After my last post about the choice to look for paid work or stick to voluntary work, I had decided with the help of everyones advice that I would stay off work longer and stick with the voluntary work. This seemed to be the best decision and I would hope to get some benefit (PIP) to help financially.
However, today I have had a letter to say I am not entitled to PIP. It seems that as I can walk, dress myself and feed myself that I do not score high enough for this benefit.
Doesnt mental health come into this decision!
It seems that mental health is not counted as a disability.
Back to square one with decisions.
What do I do.
David
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Golfer15
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The descriptors for PIP have changed. It's all to do with this administrations welfare reforms. Basically, they don't want anyone to receive anything, and even when someone does get the benefit, they are made to feel as if they are a scrounger.
Really sorry to hear that the job centre have said your not entitled to PIP, I think that's why at my first appointment at the job centre I said I was fine, when in reality I'm not, I hope you manage to get all this sorted out and you get some help, Amateur
I guess the first thing is to allow time to let the reality of the decision sink in, then look at your finances and see how you feel about the implications.
That may help you to make another decision - whether to stick with your original one or alter it.
Give it a little bit of time, and keep up the gym and voluntary work in the meantime, you need the structure of those.
I think Sue has made a very good point about letting things sink in. The only thing
I will say is that you are quite young to never work again, except voluntarily. I feel
If you do Voluntary work and get out of the work force that it will be harder for you to get back into the workforce. Also I think you might find that the decision to give up
Work now is a kind of escape, but will you regret thus decision later.
What dies your wife think ? These are all important questions, and can you financially
Afford to not work? I personally would prefer to work as there is the feeling
That you are contributing and meeting people and your own self esteem would be
Much better. I think it's a big decision , statistically people who don't or cannot work
Have more problems, so I'm not sure you should do this.
Personally I think you woukd feel better if you even had a part time job, as avoiding
Working could cause you more problems, the longer you don't work, the harder it
Woukd be to go Back. David only you and your wife know what will suit you
And your family. I sometimes think that if we are Depressed that we need to
Push ourselves to do stuff, change job, study, or retrain, not pushing ourselves can
That's pants. People like you who contribute so much to society shouldn't have to feel pressured into working when they're not well enough. Perhaps something part time will suit you. I don't know anything about benefits and what people are entitled to etc, but I think you can work part time and get your money topped up can't you? X
Lucy34, I hope you never have to learn first hand the difficulties facing those who find themselves unable to work due to ill health. Not only does officialdom make it as difficult as possible to access these benefits, people are also have the daily onslaught of misleading 'facts' spouted by the government, and relayed to the public in the media. I agree there needed to be reform, as nothing can stay stagnant, but it's the methodology used which has caused so many deaths (over 10,000), that I find unpalatable.
David, should you be able to find paid part time work, you could apply for tax credits, but please check with CAB or Welfare Rights as to your entitlement (household income from every source is taken into account), and get them to help you fill out those forms. They know the key words needed for successful claims. Good luck with your job hunt x
Not at all Lucy You mentioned that you knew nothing of benefits or entitlements, and expressed your concern at people being pressured into work when they were unwell. I found that a refreshing change from the usual work-shy scroungers theme so often abounding.
Thanks pixie and Lucy. I will contact CAB tomorrow and get some advice what to do next about benefits.
Lucy you are riight that I feel pressured to work now as things are tough financially but I still dont feel well enough. I get really tired and dont have much energy. Oh well one day at a time. X
Sorry to hear about that David. Don't forget you can appeal against the decision. Many appeals succeed.
Thanks Bev. I phoned the DWP this morning to ask about appealling and they said someone will call me back to discuss this. Dont know how long this will take!
Doesn't it suck. I am struggling in to work every day and have been sent home crying at least once a month. started to look at PIP and realised I probably wouldn't get it. Yes PT may be the way to go. Hope you get a supportive employer. Don't make yourself ill though.
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You mentioned that you knew nothing of benefits or entitlements, and expressed your concern at people being pressured into work when they were unwell. I found that a refreshing change from the usual work-shy scroungers theme so often abounding.
Has anyone experienced the same?
Has anyone changed their whole support system? 
