Quit..rest ..restart . Diary no.3

doingitanyway

You've been quiet for a few days AC, unlike me, garbling on and on. Just checking how things are going?

another_casualty

Thanks DB

Hi DIA you are making great progress in your diary . Keep going ..

Anyway , today is the day for my latest update ...

I've just received a note in my universal credit journal . The note is telling me that I do not have ltd capability to work .
This was expected . I am now going through the pedestrian way of launching an appeal . Of course there are many obstacles and hoops to jump, but I have to .
The first thing I had to do ,was to ' ask to reconsider a decision .'
I then should receive a ' mandatory reconsideration notice.'
If I disagree with the ' mandatory reconsideration notice', I can appeal to a tribunal. I must however wait for the 'mandatory reconsideration notice' before I can appeal .
So, I rang the number . I then realised that I can start my process online in the u c journal . In the notice , it does say if my condition gets better ..or worse I must let u c know .
I added a note today asking them to reconsider mentioning that my condition has got worse as I have an ECG on Tuesday , due to Mrs doctor finding an irregular pulse when receiving my fit note .
I mentioned that I will let them know the outcome as soon as I come out of the surgery. I asked for assessors report also which is standard procedure . So we'll see. Crap but expected .

Weighing things up , I have to remember the old friend of mine with bowel cancer who is not sure if he gets chemo or not .
I'm so cheerful today

Things going through my head ( more gloom ) :
I know I'm lucky compared to many others . However if things don't improve , I do wonder if I should just sell up and rent . I have to look at housing benefit regarding service charges . I signed on universal credit in jan , but saw the job coach in March . My payment is due any time now . Apparently it's a 9 month wait for housing benefit , but will ask u c when my bill arrives .
I have a couple of crap pensions . I also put some money into one of them ( sipp) . The system is meant to fail us ,and we are expected to say sod it and move on . Anyway , that's where I am , and life is crap.

Onto other stuff : mr trainer is concerned about the ecg examination
However, he thinks I've lost weight again and is talking about taking more pics :eek:
In a way that's good . He even tells me I'm a fantastic role model for training and that I train harder than a lot of people in gyms .
He says my fitness is not in question , whereas I feel like I'm falling apart . Very odd .
I cancelled DW fitness last Friday and my membership expires on 31 Oct

This morning I said farewell to my 3 seater leather sofa . I paid Poole council to collect . It means that the 2 chair beds I purchased for guests are now in its place . Not sure how I'll fare with the remaining 2 seater due to the fact I'm so used to 'stretching out' on the 3 seater

My bad habits have stopped ..for now .

Hope the day and the upcoming weekend are fine for you

Gigervamp

I've said this before, and I'll say it again! Try to get a disability benefits advisor to help with the tribunal. You will be more likely to win if you have one, because they know the keywords you need to include in your appeal, and appeals have a higher success rate when the person uses one. Have a google to see if there are any charities for your condition, as they may be able to help with finding an advisor.


If you sell up, you'll have the capital from the sale, and won't be eligible for any benefits, including housing benefit/LHA. You may also find it difficult to find a decent place to rent, with no employment. Plus there's no security in renting, and could find yourself having to move on a regular basis.

another_casualty

Thanks gigervamp.
I was under the impression that a disability benefits advisor was something the gvt used when they further assess . In other words somebody that'll go through everything and make sure I get nothing.
I'll look into this via google and update on here if I see something .
There is website about my condition ( my aware). Initially I ignored it as I was trying to be upbeat about my condition trying not to face reality, but in the end it seemed sensible to join . I may look into that for possible advice also .

another_casualty

I have just logged into my universal credit journal and found a response from an administrator in Wales .
I have been told that a copy of the report will be posted to me.
I replied telling them that once I look at the report , I will follow up.
I have also gone on to the my aware website and there is a chap I can call who may be helpful .
I just have to keep on top of things , keeping my chin up ..

Gigervamp

No, the disability benefits advisors are linked to charities, they're nothing to do with the government. I have one through Tenovus, a cancer charity, and I hardly had to do anything, she was brilliant. She got me Pip, and my blue badge (which reminds me, I need to ring her soon and get it renewed), and the only forms I needed to fill in, were to say I gave her my permission to act on my behalf.
Obviously, as you're trying to get ESA, and yours isn't a terminal illness, you'll have to sit with your advisor to go through those forms, but it will be much easier. You never know, they might even be able to get you PiP too.


It is sensible to sign up to your charity, because you can find out about the latest information, any trials or new treatments, etc, they can be very helpful, plus they usually have forums where you can chat and ask questions with other people who have the same condition.

another_casualty

Thanks very much for that gigervamp .
My condition hasn't had enough research going into it yet . Quite rare and confusing . Initially I was thinking of maybe doing a par time job , but it looks like if you do a few hours a week the esa etc gets taken away which with the tiny hourly rate I'd be paid is not worth doing .
I'm glad that you got the expert help which you thoroughly deserve.
I did look at one disability webpage, and that was linked to citizens advice . Anyway, I'll have a word tomorrow with the chap from my aware and I'll take it from there .

Gigervamp

Good luck. If the charity is too small to have an advisor, try elsewhere. There are advisors who deal with disability in general too, such as the ones from CAB. There's also a website about disability rights that may be able to help, but I don't remember the name, so you'll need to google it. I do remember seeing them mentioned in the forums here, so maybe someone here might be able to point you in the right direction. Try asking in the Benefits section.

doingitanyway

Good to read your update AC

Gigervamp is right to suggest getting disability charity support with your benefits situation.
The benefits system is a difficult one and can wear people out with its bureaucracy so you are doing well to hang on in there.

You sound a bit low? I know when I walk it lifts my mood? Are you planning another walk or are you not feeling well enough? How do you feel about joining some organised walks in your area. You live in a beautiful part of the world there must be walking groups. You can get exercise and meet new people. This is my aim when I finally get some walking boots.

Have a good day AC

Gigervamp

I know there are walking groups around the Swanage area. They're usually advertised in the local free newspaper. Joining some groups is a good idea, you've been there 2 years, and haven't made any friends yet. It's bound to make you feel alone.