'm managing to control the anxiety with the techniques I learned through CBT. I attended a function in another city last weekend, with a group of people I hadn't met before, totally unfamiliar surroundings and it was fine (I couldn't even have thought about doing anything like that last Year) Be positive and seek proper Medical help cause I am proof you can beat this xxx :T

Well, if you'd been claiming DLA you could have paid privately to get CBT or any other useful therapy.

The money could have been used to take a taxi home after having an attack instead of having to cope with public transport. It could have been used to pay someone to go with you to a potentially stressful situation so that you would know there was someone to help if you needed it.

Good for you for coping without claiming anything but people are different and some can cope with things that others can't. It's not easy to get benefits so, if someone is awarded DLA, the chances are that they are entitled.

Muttleythefrog

Deleted_User wrote: »

I never understand this I have for the best part of 3 Years suffered depression and had the most debilitating panic attacks, yet how would getting extra money help this?? It wouldn't make my depression go away, nor stop the anxiety or panic attacks.

Well DLA could be used in a variety of ways. You seem to have had a good experience with seeking medical help - drugs work and you got therapy. But NHS services are very hit and miss... I got private counselling within hours of my former employer suggesting it (ironically the NHS!) but on NHS it took me a year of referrals to be assessed for the over 1 year waiting list... I was turned down anyway and no treatments are available for me on the NHS now. DLA could be used to get a proper diagnosis from a psychiatrist (rather than fighting for years to get same from NHS as I've had to do) and potentially treatment.. but its main aim is to restore basic functions that may otherwise not be viable. If you can't get out of bed or don't get washed, can't go shopping, have panic attacks etc then having someone there to give encouragement and supervision may be invaluable... it may even make working realistic and sustainable. Depends on the individual circumstances I suppose. I've got more chance of improving my mental health through getting DLA than banging my head against the wall with the NHS... sad though that reality is many will be in the same boat.

moneysavernoob

Hey all.

I know that money wouldnt help with my symptons. but if I can work reduced hours and get DLA, this will help my symptons. Basically I cant work 8hours days, 6hours are fine, but just just 8. Also due to my current financial climate i cant afford my prescription, this cash would help with that. I alos cant afford to see a dentist- this will help too.

I will look into DLA, I thouhgt you had to be unemployed to get it.
LOL at muttletthefrog - NHS are a pain!

im mainly over my anxiety, but my depression rules my life, If i can work less hours and sort myself out i will be esstacic!

I have also turned my docotr down the last couple of time, if I go sick again i get sacked.

I assume all other benefits are standard.

Thanks for the replies, its given me a glimmer of hope