Charities, Benefits, DWP

[BTposse]

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with RA, turns out that it is common in my paternal side of the family.

I’m just at the beginning of the journey, pain management at the moment, with future appointments seeing therapists etc.

I’m here for information on claiming the correct benefits, I’m currently receiving Universal Credit and ESA.

I’ve applied for PIP, my rent arrears are rocketing, I’ve no money. I’m looking thru charities, which I’d gladly pay back.

I’ve gone from £2k take home a month to £7-10 a day to live on.

If anyone has information etc about what I can do, please get in touch.

Thanks for reading this, I much appreciate it.

My name is Alex

[Hidden]

benefitsandwork.co.uk/ This is the best site. You can join for £20 a year. They have a forum where you can post any questions. Also lots of Guides you can read or download.

[BTposse in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply, much appreciated

[vonniesims]

Maybe try citizens advise

[KittyJ]

Aside from Citizens Advice and Welfare rights as suggested already, you can check yourself on Gov.uk for benefit checkers. How you are expected to live on £70 a week tops is beyond me, I hope you get some help quickly,

gov.uk/benefits-calculators

[BTposse in reply to KittyJ]

I know, I’m literally done. Had enough of it already. About £6 to my name. I’ll contact CAB now.

Thanks for all the help everyone

[Deeb1764 in reply to BTposse]

Local food bank is worth asking about just to help here too.

[Katie-Mag]

Hi Alex, afraid I’ve no advice regarding potential benefits. I just wanted to say that RA treatment can be really great now. Keep going and hopefully you’ll soon be back out and earning.

[BoneyC]

Unfortunately a diagnosis of RA is not enough to qualify for PIP, you have to show how it affects your ability to do day to day activities but there's no harm in trying. Maybe CAB can advise on other benefits until you can hopefully get some treatment and return to work.

[medway-lady]

It is impossible to offer any real advice as so many variables. I can only say that PIP has nothing to do with your financial difficulties but is to help with day to day living so its based on physical need not financial. That is a big hint on how you could word a claim but also beware they are often checked and refused for many different reasons. Rightly or wrongly having RA is not going to give you a direct and proven need claim. You should contact the CAB, Local Welfare Rights Office or even Christians Against Poverty or you may have a local Community bank. Bear in mind though any money you borrow has to be paid back and that may not be easy. I'd urge you before borrowing more money to contact your landlord and the Local Authority to come to an arrangement to settle any debts by regular weekly payments because the Local Authority can after a process, get you committed to prison or take the money you owe from your benefits. Nether of which are good outcomes. So many variables with benefits such as do you live alone, is your rent capped? do you have any dependants etc etc etc so you need to speak to someone who will ask you the right questions and calculate your entitlement. I'd not pay for advice but the Direct Gov Website is very good for advice. Bear in mind that benefits are not generous we all know that and you are far from alone in struggling to make ends meet but food banks are in most communities and no one judges you in claiming. You I believe, can claim for help with prescription charges and the dentist but I'm not up to date with that so do check if you need treatment. I'd also suggest that you work out a budget and plan meals and again if you owe money to a power company contact them and advise them of your change in circumstances as the last thing you want is a prepaid meter. I wish you well and am sorry I only wish I could help more but it is a very difficult situation and sadly so many are now in it.

[Wobblyone in reply to medway-lady]

No one gets sent to prison for owing money any more. Clink, the debtors prison, was abolished a very long time ago.

[AgedCrone in reply to Wobblyone]

Oh yes they can…,read your local newspaper!

[Wobblyone in reply to AgedCrone]

Bit late for panto season, surely?

[medway-lady]

Oh yes you definately can ! I spent my career as Local Authority Senior Revenues Manager. So your comment is untrue and dangerous. And I quote from a local authority website "You will be required to tell the court of your household income and how that income was spent. If the Magistrates find you guilty of wilful refusal to pay or culpable neglect to pay the Council Tax they may commit you to prison for up to 90 days for each Liability Order that you owe." That is up to date and my advice if you read it was based on what could happen. And furthermore people are committed to normal prisons like Elmlea on Sheppy (men) not a special prison. The sentence is determined on the level of debt in line with the fines levies. I could add a lot more on how the process works but you clearly don't think it happens.

[Smudge-1]

Hello. As an experienced Citizens Advice adviser I would recommend our free service. Contact your local branch and they will help you check your benefits, help with wording for your PIP application (or you can use citizensadvice.org.uk benefits section), suggest other ways to save money eg apply for Council Tax reduction, give food bank referral, apply for social tariffs for your water costs, broadband provider if BT and possibly your energy provider. Our branch also has access to various extra funds which people such as yourself can tap into so you may well find the same at yours. Hope that helps.

[BTposse in reply to Smudge-1]

Thanks for your info. I’m having my BB terminated on the 8/2 as couldn’t afford it. BT does free?I’ll have a look at the link. Thanks again

[Smudge-1 in reply to BTposse]

Not free, from memory think it's £15/MTH for those on certain benefits eg UC. Best check with them.

[BTposse in reply to Smudge-1]

Done. Signed up. Service starts 16th. £15! “Now that’s what I call a proper Bobby Dazzler” haha