Mental Health and Debt Help Booklet Discussion

MSE_Martin · 17 February 2011 at 7:23PM

This thread is specifically to discuss the booklet

To discuss or ask a question just click 'reply'. Thanks!

(This thread was also used for discussing an early sneak peek of the guide, so some of the early notes include suggestions for that.)

nee-naw · 17 February 2011 at 7:44PM

Excellent work Martin .... very well done. :money:Hero to the masses.

Congratulations on a job well done!!!:T

tugrin · 17 February 2011 at 8:16PM

A very much needed piece of literature addressing a problem which is the economic equivalent of the diabetes epidemic. It is stunning that you have been left to deal with this issue single handedly without help from government/ business - you should on the honours list for the help you provide to all of us anyway - but this excellent booklet should lead to a knighthood at least!

So_Sad_Angel · 17 February 2011 at 8:47PM

I am so glad that you have taken the time to put this together. It needs publicity and my guess is there will be so many people who identify with it immediately.

This subject has been swept under the rug for far too long now...it needs to be recognised & discussed openly.

madhouse · 17 February 2011 at 8:50PM

Fantastic Martin,Jenny and Marianne as a full time parent and carer to a young adult with Asperger's syndrome, I've learnt a lot from this already. Our son has very poor communication skills and although I am an appointee for him he handles his own benefit money. It has taken years of tuition to make him understand the value of money, and his Dad will now joke he's so aware he's tight! But I worry about what will happen one day when we are not available to guide or protect him and this has given me reassurrance that he already has some protection. Well done and thank you, I look forward to the finished copy.:T:T

grange67 · 17 February 2011 at 8:54PM

Excellent work martin, I am one of the many unfortunate people who have debt and suffer from a mental health problem. Unfortunately there still is some stigma attached to mental health and some people are not willing to admit having such a problem. i have been lucky to have a very supportive family, employer and have received help through work initiatives. One such initiative is "beating the blues" and excellent cbt programme that helps change a negative to a postive, helps so much!

secretshopper75 · 17 February 2011 at 9:14PM

Just downloaded this...fantastic Martin...you deserve a big thank you

Vorobyey · 17 February 2011 at 9:46PM

Great document.:T

I have one query based on personal experience:

p34
"Take advantage of disability discounts
If you receive disability living allowance (DLA), there is a raft of discounts available. One of the best is a Disabled Persons Railcard, which costs £18 and cuts a third off your ticket and an adult companion’s – they don’t have to be a carer.
To qualify, you must get Attendance Allowance or the disability living allowance.
People receiving certain benefits get reduced fees and charges at most libraries. Ask at your local one to see what it offers."

I believe that Disabled Persons Railcard and other Travelcards are only available for people on higher rate mobility. Certainly on the lower rate I have been told that I cannot obtain one. Please tell me I am wrong because travel is getting so impossibly expensive.

Also it is very humiliating to prove to all and sundry that one is receipt of benefits eg at the library where you can be well-known to the librarians. Have you any advice on how to prove your right to reductions without producing lots of papers?

OBrother2001 · 17 February 2011 at 10:05PM

Hi Martin

On page 18 - it refers to cutting off the water supply as a last resort - in fact cutting off a domestic water supply is illegal, no matter how big the debt. Of course, this would not stop the water company taking action in the courts for a CCJ but the water supply must still stay connected nonetheless.

beanielou · 17 February 2011 at 10:31PM

Very impressive & imformative :j

Aesop · 17 February 2011 at 10:50PM

Vorobyey wrote: »

Great document.:T

I have one query based on personal experience:

p34
"Take advantage of disability discounts
If you receive disability living allowance (DLA), there is a raft of discounts available. One of the best is a Disabled Persons Railcard, which costs £18 and cuts a third off your ticket and an adult companion’s – they don’t have to be a carer.
To qualify, you must get Attendance Allowance or the disability living allowance.
People receiving certain benefits get reduced fees and charges at most libraries. Ask at your local one to see what it offers."

I believe that Disabled Persons Railcard and other Travelcards are only available for people on higher rate mobility. Certainly on the lower rate I have been told that I cannot obtain one. Please tell me I am wrong because travel is getting so impossibly expensive.

Also it is very humiliating to prove to all and sundry that one is receipt of benefits eg at the library where you can be well-known to the librarians. Have you any advice on how to prove your right to reductions without producing lots of papers?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/PublicAndCommunityTransport/DG_4001063

Eligibility
To qualify, you must meet at least one of the criteria listed below. The application form lists the proof you will need to confirm that you're eligible for a Railcard.
You qualify if you:
are registered as visually impaired
are registered as deaf or using a hearing aid
have epilepsy and have repeated attacks even though you receive drug treatment
have epilepsy and are currently prohibited from driving because of your epilepsy
receive Attendance Allowance
receive Severe Disablement Allowance
receive the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
receive the higher or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
receive War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement
receive War or Service Disablement Pension for a disability of 80 per cent or more
are buying or leasing a vehicle through the Motability Scheme

Mental Health and Debt Help Booklet Discussion

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