HGV licence refused-how do we live?

Pampardour

I am Class 1 HGV tanker driver. 64 yrs old.Took medical last year, sent for treadmill test as I was in 2012. This year as I have COPD which makes me short of breath I could not complete the walking treadmill. Both Drs said it has no effect on my heart and sent results to DVLA thinking it would come back requesting a higher level of testing in a different way done at a different hospital or be passed as I do tankers which requires no loading/unloading etc just driving.They have taken over 6 mths but now have passed me for car but NOT for my HGV. My wife gets a state pension. We have no savings. I planned to retire November as I get my state pension. We have a mortgage that stops November 2014. The house is up for sale to repay the endowment mortgage. The letter says we can appeal. We cannot afford legal help though. How do we live next week- how do we pay bills , I have worked all my life..what do I do ?

tinkledom

Pampardour wrote: »

I am Class 1 HGV tanker driver. 64 yrs old.Took medical last year, sent for treadmill test as I was in 2012. This year as I have COPD which makes me short of breath I could not complete the walking treadmill. Both Drs said it has no effect on my heart and sent results to DVLA thinking it would come back requesting a higher level of testing in a different way done at a different hospital or be passed as I do tankers which requires no loading/unloading etc just driving.They have taken over 6 mths but now have passed me for car but NOT for my HGV. My wife gets a state pension. We have no savings. I planned to retire November as I get my state pension. We have a mortgage that stops November 2014. The house is up for sale to repay the endowment mortgage. The letter says we can appeal. We cannot afford legal help though. How do we live next week- how do we pay bills , I have worked all my life..what do I do ?

Unfortunately you will be too old to claim ESA or JSA. You're done in a simple word. Obviously you can look for another job, but you will be expected to be able to live off the two State pensions. Any profit out of the house can be used to pay the rent on your new place.

Beenie

Sorry to hear this.

Is there an appeal process that does not require a solicitor and his related costs? Usually you can send in copies yourself of the doctors report/letters saying you're OK to drive.

Indie_Kid

You should be able to claim pension credit if the only household income is your wifes state pension.

sleepymans

Dear OP, Sorry to hear that your plans for the immediate future have been dashed.

As above, check that you arent eligible for any pension credit, I dont know the criteria I am afraid.

However, I notice that you have been granted your car licence, and as an experienced driver I would have thought some Driver Agency work in a light vehicle of course (thinking home shopping deliveries???) It might plug the gap before your pension kicks in later in the year. Of course there are other non HGV driving jobs I'm sure you can turn your hand to and if you are flexible, agency work or yard /warehouse work even if it is part time, might help you out temporarily.

In my opinion, unless you planned to work on after your 65th birthday as an HGV driver, the length of time any appeal might take makes that option not worth the effort.

ALso wondering if you are a union member, you might get some help from a welfare fund??

Good luck with selling the house soon as that would help you make longer tern plans to fit in with your future income.

(Its all very well raising pension ages, but many people wil NOT have the level of health required to keep on and on into late 60,s or 70's.....and I know from experience the long hour culture in the transport industry. Those of us who have worked continuously since the age of 16 will NOT achieve th life expectancies bandied about to support the future state pension policy.

lisyloo

Its all very well raising pension ages, but many people wil NOT have the level of health required to keep on and on into late 60,s or 70's

I totally agree.
But speaking generally - shouldn't people take some personal responsibility?
A private pension would be one option.
Another option is insurance.

teddysmum

tinkledom wrote: »

Unfortunately you will be too old to claim ESA or JSA. You're done in a simple word. Obviously you can look for another job, but you will be expected to be able to live off the two State pensions. Any profit out of the house can be used to pay the rent on your new place.

A rather callous response.


Why is he too old ? He is not 65 yet .

briclegg

as someone said try for pension credit.I just rang up and they did it all over the phone.

tinkledom

teddysmum wrote: »

A rather callous response.


Why is he too old ? He is not 65 yet .

He will be in 9 months!


OK he can claim JSA until then.


I doubt very much that the JC will put much effort into helping him find a job in that 9 months. Besides which given his failing health wouldn't he be better off forgetting about work and claim Pension Credit until his SRP comes into play? They would top up the household income to £222 a week plus HB & CTB. At least he could relax a bit after 48 years of working life.

lisyloo

I doubt very much that the JC will put much effort into helping him find a job in that 9 months.

I don't think that's true.
I can certainly see your logic but the employees that work there that have daily targets will not be interested in that logic - they simply want to keep their jobs.

superwoman4

Tinkledom is a nasty little troll as his responses confirm.

OP can claim pension credit and not worry about having to sign on for JSA.