The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

D&DD

Hi all just popping in as I'm sat in a heap and its too hot to do anything!
I just mentioned on Caterina's thread to Pooky we've a large drop in income coming this month and I've been trying to prepare as best I can for it but even I'm worried as to wether or not we'll be able to cope..
I don't understand adult benefits so don't know wether DS2 is entitled to anything to replace it or not.He's still doing his little 1 day a week job I think I'd probably be best ringing the carers centre up.

Kidcat I'm not up to speed but so sorry to hear of your loss,thinking of you all XX

Hope you're all keeping as well as can be during these hectic weeks before the school hols!! XX

paidinchickens

Kidcat I'm so sorry, I'm rubbish at finding the right thing to say but I'm thinking of you.

Been to the dentist today for an extraction and a filling and I was doing fine until the injection wore off :eek:

I must admit it's quiet here now

PiC x

the_cake

Hugs kidcat, I am so sorry to hear about your friend, what a sad shock for all of you, xxx

nursemaggie

Hi D&DD

I can help a little with DS2 not good news. He may be entitled to JSA but probably not as he works one day a week.

He may be entitled to income support of some sort to make him up to only JSA for his age level. Don't know how old he is but it is very low if he is under 21 not much better if he is over 21.

You are expected to keep him even if you have no income at all. That is the law. The only way for him to get any more is to live independently.

If you rent and he is on the lease he is entitled to housing benefit. If you get housing benefit tell housing benefits dept immediately. If he is on the lease they will cut your housing benefit to nothing assuming he has a very high paid job he started at the same time he left school.

Get on to it now as they make no allowances for your health etc. ie. I was on a ventilator and unconscious in intensive care when the cut all of my benefits back to the beginning of the tax year. HMRC demanded back all my tax credits to the beginning of the year. I explained my circumstances on the day my son left collage over a year ago. I have still not heard from HMRC. I have not had any more demands for thousands of pounds.

No one will tell you anything. You have to find it all out for yourself.

If housing benefit applies do it tonight on line because it could take the Job centre up to a year to sort it. Get today's date on the application and call them tomorrow.

Take him to see them at the job centre. If he does not come under them they will send you to the right place. Get some advice from CAB. You need to make an appointment.

There is lots of advice on MSE on benefits look at families and single people.

nursemaggie

Thinking of you kidcat hugs and we are with you in spirit.

kidcat

Thank you all so much, today I have been kept really busy and had another friend with me and we spent the day racing about doing stuff. It was lovely because we shared memories all day and were laughing at different ones, I am exhausted now but it definitely helped.

D&DD contact a family have a dedicated helpline for benefits, you can give them a call and they will arrange for an adviser to call you back, they are fully trained and will be up to date as well. Definitely worth a call http://www.cafamily.org.uk/know-your-rights/benefits-and-tax-credits/

I have been working on some cake pops this afternoon as teacher gifts - this is the trial run - just waiting on them all cooling

D&DD

Kidcat glad you had a nice day with happy memories Hope the cakepops turned out well thats one thing I've never had the urge to attempt!
I'll give CAF a ring tomorrow I think,I've got a lady from DWP coming Friday for DS3 too as he turns 16 this year..have to switch to PIP with him so scary times ahead,do they think once our kids are adults they suddenly lose their disabilities??

Thanks Nursey for taking the time to help its much appreciated we don't get HB or anything else we just live off a posties wage and the soon to be non existent child tax credits. DS2 can't use public transport so his cab to work Fridays costs me what he earns but its giving him something to get up for and OH gets him after work in his car.He's 19.

Hark at me dropping in to moan *embarrassed now* but thankyou for listening as always XXXX

kidcat

D&DD he may not need to swap over to PIP immediately, its running behind schedule so alot of 16 year olds are not being switched yet. In the event he has to swap you will be asked to reapply but DLA should continue while the application is processed - of the very few I know who have begun the process it is taking a minimum six months from application to the results. In fairness I have not heard of any 16 year old yet losing their DLA as a result of PIP. Good luck

D&DD

I had a letter last week (before the one for the visit) asking if he wanted to apply for PIP his renewal is due next November so not really sure what they're planning.Bit miffed anyway, as when they phoned to make the appointment for Friday they wouldn't give a time only between 9 and 5 and he's had to take the day off school which they insisted on as they can't do another day!

I don't have a problem with the reforms as I understand the system as it is doesn't work too well,and I've always been grateful that we've had any help at all but I will be glad when its all over with again for a couple of years..I've given up on the hair dye as I've got so many grey hairs now it looks like highlights anyway :rotfl:

fuddle

Quick question if I may? Does celery freeze ok?