Mooloo's struggle with babies and bills

Savvy_sewing

K, off to try these now. (Arm protesting at keeping coming back to the computer, but I am just getting so fed up of all the dead ends!!).

Savvy_sewing

Well I have spent the day reading, researching and ringing around. Not really got very far, except a headache! Basically I need to find out where the old medical records of the girls are, that show the time when they were diagnosed with thier problems. Then I need to get an expert to investigate why they have not had DLA since they were 18 years and living in the Hostels.I think that perhaps I can get assistance with the Welfare Rights people, to put the correct wording on the application forms for Attendance Allowances or Disability Living Allowance? When I am at the Neurologist on Thursday I will ask him what his prognosis is for me at the moment, and if he thinks I should re-apply for the DLA for myself.?If he thinks that the time is coming/right too, then I will again ask for someone to help me fill out the forms. It seems to me, where ever I look, that it all depends on the wording used on the forms as to whether they investigate further or not?As the girls dont get the above anymore, it means that I could not get Carers allowances for them. (you can only claim it for one person anyway).Even if I did get carers allowance for them, then I would loose the other benefits unless I was to work part time, earning less then £95 and working less then 16 hours a week. (If only I could work I would not be in this predicament!).How to get help with Social Services funding seems to be changing. As far as I can make out the NHS are turning this service over to local councils. So that I fear will be a bit of a postcode lottery!.Our SW is on holiday (again). I have left a message on her answer machine to ask her to let me know what is happening with the various referrals that she has been making about access to the centre at Daventry and to the New Horizons for twin2. Twin 1 is adamnent that she wants to stay living with me. The finances will be the issue, as someone already said, I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it!.Meanwhile I still need to get hold of Npower and see if I can spread the payements? I couldnt get through last time I tried.!

Errata

Can only help you with this bit
Basically I need to find out where the old medical records of the girls are, that show the time when they were diagnosed with thier problems

The Twins current GP will have all their medical records, which will contain everything from birth up to now including letters to and from consultants.
If you need the date of diagnosis so you can complete a form / apply for something for them, the Practice Manager might be the best person to talk to about this. HTH

Savvy_sewing

I have just got off of the phone to the power company. They were very polite and helpful. (once I got through). They have a system for people on Benefits, called First Step agreement. They have taken what my income is, and will contact me to make arrangements for the payements to be spread.
They also have said that I qualify for something called Spreading Warmth plan, which gives technically, £125 a year off of each of the bills.
If after 6 months I have kept to my agreed payement plan they will "write off " the rest of the bill? Hope I got that right. Dont quote me. I just took notes while I was talking to the people on the phone.
Now of course we have to see what the agreed payement is going to be?
I will watch this space. At least I have contacted them, not hidden it under the bed, or in a drawer somewhere. May no longer be Debt free, but at least I am dealing with it!.
Still feeling sick, and think that I have put in a full days work! I am also exhausted. Just dont want to go to sleep as I had a series of nightmares last night, that I dont want repeated.!!
PS. Nearly finished my knitted handbag. Just have to line it now!. Kids think it looks great, so thats a bonus. Going to line it with some stretch denim I found lurking in the wardrobe, from something I must have made 15 years ago! But that will do.
But not today I fear, my arm is well and truely worn out, to be polite.!

MiniLaura

You mentioned DLA - ive received dla since i was under 16 - only qualified for lower rate mobility but should have qualified for middle rate care ie i need help with communication throughout each day.

I had application refused twice until i started with an appeal and getting welfare rights officer involved - what seems to happen was DLA turned round and said ok ok...and just awarded.

Would definately recommend you get someone who is used to dealing with each of your condtions and your girls conditions to help you fill out all the forms (charities may help point you in right direction) and reapply for you all. If refused then get the appeal in and the welfare rights officr should help - they are usually based within your local council - a social worker shoul know where to contact them.

id be happy to look on internet for the right people for you to contact if that would help?

Savvy_sewing

Thanks Minilaura, I am hoping that I will be able to spend a little more time searching/asking/etc over the next few days, as I get better. I think its getting the initial meeting with Welfare that I need.! Perhaps tomorrow I will be able to get through to them.!
On Thursday afternoon I will be meeting the Teenage Support workers and I will see if they can also pick thier feet up about things.

lisa*_5

Mooloo wrote: »

Even if I did get carers allowance for them, then I would loose the other benefits unless I was to work part time, earning less then £95 and working less then 16 hours a week.

Which benefit are you receiving at the moment? If its Income Support then you shouldn't loose any benefits as such. You won't be entitled to receive the actual CA however you would have an underlying entitlement to Carers Premium which would mean an extra £27.75 being paid with your Income Support.

Also if your daughter was to move into supported accommodation on a trial basis initially then I think she would be entitled to receive LHA for 2 properties until she decided she wanted to stay permanently. This has been the case for a couple of clients in the past but obviously it would depend on your daughters own circumstances.

Also with regards to DLA for yourself, after reading your thread from the start I would say you would be entitled to DLA at some level, if you were a client then I would have most definitely applied already. Even if you aren't awarded it straight away then it is worthwhile appealing as in my experience a large number of people who are refused initially are awarded at appeal.

Also, I'd just like to say that I've followed this thread for a long time and you really are an inspiration, I know you say your just doing your best for your family but I think your fantastic and believe that your children are really lucky to have a Mum like you.

Savvy_Sue

lisa* wrote: »

Also if your daughter was to move into supported accommodation on a trial basis initially then I think she would be entitled to receive LHA for 2 properties until she decided she wanted to stay permanently. This has been the case for a couple of clients in the past but obviously it would depend on your daughters own circumstances.

And just to respond to this alongside mooloo's previous comment about the council not committing themselves to anything, their response is unsurprising, because it doesn't apply in just ANY circumstances where one of your family moves out.

Savvy_sewing

I did apply for DLA in September last year, but was turned down.
(For me).
Re the council, I suppose I will just have to challenge any decisions that are made, if they are negative.
I really need to find the right person to fight my cause with/for me.
I suppose thats the bottom line. That as I am not a professional and not equiped to deal with these things I am easily sidelined. Or hood winked?

I am struggling to get moving today. Cant believe that it is already 1pm in the afternoon, I have no idea why the day has gone so fast? I have hardly done anything. Except get up,!!
Even then I am still stopped up in my bedroom.!!

Twin 1 shouted at me today.! Not usually her to give me the lip!.

We (Biggest of Mooloo's and I,), drew up the kids new charts, DS and both twins, to follow through. and they are up on the kitchen/dinner wall. So they have something to follow more easily. It was drawn up with each of them, in agreement. Seperately.
Unfortunately its causing a bigger bone of contention between us at the moment. It was supposed to be a new point of reference for everyone to follow so that I didnt have to keep on to them.
Twin1 has not followed it for the last 4 or 5 days and this morning Biggest of Mooloo went into her first, to tell her to get up and take her baby, (who was awake and in her mums bed) down for breakfast. That she should have done at least an hour earlier. Twin 1 shouted at her, and blew her stack. When I said behind her, that I had thought she had gone down earlier too, and that the babies nappies shouldnt be on the floor etc etc, it was just a mouthfull of abuse. I am afraid I burst into tears and came back into my room. Where I have staid!
Its one of those days when I feel like telling them to all go and fend for themselves and that I am sick of being used as a doormat!. That I want my life!!!
I really feel like packing a suitcase, driving to the airport and getting on a plane to the sunshine somewhere. Anywhere.

lolababy

Hi Mooloo sorry your having a bad day. Sounds as if you need some time out before you have a breakdown.
Id suggest getting onto ss and telling them that they have to give you some support . Family centers usually have outreach support workers.
If you manage to get the twins dla you could then put in for the independant living fund. This could then go to paying for support workers for the twins.