I need a Rant

Could you not invoke the help of your MP again? Just cut and paste your GN rant into a letter if you can't bear to go through it all once more.
Many years ago I worked for the DHSS, as was, and I know that whenever we received a letter from an MP in support of a constituent we all jumped into action.

Feel free to rant Hopehope My thoughts are with you and your husband. I hope it all gets sorted for you soon

Hopehope Unbelievable! I congratulate you on not already having gone over the edge! The world seems to have gone mad. In my time I've done my fair share of filling in endless bits of paperwork, knowing full well that it would never be looked at, but it was a requirement of the job. I hope you made a note of the manager's name. I would be taking it further. Maybe your MP, especially if sitting on the government benches, would like to know what it is like for those people living with the results of their decisions. Nothing helpful to say other than I can fully understand why you're on the edge. Hugs.

Hopehope I am so sorry for your position & yes a rant does help. I had been on DLA since 2011, was on Incapacity Benefit now ESA. I attended my Interview April 2016 (form submitted in February 2016). I was granted PIP for care (just scraped in on 8 points) to be reviewed again next year, I reach State Retirement in 2021. I found the whole process relatively painless & the bonus for me is that as no-one claims Carer's Allowance I also get an extra payment on my ESA.

I have been through the whole refusal of Benefit, refusal of Appeal & gone to Tribunal for Incapacity Benefit. The Atos Medical was a joke as person conducting it didn't address any of my Health issues.The Tribunal however although it was stressful was a different matter & I was awarded sufficient points for my claim to be accepted, I was also described as "a very honest witness".

My DiL has also recently had her PIP assessment & been granted care & mobility higher rate components, so yes PIP is being given.

Please accept some of the advice given & I wish you all the best

Please go to the Doctor, CAB and your MP Don`t keep quiet about it, or you will get nowhere. Make as much fuss as possible. Best of luck.

This is
awful. There has been some good advice in other posts, so I hope you might find some positive support .
My very best wishes to you both.?

Its good to have a rant.Keeping it bottled up is not good for you health wise .
I live alone so at least I spare anyone else my ranting days
Its usually what comes in the post that starts me off.

So sorry to hear about your problems - I think anyone who has experienced form filling and assessments knows just how frustrating and distressing it can be. I know someone who had her DLA stopped simply because she got the appointment date mixed up - she is severely disabled ( cerebral palsy from birth) but has managed to remain independent all her life until now The way she has been treated is appalling as is the way all those who genuinely need the help! I really hope the suggestions from others above help you fight this injustice.

I am so sorry to read your post - a very anxious and stressful time for sure.

We have been through the PIPS procedure for our disabled son, who was receiving DLA prior to that. I found it easier to complete than the DLA forms. One thing to keep in mind, which we did upon advice, was to think of your DH on his worst days when completing the form.

Although we haven't used them ourselves, my late MIL did and she found them very helpful indeed - AGE UK - here's a link

www.ageuk.org.uk/

They are extremely good about giving advice, and can help to complete forms (in our experience) so perhaps it might be worth getting in contact with them.

I can understand that you're feeling stressed - no wonder! But what can be done to alleviate it, even for a short time? Well, I have learned some 'mindfulness' techniques. I switch off, go for walk, sit in the garden, look out of the window etc and noticing what's around you - the green of the grass, following a raindrop down the window, listening to birds, listen to your own breathing, watching the season change. Even a few minutes is enough to rest the mind. It's important for you to have 'me time' - however short that may be. It takes a little practice, but once you get into the habit you may find that it helps to get you through.

I've recently found a magazine called 'Breathe' - fantastic! A sort of 'well being' magazine. You can get it in some supermarkets like TESCO, or you can buy online. Here's another link www.breathemagazine.co.uk/

It's good to rant - get it out! We don't mind. Take care sweetie. xx

I have no words of advice, sorry, but send you my best wishes and some . Love Danni xx

Thinking of you. When my late DH was ill it was a constant battle to get anything and things are worse now. I'm afraid I have no useful ideas to help but do sympathise.

Sending my love and support and agree with others on GN about escalating this sorry situation not of your making to your MP or perhaps going to CAB, Age Concern or perhaps back to your Doctor. You should not be facing this alone. But of course you have all of us here, but you need the practical help on the ground you can find. xx

So sorry thinking of you, hope you get some more help from somewhere, what a wretched system

What is the situation coming to when you have to fight tooth and nail for your rights ! it is a disgrace ! ...I was going to suggest CBAm Age UK an MP but I see a lot of people have already suggested this ! Telephone your MP asap ,,,some have a 'surgery' where you can go in person for a face to face meeting ...and the lady who said a retired solicitor from Age UK came to the house would be a good idea !

10 months is too long to wait ...cynically I wonder if the DSS hopes that people will not survive that long !

Also, have you researched groups online for people with your husband's problems > sometimes they have gone through this and will be able hopefully to give you some advice

Horrible situation ..I feel for you and no, don't be apologetic about having a rant ....this is what we are all here for ! Hope you can get some help from these sources

Nain9bach you are right, the problem lies with the outsourcing, and the premise that this is a business contract; the assessors and advisers don't have the ability or authority to make decisions other than those on the guidelines issued on their contract with DWP. I do wonder how some poor souls manage; everyone on here is articulate and able, to a degree, to argue their corner and understand even the most obscure regulations, but what of those who don't have that ability? Don't have anyone to fight their corner? What happens to them? The treatment you and your husband have received is shameful, and is likely to make both of you ill with the stress of it all. Contact your MP, let him/her deal with this. These bloody people either came up with the policies or didn't do enough to fight against them so the responsibility lies on their shoulders. Make them bear the burden of this, it is only by constantly doing this that parliament will be aware of the distress out here. Meanwhile, on a personal basis, take deep breaths, and as others have suggested, try to take a little time for yourself, a massage can be great for unknotting the neck and shoulders and if your local college does a Health and Beauty qualification they are often looking for people to work on as case studies for a very reasonable rate. And carry on venting on here, our shoulders are broad.

Hi HopeHope I'm sending best wishes and am fuming on your behalf. No one ever tells you that you need dogged strength and tenacity to get through the system do they?

I take my hat off to you for finding your way through things so far and also for being so articulate and eloquent - these are vital skills in your 'fight'. I appreciate you feel close to the edge and having to explain yourself over and over is unbearable. I don't know if any of this is helpful or not - but taking on board all the great advice and direction already suggested in this thread, could you take a different view of things maybe even for the next fortnight?- say, dealing with things that need administering/contacting authorities/writing correspondence between the hours of 9am - 5pm if needed and then allow yourself some down time for the evening and night. I know you'll not be able to clear your mind completely but you might just be able to have enough of a break to be re-engergised for the next day. The system will drag you down if it could, it hasn't so far and you're not going to go under. Hold on to your hat and hang in there. We're all rooting for you and admire your gutsiness. xxxxx

Keep going! The tribunals are composed of human beings you know!

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this but please rant away! My daughter went through similar, day after day, month after month for over a year. We're all rooting for you and hope it will be sorted out sooner rather than later.

Yes, keep ranting! This is something that GN is good for, and you must now be aware that lots of us are feeling for you and wishing you well.

I've no experience of PIPS or DLA but I can say that AgeUK were brilliant when DM and I were trying to get advice about help for my DF. It sounds as if you're already well experienced in filling in the forms but just having them there helps.

There are several GNers who have considerable experience and helped me a lot when I was trying to get Continuing Care for my DM. Hopefully one may turn up but it sounds as if you're doing all you can.

Like Nona4ever, I worked in the benefits system, many years ago now. I am outraged by the way people are treated nowadays. The advice to cut and paste your rant into a letter to your MP us sound. We always jumped to it whenever an MPs letter hit the desk. Go for it! Also the advice to seek help from AgeUk and CAB is good, and to award yourself a little treat from time to time. and I do hope all works out. So sorry to hear about your stress.

Thank You so much, all of you. I am overwhelmed by all the support, good wishes, and excellent advice offered here. I was late last night, that's true, and after my rant here I did something I have never done before in my life. I called Samaratans. I just needed someone to talk to, and luckily was put through to a very pleasant and kind sounding Lady. Of course she cannot offer advice, and I didn't request any. It did me good to talk. Having said that I didn't get to sleep until well after 4 in the morning .

Today I feel better than yesterday, my Tummy is a bit iffy, but then stress always goes straight to my Tum! I called my MP, and spoke to his Office manager, She took all the details and said to leave it with her and she would call me back. Two hours later she did just that. she had spoken to two departments within the DWP, and to the People who do the assessments.

She brought up the fact that the form was filled in such a long time ago, and they have assured her that it will be taken into consideration that things have changed in that time. They did say if we submitted some more up to date medical information they may consider a paper assessment instead.

I have some new letters from the Doctor and Parkinson's Nurse( This is DH'sDisease). She told me they can do this on our behalf because if it comes from them it makes them sit up and take notice and not to push it to the bottom of the pile. Even if they still insist on a face to face assessment they know we mean business, so to speak.

So DH's medical info is sitting here waiting to be posted to the House of Commons tomorrow, and they will then send it to the assessors . I also contacted Parkinson's UK who apparantly work closely with the CAB. The lady there sent me a useful link about assessments, and also gave me a number for our local Rep( Who is ill with Flu right now). When it is time for PIPS she will come and meet DH, do a supportive letter, and also help with the form. The Lady I spoke with today said ( Not in any patronising way), Let us help with that, we do it all the time you do not have to do all this on your own. So alot of support now waiting in the wings,

Thanks again, all of you , especially to those sharing their own experiences, it isn't easy, and i hope I have not stirred up any stress for others. I will keep you posted,xxx

Excellent news, Hope. Just shows it's good to share your burden.

I'm glad you're feeling a bit more positive this evening, and I hope your MP's involvement means some backsides are being kicked!

You have all my sympathy - it is a disgraceful situation that the sadness of serious illness is compounded by unhelpful bureaucracy.

Before I retired I filled in so many of these forms on behalf of my clients - and in the end I used to sit and chat with them for an hour or so over a cup of tea, then go away and fill it in myself because I knew the buzz words that would press the right buttons to get what they needed. It was just a game that had to be played. When you are in these sad situations, you do not want to have to be playing games.

I feel incensed on your behalf Hope - it is a disgrace and I can only send you my commiserations.