is benefitsandwork site worth joining-£16.50 joining fee?

healy

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Has anyone recently subscribed to the benefitsandwork.co.uk website?

I'm just a little concerned that some of the links are broken on the front end of the site which is available to everyone so don't want to waste almost £20 subscribing only to find the same thing on the members' side.

Is the site still being maintained and producing up-to-date guidelines for completing DLA forms?

Thanks

Yes the site is still being maintained as the forums are still in place and are active with the owner posting.

~Chameleon~

mouseymousey99 wrote: »

- I have concerns about a 'formula' for applying/renewing DLA. Surely the people who read the applications recognise those who trot out the standard responses? I think you have to be honest about yourself, and your own words & honesty are still best.

I don't think the intention is to use their 'standard responses' when filling in your own form. They are merely a guideline to provide a prompt or reminder of the information you're required to supply. Everyone's situation differs and you write your answers based on your own problems and needs.

I can't see what the difference is in asking someone from Welfare, CAB or wherever to help you fill out the form or using the online guidelines so you can fill it out yourself. Saves valuable time and frees up resources for those who need it.

All I asked was whether anyone knew whether the current guidelines are up-to-date and worth paying £20 for, as I've never used them before. The old BHAS guidelines I have are long outdated!

mouseymousey99

Sorry I did rattle on, I'm stuck in bed today and not too good!!

daska

I have CFS/ME which is notoriously difficult to claim DLA for. The first claim I put in with the help of the CAB, but it was a much simpler form then, got awarded first time round! The second time round we were struggling to get and appointment with the CAB so DH and I paid for the B&W membership and DH filled it in; the advice we got from B&W radically changed the way DH phrased things. Again, awarded first off HRM/MRC.

Overall I'm convinced that I wouldn't have have got my current DLA award without the B&W advice so I think it was worth every penny of the membership.

This time round I have a WRO - I also have a lot more diagnoses and a lot more prescribed adaptations and a substantial care package from SS but my GP, whilst far lovelier than you could possibly imagine, is a bit limp when writing letters - it will be interesting to see whether it's straightforward again.

On the downside, my local council has ceased all funding for support workers on the basis that it's a 'luxury'. So now we've lost our local CAB, the main one has had it's hours reduced, those of us who struggle to travel can't get a support worker and SS claim that they can't help with forms... So I'm guessing my next DLA application will be returned with a covering letter explaining that trying to deal with it causes such bad panic attacks that I'm unable to complete the form and when they turn me down I'll appeal and go straight to tribunal...

[Deleted User]

since recommending membership of b&w a couple of years ago i doubt that i would do so now,the information is much more widely avaliable for free than it was then,and i have my suspicions that b&w have their own agenda and could be accused on ocassions of scaremongering.I was a member a while back,now i wouldnt waste the £20 tbh

System

I joined up after being unable to find any useful information on the net. It got me through my ESA medical.

It would be good if thise who know where this info for free is could get the sources together and perhaps make a post with that info? Would be helpful for many

~Chameleon~

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I joined up after being unable to find any useful information on the net. It got me through my ESA medical.

It would be good if thise who know where this info for free is could get the sources together and perhaps make a post with that info? Would be helpful for many

Yes, I agree with you. If anyone does know where to find this information free then please let us know, thanks

Ames

I'm a moderator on the B&W forum.

I've recently used the members areas links and didn't come across any duff ones. The site is constantly being updated though so there may be glitches from time to time. The forum is very busy at the moment but there are experienced people answering questions (I'm not one of them, I'm just an administrative mod).

The 'scaremongering' referred to was no doubt in relation to the scrapping of DLA - as the government response to the petition makes clear, it is a very real threat.

~Chameleon~

Ok, as an alternative source then has anybody ever bought The Big Book of Benefits and Mental Health?

http://www.benefitsinmind.org.uk/big_book_2008.htm