Feel like crying + UPDATE

charlies_mum

Hi Sammy,

Great news, glad things are looking up a bit. Chin up, maybe your luck is changing

xx

janeawej

I think you are doing wonderfully well and little ben is lucky to have you for his mum. I think you need to get everyone you can onto your case, in my experience its surpirising what difference it can make, when i worked for the local education authority i would sonetimes speak to the benefit office ect for people and surprise surprise when asked by someone else they would often actualy get into action! I once managed to get someone rehoused the next week when he had been trying himself for 3 yrs! have you been in touch with your healthvisitor? she may be able to help, also as you are caring for your bf you are entitled to a carers assessment from a social worker form your local social services, ask also for an occupational therapy assessment for him as now he has lost his sight he should be entitled to this, you also may be able to claim carers allowance, only about £40 a week but usefull! try the RNIB and any other charity dealing with people with visual impairment, get as many professionals as you can on your case, it seems that sometimes they are listened to when you arnt. take care and i hope things get better soon, jane

lil_me

Great news Sam, especially about the hearing test. Great news about the washer. I am sure MIL will help towards the electric if she needs you to do her washin. Keep on at them about the tax credits, seriously welfare rights can give them a good nudge sometimes, my friends SS claim was taking ages so I called them for her and it was sorted within days when they previously said would be months!

Erosgirl

Hello Sam, I would like to say my husband is registered blind and he claims DLA. I can't remember if you are working, but if you are not you can also claim carer's allowance. You can still claim a certain amount if you are working. Also if you are not working you can claim carer's allowance. If you are on a benefit yourself, like me - incapacity benefit - although you can't claim care'rs allowance because of your payment, you are still entitled to underlying carer's allowance which makes a difference to your weekly rent and council tax. Don't know if any of this information will be of any help for you, but good luck for the future.

jenchin66

I second what Erosgirl says, your bf should be able to claim for DLA

HariboJunkie

Just to say....I really admire your courage in dealing with all this. Keep your chin up.

lil_me

As long as he's been effected for 3 months and is expected to be the same for a further 6 worth applying, the worst they can say is no

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/medical/dla.asp

competitionscafe

katieowl wrote:

Hope things improve for you soon.....I'm having a bad month myself

Same here - but it will be 1st February in 9 minutes - I vote we make this the new New Year this year!

Mado

Sammy,

Don't want to be suggesting silly things but you could you find an additional part-time job as "nanny".
The reason I am suggesting this is that in my area, there is a desperate shortage of after school nannies, a "job" that could be done with Ben, and as you sound like a level headed Mum, there could be takers.

ampersand

Toxic_Lemon wrote:

Sammy - do you collect Pigsback points? I've earned £30 in vouchers since December. All the info is posted on MSE daily - free money, after all!

Hello all,
Although I'm here and concerned for sammy, I notice a number of references to pigsback points and can't believe there's another yummy scheme on this site of which I am ignorant. Would someone kindly enlighten me, please? I have never seen mention of it here.
Also sammy, I am going to: https://www.ebico.co.uk for equigas and equipower(SOOOOOOOOOOO fed up with British Gas for both) You can speak to them daily 9-13h@0845-45601709(a lovely lady there), or download/fill in the application form online. Wrote a question on the phones/utilities thread earlier and have been well and truly put in my place as it appears Martin has long championed them.
Anyway, I should think you can SAVE with them - I certainly will.
Excellent news re:washing machine and hearing test.
Let's hope the next big bulletin updates us on your benefits success.
None of us are going away - we're especially here when you tire of being strong.
Nighty-night for now.