The Diary Of Onebrokelady Aged 60 And A Half

dawnybabes

Make sure you apply for PIP as well and if claiming UC you need to do a work assessment to get s9me extra money. 

debtfreewannabe321

Just catching up with you. I hope the benefits will be sorted quickly, how long will your savings last otherwise?
I can't believe how much you get on with things despite your illnesses, I really think you are inspiring. My mum is not well and she doesn't do anything really, barely leaves the house, never shops or does DIY any more and yet you do it all and more.  
Agree with claiming for PIP- get what you can, you paid in for long enough. 

Onebrokelady

Cherryfudge said:

That's a lot to take on from the GP - probably not the most helpful member of staff. However, the chances must be that it's the Pulmonary Fibrosis that's raised your platelets, and they can't be that concerned if it's gone on three years and they're only now taking notice. I'm not saying to ignore the possibility of bowel cancer but it is one of those things they test everyone for, so that will have given it a higher profile in her mind - and you did answer 'no' to the things she was suggesting, so there's that.

And it's good news that your blood sugar has improved.

As for the money, I'm glad you have savings but I really hope they sort out the benefits quickly.

And how exciting to have a woodpecker! 

I think it’s more a case of no one noticed until this colleague pointed it out to my GP 

Onebrokelady

dawnybabes said:

Make sure you apply for PIP as well and if claiming UC you need to do a work assessment to get s9me extra money. 

I’m not sure I’m eligible for PIP because I can take care of myself, I don’t need help with any of the things they ask about 

Onebrokelady

debtfreewannabe321 said:

Just catching up with you. I hope the benefits will be sorted quickly, how long will your savings last otherwise?
I can't believe how much you get on with things despite your illnesses, I really think you are inspiring. My mum is not well and she doesn't do anything really, barely leaves the house, never shops or does DIY any more and yet you do it all and more.  
Agree with claiming for PIP- get what you can, you paid in for long enough. 

The money side of things could take a few months (claiming my second pension) benefits wise I’m not sure, I’m not even sure if I’ve claimed the right thing because there is also ESA so when I go to the job centre I’m going to ask them. When I decided to leave my job I budgeted for two years topping up my pension from my savings which would still leave me with a good emergency fund, of course I don’t want to use my savings to live on but will have to in the mean time, any benefits I receive will be reduced because I have more than £6000 in savings,you lose £4.35 a month for every £250 you have over £6,000. 

How old is your Mum ? It’s so sad when people give up on life. My mum is the same she is now 92 so I cut her some slack but she gave up years ago ☹️I can’t do that it’s just not in my nature. I do have days when I think it’s all too much and on those days I don’t do anything but lounge around mostly reading but I always  feel like rubbish after a day not doing so I try not to do it too often. 

Onebrokelady

The carpet has been laid and it looks lovely 😀my bedroom is now officially finished being decorated. This afternoon I am putting the bed back together and I have a distant memory of it being a pain in the bum 😳

I also finally phoned our pension people today after putting it off for weeks, I don’t know why I do this but it’s always really easy once I do it 😀 anyway the lady I spoke  to who will now be dealing with me was very helpful and she explained how it works. So basically she is sending me the paperwork in the next few days and also emailed the same to my boss so we can both fill in our relevant parts this is then passed to occy health or my consultant for them to fill out the medical bits and then it is sent to a medical advisory panel who decide if I’m eligible and which tier I will be on. She is sending me a letter that explains the different tiers as well so that will be helpful . I can fill out the paper work and get the ball rolling while I’m waiting to go for my appointment. It takes time but like I say I have my savings to help in the meantime, all the people I’ve spoken to have said it’s taken 3 to 4 months so we will see.

foxgloves

I agree that you are inspirational with all that you get done, @Onebrokelady. Your bedroom sounds lovely. A new carpet always feels so luxurious, doesn't it? It sounds as though you have started the ball rolling with making that pension phone call. At least you know you are capable of living frugally & not wasting money. It must be a real shock to the system for those people who are not. I think the benefits system sounds like a bit of a minefield, but it's worth claiming everything you are entitled to. I'm glad to hear the person you spoke to was helpful. It makes such a difference, doesn't it?
F x

2childmum2

Have you posted your situation on the benefits board? Lots of knowledgeable people there will be able to help you work out what you can apply for, and how

debtfreewannabe321

She's just turned 67 not old at all in my mind. I have friends the same age as her and they do so much with their time. 
I'm glad the carpet looks good  

Cherryfudge

Onebrokelady said:

I think it’s more a case of no one noticed until this colleague pointed it out to my GP 

Eek. Perhaps that's grounds to complain?

Onebrokelady said:

I’m not sure I’m eligible for PIP because I can take care of myself, I don’t need help with any of the things they ask about 

Remember you have days when you just need to sleep and where essential shopping is a huge task - so yes, absolutely you are looking after yourself, but it takes more out of you than it does for many people, so perhaps you deserve to have a little extra in the funds for things like getting a taxi instead of a bus?