Financial question, need advice!

Hi got my BI in July 2017. Lived of credit cards for a year before signing on for UC rent etc. Have been on UC for a year or so now and get rent (75%) paid and free council tax. This is nowhere near enough to cover my basic costs rent and bills etc before food and other life costs come into the equation. I have paid for private treatment for my vision issues and now for cognitive therapy, my NHS authority do not offer these services. Have had to travel for hospital treatment and surgery outside of my region and have had to cover all the travel and stay-over costs etc.

All these costs went onto my credit cards. I have managed them properly by switching to interest free etc and don't spend willy-nilly, I am sensible and responsible. The most important thing on my mind has been what is wrong with me BI wise and how do I improve or recover and pay for treatment if there is no other choice.

Now to the DWP. I had a medical about 6 months ago only to be told there was nothing wrong with me and I have to go back to work. They said I could appeal if I had evidence to prove I had a BI. A letter from the GP would not be good enough. So I tried to go back to work and had a total melt down within a week. I had my BI assessment a couple of months later and I told the DWP however my appeal time had run out and I would have to start the process again.

I did start the process again this time via the CAB, who did all the work for me, they also applied for PIP. I went to the pip assessment and was told it had been cancelled because the system was down and another assessment would be arranged. This was in August. I contacted them in the first week of october and they told me that I had failed to attend the interview in August and they had closed the application. I then told them I had gone to the interview and spoke to their representitive etc and if they need proof check the signing in book at reception and check their cctv and they would see me there. They shut up then and said they would get back to me.

Anyway I've got all these credit card debts and have contacted the CAB again to sort them out. I was wondering if anyone else has been in this position and how was it sorted out. I have been thinking that it would be a good idea to group the debts and some how come to an agreement to send the debt to my legal team ( I have an injury claim going on at present) to be paid once the the claim is settled. That way I would be able to get a financially sustainable life again. Has anyone got thoughts about this.

[Merl1n]

I'm in Australia, so the systems a bit different, but I had some similar issues to you with DWP equivalent. My initial claim was rejected, so I appealed it. A particular neurologist wanted over $1500 to write a supporting letter (money I didn't have at the time). When DWP contacted him as a 'Treating dr' he wouldn't support the claim. So the appeal was rejected.

At the same time I had a claim for TPD (Total Permanent Disability) insurance. The insurer sent me to a professor of neurology and in his words 'You're screwed', he wrote a report stating this. I requested a copy of his report and lodged that with my next claim, and it was approved.

I have seen more dr's, professors, quacks and wizards than I can count on my fingers (and toes) and they all have differing opinions and each will profess that their diagnosis/opinion is 100% correct and everybody else's is wrong. But you only need one report that supports your claim. If you can obtain that one report, then lodge that alone, without all the conflicting info, you'll have a much better chance of your claim being granted. Well, that is, that's what I did.

As for your debts, I'd recommend talking to your legals and asking them to write a letter to your creditors. I know here we have people known as 'financial counsellors' who can legally negotiate with creditors on your behalf, some lawyers, the ones dealing with financial matters can do the same thing (for a fee of course).

[Hidden in reply to Merl1n]

Hi, cheers mate, the systems are different between Oz and the UK. Dealing with the DWP system is a bit of a farce, I go into the office and they have all my information, medical reports etc and the staff there know there is a problem and can see it and I can see that they are embarrassed and would do the right thing if they had the power. The medical assessments that they have to use come from another source, the DWP have farmed out these assessments to private companies that make a profit out of it.

I'm quite confident that it will all work out in the end especially with the help of the Citizens Advice helping me out now. They help appeal the decisions and have an 80% success rate.

Thanks for your advice

[Marnie22]

I would strongly recommend that you call National Debtline on 0808 808 4000. Don't give up if it's hard to get through, it's well worth it. They are a national charity and will guide you through everything you need to know. If you look at their website you will see loads of info, sample letters etc. They are very helpful and know how to proritise what to do. They will help you work out a plan and send you the relevant information.

I had my brain injury three and a half years ago. I suddenly couldn't pay my mortgage and had no clue how to manage. They have been brilliant every time I have need help.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

Cheers Marnie, I will definately take your advice

[RockyMountain]

When I was going through the litigation process my solicitor requested monies to enable me to live as was prior to my accident prior to the settlement. These monies were then deducted from the total amount at the end. In my case fault was acknowlaged by the other side.

[Hidden in reply to RockyMountain]

Thanks Mountain, I'll take your advice. I'm seeing the CAB soon and see what they say about this too, it's good to have ideas and options.

[hsgj]

Morning pinkvision or is it afternoon or night?

Debt and money are not something that can be properly dealt with by some of us with brain injuries.I was told about and found this organisation online and they helped me sort out debts I had (£1000s) and set up plan and helped me from then on to manage money.

Worth you looking into this I believe

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris...

Head office uk capuk.org/

Australia office capaust.org/Christians-Agai...

[Hidden in reply to hsgj]

Thankyou so much hsgj, I will definately add this to my options I will take to 'the citizens advice beaureux'