Down to my last 70p and don't know what to do

Hey_Dude

Hotpoint wrote: »

I don't get any benefits. I claimed JSA for a bit last year, but then they decided I wasn't eligible. And my psychiatrist was going to help me claim something, but then she went on holiday and when she came back she discharged me. I'm now on the waiting list to see someone else, but that will take 4 months.

Very personal question - what is your mental health issue?

Do PM me if you want - I may be able to help with the benefits side.

Dude

Hotpoint_2

Hey_Dude wrote: »

Very personal question - what is your mental health issue?

Do PM me if you want - I may be able to help with the benefits side.

Dude

I have bipolar disorder. It was only recently diagnosed; before this I was on anti-depressants as they though it was "normal" depression, and they just made me worse.
I have a few other health things as well, like anxiety disorder, to make this even more fun.

JoeHel

I just wanted to say well done you on the job front. My partner is schizophrenic and I know how hard it is. He has never claimed benefits despite not working for 3 years, mostly due to the inability to fill in forms, make phone calls or visit "official" offices. He's now been working for about 4 months and I'm SOOOO proud of him.

There is a pathetic amount of help and support for people with any mental health condition and it's disgraceful.

I hope your wages arrive soon and you can get your finances on a more regular footing. Best of luck to you, you thoroughly deserve it.

sparklygirl1

Get forms for DLA, you will be entitled to something, don't just fill in on your own make appointment with CAB and get them to help you fill it in....... Good luck.

anniecave

hotpoint - just wanted to say I really admire you for being able to work. I really admire people who try to work even though it's hard for them.

I know people who have anxiety disorder, and they find that hard, so having bipolar too must be even more tough.

A big hug from me.

I work for a debt collection agency, and I would say that if you admit that the joint debt is partly your debt, but are struggling financially (which obviously you are) then contact them and tell them this. You will just have received a standard letter. Obviously their goal is to get everyone to pay up ASAP but they should accept a regular monthly payment of what you can afford.

What is your other debt? Is that incurring interest? Depending on who this is with then you should be able to negotiate a payment plan with them too.

All the best.

Hey_Dude

Hotpoint wrote: »

I have bipolar disorder. It was only recently diagnosed; before this I was on anti-depressants as they though it was "normal" depression, and they just made me worse.
I have a few other health things as well, like anxiety disorder, to make this even more fun.

Hi - sorry about the delay in coming back to you - I admire your openess over your health issue - if more people had the courage you have shown then the awful stigmitism over mental health issues that pervades this country would start to dilute.

Rant over

You are entiltled to Disability Living Allowance - you should be able to get the Higher Rate for Care and Lower Rate for mobility.

Any mental health professional (MHP) should be able to help - the forms are a bit of a nightmare but with guidance they can be completed with not too much pain.

I would advise you to answer questions in a worst case scenario in mind with your illness - i.e. don't say things like 80% of the time I'm okay but 20% I suffer from mania/depression - focus on answering the questions from a perspective of when you are unwell.

It really helps if you have your MHP close support as they are required to support the claim in writing - if the claim goes through you would be looking at the region of about £400 every 4 weeks - money you are very much entitled too and deserve.

I wish you all the best and if you ever get down, think of all the great people with bi-polar - Stephen Fry, Ben Stiller and Mariah Carey to name but a few!

Take care,

Dude

BizzyBek

Huge pat on the back Hotpoint for getting the job Hotpoint. I too have anxiety disorder and have been out of the normal rat race for a long, long time so if I couldn't go to work i brought work to me. I don't earn a lot at all but getting a bit more each year and more importantly I am getting better and stronger each year. It's a biug achievement Hotpoint and I applaud you as I appreciate how difficult it is. You could sit on your behind and 'oh poor me' but you're not, you are out there working, trying and facing the debt - you are an inspiration!!