Take it to the Mattresses!

Grand_Benders

My next Pinterest 'make' will be my laundry detergent. My ingredients should be waiting at the office for me tomorrow, so maybe this weekend coming.

Our activities this weekend were clay-related. Fun times.

:eek: at your phones!

NewLeaf_2

Ha ha ha h I knew the phone info would make you laugh! in fact some of the paint has come off the buttons so I only k now what they are by memory!!

Grand_Benders

The OH got her Samsung Galaxy S III today. Can't believe she strayed from the iPhone, although it is the money-saving option as it's cheaper than the iPhone she was going to get. Actually, it's quite a nice phone (but I'm not getting one)

Just had to update my percentage in my sig again as I got my BC statement in and it has interest on it, so the figures were wrong that I had on my calculations (reduced interest, but still annoying)

We went shopping today and were vouchering all over the place. Back at the beginning of the year, I bought some makeup in Debenhams and got a free 'Beauty Club' card with £10 on it. Got a reminder email this week that it's about to expire, so got some nice Burts Bees lip balms and hand balm.

Then went to the O2 shop and used my £10 priority moments voucher from them, to get a case for my new phone (that I haven't got yet). Downloaded the app for my sister and she got £10 off a car charger. OH got £10 off her new phone

Then we decided to have a treat and use another Priority Moments voucher in M&S to get their Dine in for 2 people meal for £8 instead of £10.

So, a lovely afternoon shopping (which I normally hate) and only spent £8 in total!

NewLeaf_2

vouchers are a good thing. How are you and all things MSE?

Grand_Benders

I'm being very bad and not very MSE because life is so busy and we have house guests for a few months. Update coming soon!

Grand_Benders

So... errrmm....apparently 'Will update soon' actually means '5 months later'!

Life has been a bit upside down and sideways since I last posted, with details too personal to list here, but there's not been much MSE action till just this last few weeks.

Thanks to Newleaf for dragging me back here for help and support.

My circumstances have changed, I'm about to be jobless, losing two thirds of our household income in the process, and an Employment Tribunal fight about to commence.

I contacted Step Change to let them know and they've suspended our DMP DD for two months to give us breathing space. Need to write to our creditors to let them know and our DD will restart after we've done a budget review with SC in May, when I know how much I will have in benefits.

This is a whole new world for me; I've worked since I was 16 and have no idea about this stuff, but I'll be claiming ESA since I'm long-term sick (depression). I've found a useful website/forum which helps you navigate through ESA claims and ATOS assessments, but I'm not looking forward to that or the ET with my employer.

We will almost certainly have to sell our house this year and majorly downsize. Thankfully, we have a wee bit of equity in our property, so we can probably clear some/all debts and still get a small mortgage based on OH salary. She's looking for a new job closer to home, as the 70 mile round trip is now doubly expensive being only 1 person in the car. Also we both work for the same company and it's not exactly going to be pleasant for her that I'm effectively suing her employer for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination! My notice period officially finishes in a couple of weeks, then the DWP nightmare begins

If anyone is reading this, feel free to weigh in with experience, advice or encouraging and sympathetic words, all of which will be very gratefully received.

Grand_Benders

In slightly cheerier news, our debt has reduced by nearly £7k since we started 9 months ago. It's amazing how quickly it can go down when you're not spending on CCs, and interest and charges are almost non-existent! I enjoyed updating my progress bar tonight, even if it will be the last time for a few months.

I will be posting a list of what I think we can cut back on shortly. Still need to find more though, as my quick 'back of an envelope' calculation before I phoned SC last week still left us with a £500 a month deficit, even with nothing going to the DMP (which obviously isn't feasible).

Challenging times ahead!

Eager_Elephant

Hi GB

Followed you from New Leafs thread.

I seem to know a fair bit about benefits so I will try to help:rotfl: (well it is my job!!)

If you apply for ESA you will be entitled to £71.70 per week for 13 weeks. Some time within this 13 weeks you have to complete an ESA50 and possibly go for a Work Capability Assessment.
They will assess you and decide whether you score enough points to go on main phase ESA which is £71.70 + £?? depending on what group you get into - Work Related Activity (£28.45) is for people that can return to work in the short term but may need some help to do so such as traning etc. The Support Group (34.80)is for people who are severely disabled and these people do not have to do any training or interviews. etc.

If you go in the WRAG then you have to have a medical every 3 - 6 months but if you get in the Support Group you have a medical every 1 - 3 years (some indefinitely if they are very very disabled)

If you go in the WRAG you are only entitled to ESA for 12 months as this is the new rule.

If you get in the Support Group then you can have it for as long as you are in that group.

Once your ESA finishes you are not entitled to anything else as ESA income based is based on your partners income and I bet it is more than £112pw.

Hopefully you would be better by then and could claim JSA contribution based but this would be for 6 months only.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but think it is better to have all the information to hand at the start.

If you have any more questions give me a shout.

Grand_Benders

Thanks for the really useful info, EE. I had sort of worked out the first bit, but then got a bit lost about what happens next. Not sure what category I'll end up in, as the depression seems to be here to stay (for the foreseeable future anyway).

I would hope that eventually I will be able to retrain and rejoin the workforce, but since I can't even cope with a job application right now, that seems a long way away. Pretty sure I won't be going back to the same work, though, as I think it's been a major contributing factor in years of stress and depression. I do have a skill to fall back on, but need some serious training to move it from a hobby skill to professional level creating a living income.

Just need to get through the coming months of difficulty (ET/ESA50/WCA) and manage our debts as best I can. I've also downloaded the MSE Mental Health Guide and will spend some time reading through that.

Thanks for being here.

Eager_Elephant

Hi GB

Have you seen the descriptors which you have to satisfy to get points and we all know what points mean ................. ESA :rotfl:

No seriously you need to score at least 15 points to be given ESA after the WCA.

I totally know where you are coming from with the depression etc. My DH has severe depression and has had it for 17 years :eek: but has mainly been able to cope with it and work. But last year he had a breakdown and went missing - it was the most awful time of my life but anyway I have him here still but he cannot cope with work and so now we have reduced our financial liabilities he finishes work in 2 weeks.
His mental health is further compounded by a neurological problem which causes chronic pain, this has been going on for 2 years so far and to be honest I don't know how he can manage with it so it's not surprising he has severe depression.

Anyway enough about me - hope you get through all this - I will be about but mainly evenings as I am going to start working full time from next week :T