Kingdom of Bed

ani_26

Hmmm, i have tried, ( and failed,) to find a telephone number for you. Sounds like you are in this for the long haul, ( sorry.) Ultimately, you need to track down the telephone number of the manager, ( or speak to the manager,) of your LOCAL jcp, who may be able to tell you the reason why your benefit has been suspended. The HB office won't do anything without written confirmation from dwp or hmrc, for that matter, as all they can see on their systems, is what dwp has done, and not the reason for it, ( if that makes sense,) and what they see on their systems, unfortunately, is gospel.


If i find a number, i'll let you have it.


Sorry for the delay. Just received my own letters from dwp and borough council. :eek:

recoverydust

Thank you I read about your letters and issues

most annoying thing is I know what to do i just cant do it...
so fretting it is

xx

ani_26

(((((( hugs ))))))

Aesop

hugs dusty, I know how hard and disheartening this all is.

ani_26

Is it a waste of time asking if you received your phone call? A question i probably know the answer to.

recoverydust

current state of play:
email to manager of Housing Benefit Office, copied to MP MSP and local councilllors

Dear Ms D,

Today I had a letter from the housing office, Reference xxxxxxxx informing me that my housing benefit entitlement had changed and I would no longer be receiving any housing benefit.

After a long day speaking to many people on this most anxiety provoking manner, I phoned your office and my call was taken by Sc
S explained that the benefits office was under the erroneous impression from memos deriving at the DWP that I was on income related ESA and not contributory based, as is the case.

This information was in a memo dated 13th August 2012, from DWP.
I am requesting a copy of this memo under the Freedom of Information policy.

There was some confusion caused by Mr C, being unable to find any records on the system for our tenancy or benefit apart from this or another memo.
He then found another account TEMP XXXXXX, dated 9.1.2012 from the DWP.
I am requesting a copy of this memo under the same FoI policy.

Whilst I tried to explain to Mr C that I had severe mental health problems and that this particular issue caused anxiety, he continued to impress upon me that our housing benefit was likely to have been over -paid because I am actually being paid contributory ESA . He seemed to think that the difference between main phase, £71.00 ( which everyone gets for 13 weeks or so) and what I get £105, is because I get extra on Contributory ESA. The additional money is awarded to those deemed to be most vulnerable and in need of additional support.

Mr C also implied that I had falsely filled in my housing benefit claim, which was actually completed with all the relevant supporting paperwork by our housing officer at the Office at the beginning of our tenancy last year.

He did not seem to have a very good understanding of benefit. I get the basic ESA "topped up" with premiums according to my assessment, which is to be in the Support Group.
ESA rates for income related and contributory are the same if the only other income is benefit.

As Mr C is aware, and told me, the only other income we have is Income support and Carers allowance.

I would like to complain about Mr C's lack of sensitivity and good manners on the phone, and about his lack of essential awareness of the current benefit system.
He further refused to ask if you were available to make a call back when I made it clear I intended to complain about him, declaring it was the DWP problem not his.

If there is a recording of this call I am further requesting it under the FoI policy
If you are not able to directly process the FoI request please could you forward this email to the department that deals with it.

May I suggest training for your staff in DWP benefits, mental health awareness and customer service principles.
I look forward to hearing how Edinburgh Council is intending to improve its Housing Benefit Customer Services for vulnerable tenants in the future.

kind regards
xxx

I feel rather good for having coped all day with this. I established that my ESA is in payment, has not been suspended or changed and will arrive, as expected in the bank tonight.

recently such news and anxiety and incumbent paranoia would have triggerd my mood swings and rattled my hum..... instead i Have princess dresses and a prince suit..... for the children in my life

have a nice evening
xxx

ani_26

recoverydust wrote: »

recently such news and anxiety and incumbent paranoia would have triggerd my mood swings and rattled my hum.....

Well done x

instead i Have princess dresses and a prince suit..... for the children in my life

have a nice evening
xxx

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:



Sorry. Well done. :T



I guess that's the equivalent of gardening? :rotfl:



One shouldn't laugh, should one? What's the alternative?

recoverydust

http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/7284_piecing_it_back_together_post-psychosis


not my words, but deep resonation here

Considering I presented in hospital, locked in my own reality, floridly psychotic and hallucinating, I had a long way from which to recover. Luckily, I responded to antipsychotic medication promptly and, although I had been sectioned, I was allowed to go home on leave after just one week in hospital. The section was rescinded after another week. It was then that the seemingly impossible task of recovery had to begin.

My life as I had known it was shattered. My sense of self worth had largely been based on my work, but post-psychosis I could barely hold thought together long enough to read a sentence, let alone work. I couldn’t even read a magazine article or concentrate enough to just watch TV. As is often the case, things got worse before they mended, and at first recovery felt as difficult and painful as walking through treacle over a bed of nails. I was haunted by traumatic memories of the hallucinations that I had experienced while psychotic, which had been very dark and focussed on abuse and death.

I fell into a deep depression. I have experienced depression on and off all my adult life, but it was generally an agitated sort of depression where I was not completely incapacitated. But now, I was so depressed that I could only lie on the sofa under a blanket, barely able to move. My consultant prescribed an antidepressant to take alongside my antipsychotic treatment and this was perhaps the first step to feeling better.

As well as medication, I also received holistic group therapy, which was advice about diet, exercise and rest etc. This was mostly common sense and not really news to me, although it was great to meet other people who had experienced severe mental health problems and I felt a sense of shared experience. I also received psychotherapy but this raised more issues for me than it resolved and I was glad when the course of therapy ended.

Gradually, I became less withdrawn and depressed, and re-established social contacts and started going to the gym again. Taking up voluntary work in a local charity shop was a significant advance for me because it made me feel useful and socially connected. After eight months, I accepted a job working as a part-time sales assistant in a local department store. It was a far cry from my previous well paid job, but I had to focus on what I was able to do and I was only able to make progress in small steps.

The most significant stage in my recovery was writing my book. Describing my experience helped me put it in context of my life story and let me come to terms with what had happened. When I was writing I found myself less shadowed by my memories of psychosis and my reoccurring thoughts and flash-backs lessened.

Catherine

ani_26

I still prefer more natural " aids " to recovery, well being, whatever you like to call it? I've booked on a yoga for well being course, ( never done yoga in my life, but always wanted to,) and i saw something in the doctors surgery today, about mindfulness, i think it was? I'll look into that too. It's a long haul to repairing mind, body and soul.

How are you today? Are you ok? (((( hugs ))))

recoverydust

mindfulness and meditation are on my list, as is yaga. I too beleive in complementary and holistic medecine, always have, but infoprtunately since being caught up by Mental Health services i have had tyo compromise....

today has been good, DFWP rang this morning and Shirley from some call centre was really cross with housing benefit office. ESA in bank today. Got some new clothes that fit in the sainsburys sale and etnies from tk max, some houseware and shopping.

no response to my snotty email yet, and made friends again with the junky upstairs after shouting at him last month cos he kept tapping my door and asking for stuff.

got house guests - 5 couch surfers - one camping in the garden and four in the house tonight.

had a good day and looking forward to sewing on my newest machine tonight. Have made 4 fairy skirts and have a gnome suit to complete.....
picked up a second machine a Jonelle simple one for £25.00.