Please Help

shanew4874

I have been made redundant, receiving £13000. I have to pay legal fees of over £2000 so that brings the money the benefits can cut down to £5000?

I believe I will lose £28 per week? or is it every 2 weeks?

The grey area I am wondering about is what I can spend the money on to bring down the £28 figure? I have spent £2000 on home multigym equipment for the garage, I suffer from anxiety and depression, so will this equipment be an acceptable purchase in their eyes?

£28 per week is a big cut I feel. anyone who knows answers to the above please let me know.

Thanks.

Teahfc

£2000 on a multi gym .. I imagine they would very much question such a "luxury" and non essential item.

shanew4874

Cost £1550 for equipment, getting it all installed and flooring put down has taken it up to £2000.

It is to help with depression by getting exercise also I am registered disabled with autism, so can't just go out and use public gym.

Still in no way a justified expense?

mro

Did you Doctor suggest multigym, is it recognised to have this, is that reasonable cost, did you need to spend that amount ?

If they ask, you'll have to explain & justify it, just be prepared.

shanew4874

My doctor encourages any form of exercise and understands that I find being around people brings on anxiety, so she would write to jobcentre if I asked her to. Is this something I should ask her to do?

specialboy

I think they may ask how you managed before you got your redundancy money.

shanew4874

How do you mean? in what way? if you don't mind me asking?

shanew4874

I have to tell jobcentre that I was made redundant, even though a solicitor felt, and told them that I would have a case against them at tribunal in her opinion, the commited a litany of offences, disability discrimination, etc I was not diagnosed until after I went off work sick 3 years ago. any I digress, basically I feel there is validity to my purchase of multigym under my personal circumstanses.

[Deleted User]

I wonder if you would be best contacting The National Autistic Societ for advice http://www.autism.org.uk/news-and-events/about-the-nas/contact-us.aspx

I can understand why you feel you were justified spending money on the gym equipment, but suspect Benefits might have accepted a small amount spent on gym equipment, but not £2000. But try the above link, they have far more specialist advice than anyone on here.

I hope they can help.

Perhaps they can find other ways of helping with depression too. My son has ASD, and he feels very isolated at times. We support and encourage him (and are very very proud of him) but obviously are not in his skin so i'm sure there are times when he needs more.

Another_not_new_user

shanew4874 wrote: »

The grey area I am wondering about is what I can spend the money on to bring down the £28 figure?

£28 per week is a big cut I feel. anyone who knows answers to the above please let me know.

I realise that this may be a radical idea, but how about spending it on living costs until it reduces to the level where it doesn't impact on benefits? Or are you suggesting that it's right to spend it on nice things for yourself, and expect taxpayers to pay for your living costs because you don't want to even though you have the money? I imagine there's more than a few working people who would like a £2000 multigym at home...

TELLIT01

I've answered on your other thread but would repeat here, now knowing more about the finances, is it worth blowing 7 grand to save 28 quid a week. The sums certainly don't make any sense to me.