enquired about domestic cleaners

[anbuma]

rang a company today and said minimum is 2hours per week at £15 an hour.cant afford that.what are the chances of claiming PIP .I only get low rate care at present but can barely do anything now.or do I wait until I hear from DWP.if I claim now thye could to withdraw the DLA I am in receipt of now even tho it is indefinite.?

[Tubamags]

Hi, as I understand it, if you apply for PIP before they call you to reassess you your DLA will stop right away. If you wait until you hear from them re. reassessment your DLA will continue until they have made their decision. I suppose it all depends on how you are now and whether you can wait. It sounds as though you are finding things very difficult at the moment.

I would love to have a cleaner come to my house but there is no way I could afford that sort of money. I am hoping the OT will be able to help with this as my husband is disabled as well and neither of us can do much.

Maggie

[misty14]

Hi Anbuma

You need to get the advice of either the Citizens Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights as to what to do re your DLA because you could jeopardise it by doing the wrong thing!. It's appalling that cleaners and gardener s charge so much these days, way beyond what disabled people can afford. Social Services might be able to help you. Good luck,X

[Silvergilt]

Currently the PIP is on hold and unless you are in the trial area for PIP as a new DLA claimant you won't be called for it, you'll be still on DLA; PIP is currently a shambles. It grates to say just stay put on DLA for now -the system is a huge mess and so many people are worried that they will lose their current claim that they are scared to tell of claim adjustments, but that is the state of things. If things are really bad gather as much evidence as you can snout your deterioration from your GP, consultants, and if your social services are involved at all and consider a DLA change in circumstance. It's a risk, yes, so if you want to go for it be well prepared.

The site Benefits and Work has a lot of good info about claiming and can try and steer you, especially as things are very up in the air. There is an annual membership but it was money well spent in my case.

My council does barely anything for support ( they stopped offering cleaning years ago) but you may have more luck where you are. Also, due to current climate, you may find a stay at home parent who would take a bit less, or some younger people wanting to earn a bit during summer holidays.

[Titch1971]

Hi anbuma i have asked DLA to look at my claim again as my illnesses are a lot worse i got help from district council welfare to fill it in for me you stand a better chance that way.they are waiting for Dr report they have been very quick its been about 4 weeks.hope this has helped GOOD LUCK X

[anbuma in reply to Titch1971]

thank you Titch 1971.not 100% sure my dr would support me,especially after the battles ive had/am having with him to get a diagnosis.he supported me with my ESA claim so think he would do if I claim DLA.the last time I was turned down.ahve you got a decision?

[Titch1971 in reply to anbuma]

Hi anbuma no decision as yet like i say they waiting on doctors report.the thing is getting someone like welfare they no what they are doing i'll let u no how i get on also if you lose they will go to appeal with you &that's a bonus.keep your pecker up x

[anbuma in reply to Titch1971]

thank you.i believe all appeals go thru the courts now.i couldn't cope with that or risk having my current DLA which is indefinite taken away.

[Titch1971 in reply to anbuma]

Dear anbuma,i was told indefinite means nothing because when pip takes over probably we will all be going through their so called medical checks.i went to tribunal last year its nothing to what you think its in a small room with a judge,Dr & someone to do with whether you need care or not.my Dr was the one who messed it up.just a word of advice just be careful who you take into your home.God bless & keep well x

[hazelHollingsworth]

Put an advert in your local Post office, you will get one for the minimum wage which I think is about £8 and hour but you can check. Mine is £10 and she dos one room really well ie washing paintwork down and moving all furniture and then just a quick dust and hoover round the rest of the house in the second hour. Then the week after she does another room the same etc. so that after 6 /7 weeks depending on your home all the lot is getting a 'spring clean'.

She washes all the walls when she does the bathroom and has done all the walls in the home after about 6 months.

OR you can ask round and see if there is someone near you who is struggling for money and would bite your hand off for an hour a week. Good Luck.xx

[Limerick5]

Hi anbuma

Ya defo you will get someone for 8 to 10 pounds and you just have to go through a few before you get the right one but there is always someone looking don't go through them agents to deer what area do you live in if don't mind saying

[anbuma in reply to Limerick5]

north northumberland

[Silvergilt]

I have been trying to find a gardener but no one wants the job so it goes both ways. Even the charities no longer do gardening ( they used to but are too short hands for it). Hey oh, and I understand, pain makes everyone a bit grumpy

[Silvergilt]

An hour once a fortnight may be all anyone can pay, however. It's a sticky wicket of not making enough vs people who may be putting off something vital just in the hopes to get the garden done. Honestly if I didn't have neighbours who garden for hours every day and who are passive aggressive as, I wouldn't bother. I'm not into cultivating garden space to death. Rock, hard place.

Was a time I could barter with folk when I lived in a town that was more laid back, and that worked! I make a bloody fine home brewed bottle, I've eggs, jam, and berries and fruit everywhere. I've actually become a bit more zen due to illness - if I have the money I help people out, and when I am stuck they have my back. It "may not be a charity" but I have sort of learned the hard way when it comes to chronic illness, no one cares. So taking care of my fellow spoonies is where I am at.

I'm sorry you're in so much pain :/. I would think very hard about the manual labour aspect ( and you're probably in the sun all the time too!). It's better to adjust to continue to do a job you want to do than to struggle onward in pain till you hate it ( ask me how I know!)

[Silvergilt]

Ps- I get tax credits, as I am self employed. Granted welfare reform has nixed a fair bit of the benefit, but one thing it does help with is if I have a really gods awful period of illness, I get up to six months of tax credits, even if I have no earnings. I always push till December then end up crashing from exhaustion till Feb, and tax creds catch me. This year I gave list even more time as meds stopped working but I called in and was told I. Still under my six months' so it's okay. Give it a look in perhaps.

[anbuma]

not having a go at you.but people have to pay their own travel expenses to get to their place of work so how is it tradesmen are allowed to charge customers fro fuel to get to their jobs.?

not ranting etc you also mention costs including road tax.insurance running costs and tools.arent these things that anyone who owns a vehicle has to pay and anyone with a business sets themselves up with the tools fro the trade their in and come out of their wages.the customer would only pay for materials and labour -its all ive ever done.no-tradesman has ever charged me for fuel to get to his place of work or because he has to travel..time taken driving between customers is all part of the job-you make it seem like its a chore or burden on you or its the customers fault .

[Silvergilt in reply to anbuma]

Tradesmen have to figure it into their tax returns; In theory I could claim petrol costs and insurance, etc, to and from exhibitions.

[sazzyb in reply to anbuma]

Quote: 'people have to pay their own travel expenses to get to their place of work so how is it tradesmen are allowed to charge customers fro fuel to get to their jobs.?'

Reply: Because those 'people' are employees, and not business owners. Although business mileage can be claimed along with a sackful of other stuff if people bother to read up on it. Some girls I knew years ago used to claim for their tights and all sorts of things. To give an idea, this was in the press a couple of years ago:

'Civil servants automatically given an extra 2.5 'privilege' days off per year

Female civil servant laddering £5 pair of tights would get £4.50 compensation - even if it was her own fault

Ripped two-year-old silk blouse worth £80 would attract £40 compensation, £32 if it is polyester'

Quote:

'no-tradesman has ever charged me for fuel to get to his place of work or because he has to travel..time taken driving between customers is all part of the job'-

Reply: The fuel charge & time is costed into their pricing. It's not itemised separately on an invoice such as '£2 for fuel'.

Quote: 'you make it seem like its a chore or burden on you or its the customers fault .'

Reply: I don't see it like that at all, I see somebody who is suffering with a serious illness, in pain, trying to earn a crust but struggling to. Try having a bit of empathy for somebody else instead of having a pop.

If you can't afford a cleaner at the going rate you could either ask around your neighbourhood or put a card in your newsagents window or on the board at the local supermarket. Lots of people work for cash in hand.

[Hidden]

hi, why don't you try and become a member of streetlife .com and maybe there are people in your neighbourhood willing to help?

[Hidden]

I think the prices you charge are fair. If £8 is the rate for minimum wage, then it makes sense that someone with a strong skill set, experience and a strong client base charges more than this. If I paid a gardener the minimum wage, I really wouldn't expect much as one would assume they were without experience/unskilled/apprentice, so you could pay a neighbours teenager to do the work for pocket money, if that's all you could afford, you'd probably get the lawn mowed and a bit of random weeding done.

Ultimately tradesman have such high overheads, that they have to charge to make a profit, and since VAT and tax has to be declared on everything coming in, then clearly petrol, car insurance covering business use, indemnity insurance etc must all be accounted for. Hats off to you for keeping up such a tough and mannual job when you are suffering from this condition.

[misty14]

Hi Breadfruit

I was just making the comment that disabled people living on benefits cannot afford the high charges for services like cleaners and gardeners. Thank you for showing me how hard it is for you to make a living as you have a lot of costs to bear in running your business!. In the end it's tough on both sides!. I'm sorry your struggling with pain , can't be easy being a gardener with Lupus!. Hope you improve soon. Misty

[anbuma]

hi ursi.streetwise.com no longer exists?

[Hidden in reply to anbuma]

Sorry,it is called streetlife.com

[anbuma in reply to Hidden]

my mistake.cnat even see words properly now,

[Shadows-walker]

Hi have you tryed social services ,they would asses you , I have a gardener and I am very lucky as it was just by chance I used him a bit last year and paid £10 an hour and he's a very kind man and I do feel guilty but he has told me not to be silly as depending what he does I pay between £5 an £7 an hour know and sometimes he just says give me a £10 ,it's all down to people sometimes and genuine human kindness ,he see how unwell I am and how I was ,and knows I have been off work nearly 6 months , have you got a communitie support or a local church who could help I am a lot better now but I still can't manage to change my bed ,so someone from a part of age concern comes in they and change my bed and push the Hoover round upstairs as I can't get that upstairs ,sometimes they take me shopping as I can't manage that on my own ,there is help out there I must admit I didn't go looking for it a friend got on the phone and raised a stink as I live alone most of the time as daughter in uni and divorced and rest of my family have died , I am 52 community support have even organised me a dog walker and local vicar has said if I go into hospital he will look after my dogs ,and I am not a regular church goer . Ask your local GP if they can help I think they be able to ask social services for you take care. Chris x

[Silvergilt]

If you receive DLA and you are self employed you can qualify for disabled premium (or used to be able to, the reforms have pulled the rug out in many ways). I do gave a child who is on high rates and so I get a premium for that as well. Yep, I would give a contact and see.

[Silvergilt]

Hm, if you're in London there may be some bartering services. And as I don't like lawns either, maybe look into permaculture? I've one permaculture bed right now rich I have to tend hardly ever, it takes care of itself! Actually, I was thinking last night "hm, I wonder if I should suggest permaculture training?" It's some of the easiest, most rewarding work I've done -I am currently planting white clover rather than grass to feed to my hens and to break up and nourish the soil I'm on, interspersed with chicory and mustard for same (I'm on clay). No dig gardening FTW.

Forgive me I have utterly derailed this threat but gardening is a passion of mine, and also is part of my own self-employment, so I enjoy a natter on it.

[Silvergilt]

More for allotments as people don't think of doing anything else with it. I can't move more than 200 yards at a time so I use it at home. And it's more than just a no dig system...but it's a huge subject so maybe do a net search on it? The reason I bring it up is if you manage done knowledge on it you may be able to instruct with it, or better still, show people who are disabled and struggle with garden tasks how to create a space which tends itself. I've done no digging, hoeing, or fertilising in my patch..I don't have to. I just harvest the berries and arrange done mulch on it. It's a LOT easier than any other thing I've ever tried doing before, which is good as I've not been able to tolerate sun still all this year so gardening hadn't been happening.

I've also found some London bartering links on google for the London area - there are a lot! Try searching google for barter in your area and see what comes up!