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

another_casualty

Thanks DIA

On sat , James turned up . We more or less carried on from where we left off . He is now an employee , but has a few people he looks out for . Thankfully , I'm on that list of contacts . My patient laid back attitude has paid off there .
He fixed the extractor fan , temporarily fixed the bathroom tap ( had to order another with 10 year guarantee ), checked water pressure in kitchen hot tap, replaced the rubber on bottom of shower door and reduced his hourly rate for me . He knocked off time for the coffees and journey to wholesaler for shower door rubber .

Had a couple of enquiries for one of my bass guitars for sale , which I listed a few months ago. I'm not accepting anything less than £800 or I'm just giving it away , but it's a listing that has to be done because of my current situation .

Mr trainer has asked me to change date of his standing order. By doing so, he sent an email giving me an extra session this week because of the inconvenience .
I should have done this on Friday really , when I paid my six monthly service charges . Reason I forgot was that I had a £5 note which had the bottom corner torn off . The cashier replaced it , giving me £5 which I thought was lost .

Regarding universal credit , I'm struggling to find " further evidence "
I have a handful of discrepancies on the report which I will raise .
Don't know if Mrs doctor can help , when I see her .
Believe it or not , I'm actually being proactive rather than reactive .
Universal credit don't know this yet , but I will tell the job coach when I see her . How ? Well, I have imho ltd capability to work ,hence the claim . It's obvious . However , although they have ripped up my 6 month 'fit note', I'm going to tell them that I bear no ill will and that I will try to do something in the morning for a couple of hours a day ..with their proper guidance . I will ask whether 'any job' means that I can become an astronaut or an mp. However the fact that my capabilities are ltd probably means I can't .
We'll see .

another_casualty

Just been to citizens advice in person . Was seen very quickly , by an advisor and trainee . Very happy with not waiting around for too long and advice given. Didn't feel rushed. Tbh I was talking a bit like a racing commentator as I expected to be pushed for time . I have a feeling that I have to go all the way to appeal stage . Not feeling too fed up surprisingly and am just getting on with it .

doingitanyway

Just checking you are ok.
How are things going?

another_casualty

Hi DIA .Thanks for looking out for me. Will checkup on your diary soon

Latest news: saw Mrs doctor on Tuesday morning regarding the results of my ecg examination . She hadn't received them yet ,and was surprised that I had the appointment so soon regarding this .
Summing up the rest of the discussion , she did say that the decision for universal credit to tear up my fit note was unfair , but there's nothing more she can do . She also asked me if I was losing weight , and my answer to that was that I don't know but James said I lost more weight as soon as I opened the door to him last week .
She did say that my condition is misunderstood as I appear to look well when I have all of the symptoms I have .

I was due to see the job coach ( yet another one) at 3.15 pm. However I received a phone call around 11.05 asking if I could attend earlier .
So I got my skates n and got there within the hour .
Apart from the 2 toddlers running up and down behind me the meeting went fairly well. I managed to type out the form for mandatory reconsideration the day before and handed it over for her to copy and return . When I was discussing things (it was a very brief meeting) I did point out that I'm not refusing anything and am willing to do approx 2 hours a day to start off with , mid morning being the better time obviously . This was mentioned on the form also . The claim I am making is for ltd capability for work and imho this is what I'm entitled to. I asked her how I'm doing so far in my approach . She asked me what kind of work I would like to do. I said desk work . She asked me if I should consider voluntary work . I actually agreed that it may be a good idea , seeing as I need to regain confidence and meet people again. So my next job centre appointment is by phone in the morning of 5th November , which is also payday from universal credit.
On Tuesday I will take moo's advice and turn up to Poole library and see if they can give me any pointers towards finding me something etc

Onto my finances : while declaring all of my income via bank statements , and building society books etc for universal credit , as mentioned above I do have some income which I did not declare by accident . Please don't judge me on this . I paid a sum less than £16,000 into my firms private pension or so I thought . What I've done is just put it into an account of the company pension that is there but it is sitting dead and actually not in the sipp that I thought .
What does this mean for me? Well, I could do with it . However I don't want to be done for fraud if I pay it into my bank Acct . I was thinking of declaring it but that could make things worse . I could just come off of universal credit altogether . Big decision . I'm worried
It seems the best thing if I was lucky enough is to get a job for ltd hours and hope for the best .
Saw mr trainer for a couple of free sessions . He is delighted with progress .
The flat is finally finished . A few of us are going for a social gathering next sat in Poole . 2 of my friends are crashing over . A bit like Ernie and Bert / morecambe and wise . It'll be interesting to see what they think of the flat .
When I complained about the door being left open to the managing agents , they sent us all a letter advising us to close the door in a polite note . I was wondering how long it takes for the landlord to relay the message to the tenants upstairs . Over a week after the note, I typed out a notice saying " please close the door" and it seems to have improved the situation , but something I have to keep an eye on

James fixed the extractor in kitchen , checked water pressure and did a few other jobs . I had to buy a new tap, but he will fit it . I just don't know when;)

triple_choc_chip

Hey AC, I would urge you to ask about the pension on the pensions forum, they’re so knowledgeable on there, I spend ages reading the threads and have learned loads.
It could prove lucrative to still pay some of it into the pension if you can to get the tax relief added on it - now you are not working I think the limit is £2800ish per year but you may be able to back date for previous years. If the remaining amount is below the savings threshold it won’t affect your benefits. When you are 55 you can take up to 25% of your pension tax free if you can wait until then for extra funds. (Assuming it is a dc pension).
TCC

another_casualty

triple_choc_chip wrote: »

Hey AC, I would urge you to ask about the pension on the pensions forum, they’re so knowledgeable on there, I spend ages reading the threads and have learned loads.
It could prove lucrative to still pay some of it into the pension if you can to get the tax relief added on it - now you are not working I think the limit is £2800ish per year but you may be able to back date for previous years. If the remaining amount is below the savings threshold it won’t affect your benefits. When you are 55 you can take up to 25% of your pension tax free if you can wait until then for extra funds. (Assuming it is a dc pension).
TCC

Hi triple choc long time . Hope you are well .
Thanks for that . I'll ask on the pensions board shortly .
It's annoying really , as on the one hand I'm ( finally ) looking for work but in a way I could've held off for another year or so .and started the universal process next year . So many people keep telling me to "sign on " and try to claim for my " disability " etc
If I'm allowed to get access to something , it would put my mind at rest for a while . Living on £318 pm , I've done well so far but the wheels are coming off. I will be 57 in Dec :eek:
Maybe there's a way to keep afloat .
Should've hidden some in the mattress

Gigervamp

One of the reasons for signing on, is that it counts towards your state pension, which could make a difference if you haven't got enough years to qualify for the full SP.

another_casualty

Gigervamp wrote: »

One of the reasons for signing on, is that it counts towards your state pension, which could make a difference if you haven't got enough years to qualify for the full SP.

Good point gigervamp
I'm not too far off, but it is something to keep in mind .
Thanks

another_casualty

What a strange day . I found some mould in the bedroom .
I cleaned the walls with a few flash wipes and all seems ok for the moment . It meant that I had to move the slim chest of drawers to the other side of the room . Something to keep an eye on . I'll probably get the dehumidifier out when 5he weather gets permanently colder.

What annoyed me most today , was the " gardeners " came over this afternoon . Never saw these guys before . One of the gardeners hacked and butchered one of the bushes outside the bedroom window:mad::mad:.
I am sending an email to the managing agents . They didn't need to be here today as the other " gardener" was here only a couple of weeks ago as they forgot me in August . I will take a couple of pictures and complain . James saw it and he thinks the stupid individual may have killed it . I'm wondering if they can send someone over to plant something in its place . The b@starr only had to trim it .

So the only good thing to happen was that James came over and fitted tap . There is a problem with the hot water . He tried , but he was doing a favour but I may have to get someone out . It looks like the heat exchanger packed up . I had one replaced by one of the 3 companies who serviced my boiler since I've been here . A major pita to say the least .
I did mention some good news. That was James who is only charging me £100 for all the jobs he did in the last couple of weeks . It was a good job I looked after him over the time ive known him .
He said that he will be on hand also should I need him again in the future .

doingitanyway

Good to have a catchup from you AC.

It sounds as if you have had a gear change on your work situation and you are looking for a few hours in the mornings. I think that might work well for you. If so, does that mean you escape the clutches of UC? I am applying for WTC but I do have reservations as the whole tax/benefits system is so negative in many ways.

Glad you got the house jobs done. I have so many to do and it can get me down sometimes. I look forward to being in your situation one day soon

Careful with spending your DC pension. Would it be worth a pension wise appointment?

Have a lovely Sunday. It is dry here for a change, so thinking of taking a walk