Looking for the silver lining

amber03

Happy new year SA, like you I have had a horrible 2013, sadly resulting in my dad passing away. 2014 hopefully will be kinder to us both. Fingers crossed Mr SA will improve health wise ,xx

Eager_Elephant

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Thanks for your sound advice eager elephant - we were warned this would happen by the social worker. She seemed to think it was just a formality. But with our luck .....

I'm off work on Thursday and I'm going to ring for a claim form for PIP for him. Looking at the form from social services if he's entitled to anything and he hasn't claimed they will count in what he is entitled to as part of income - so we'd better get the ball rolling.

I don't earn a lot and I have to pay all the bills out of my wages which doesn't leave a great deal to spare but no doubt I earn 50p more than some threshold for claiming anything. Mr SA only gets ESA so can't afford to pay anything for care. So maybe they will say I have to pay something in order for me to carrying on working. As I need to keep working for my own sanity if I have to pay something then so be it. What annoys me is that they say if you're not married but living together you have no rights but I bet they would expect me to fund his care. But no point stressing at the moment it may well be we don't have to pay anything or just a minimal amount.


!

If Social Services are that harsh that they count unclaimed benefits then a complaint needs to be made.

Of course Mr SA should be in Support Group for ESA but until an ESA50 form is sent (and then completed and assessed) he will remain on the assessment phase. They cannot blame this on you.

Same with PIP, claims are taking ages - MR SA should get enhanced rate for care and mobility but again until the claim is assessed he gets nothing and if they decide he should get standard rate then there is nothing you can do but appeal and wait for a decision.

I think they include that bit to scare people.

When I helped a client who had a brain hameoraghe (sp?) it took months to get him in the Support Group and months waiting for DLA.
Social Services assessed him based on current income and then when benefits were sorted assessed him again.

As you say even if you have to pay a little bit towards the care it is worth it so you can go to work.

*Robin*

Happy New Year Sun.A; wishing you and MrSA happiness [and good health] to enjoy it! :beer:

Rx

Buffythedebtslayer

Happy New Year Lovely lady xx


Hope 2014 is wonderful for you and Mr SA


XXXX

shoemaker1948

we have just had to start taking advice from stepchange because of our debts to much money going out not enough money comming in.on advice from stepchange informed credit card company i would not be able to make the minimum payment they were not to pleased but understanding about the circumstances they did tell me i would recieve a default notice but to ignore letter i did explain when have a budget plan hopely soon.all the other creditors have been sent letters mail order clubs etc etc.all these problems are causing so much distress in our household but with stepchange they are offering support and guidence

grannyx2

Happy new year SA, I hope 2014 brings many days of health, happiness and wealth to you and Mr SA

Granny x

Sun_Addict

Many thanks to all of you! Mr SA was put in ESA support group some time ago.

We are both very new to this claiming game as we have both worked full time since leaving school. It's all a bit of a minefield to us.

Mr SA not great today - he has been very down and tired. Weather was rubbish so he didn't want to go out. Braved the drizzle to take dog out. Not cold but dull and damp. He keeps saying he won't be around much longer which scares me. He says he's worried. He has been quite confused again too. Makes me feel down too when he can't be positive - don't know what to say to him. House is still boiling hot due to him being so cold. Kept having to go outside.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel "flat" today? I'm off work tomorrow so only have to work Friday so should feel Saturday-ish.

Oh and TV on the blink again today. Almost bought a new one online but as it's now ok again glad I didn't so can claim today as another NSD. Tomorrow need to get my finances head on to sort out PIP claim, fill in carer finance form, look for better gas/electric deal and see what I can do about Virgin Media.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Is Mr SA taking any medication for mood? Mr Lucky takes trazadone which is an antidepressant but also helps him sleep. We were limited to what he could have though due to the head injury and his low sodium so it could be the same for Mr SA. It's not fun when you have to be the happy one all the time. In terms of being cold, will he not sit with a duvet or a hot water bottle? Xx

Sun_Addict

Hi Lucky - he is on citalopram for depression. I bought him a throw to help keep him warm so trying hard to get him to use it.

*Robin*

Hi Sun.A, :hello:

Re MrSA feeling the cold: MrR had the same problem, so I got him some high-tech knee socks designed for Arctic use; they don't cause sweating and aren't very bulky (so it's possible to wear two pairs if one actually travels to Polar regions). MrR also wore one of his hats in the house if he felt chilly.
Wrapping up top and toes made the difference between MrR agreeing to have the thermostat set at 19'C, and wanting 24'C when dressed normally. But that was going into summer; a couple of thermal vests might also be handy to help MrSA feel more comfortable at this time of year (you too, if it allows you to reduce the temperature by a couple of degrees ).