I need a Rant

Apparently not. Retirement Benefit doesn't have to be applied for in the same way - otherwise I suspect we would have to fight for it!

If retirement pension isn't a benefit, then does it follow that all contributory benefits ( as opposed to means tested ones) are equally not benefits?

(I know - retirement pension isn't a benefit, but it does often seem to be classed as such)

It's a devious ploy. People are regularly turned down on their first application, or even renewals as it supposedly weeds out those applying 'just on the offchance'. They don't bother to come back. It's across the board. It seems to cover all and any benefits (apart from retirement pension!) as an effort to save money. The theory seems to be that applicants who are borderline, can survive or manage without will often drop out and not bother. Only the desperate and needy will fight on. It's a sort of theoretical underhand Means Test. They fail to realise(or care) that often the most needy are those who have no one to fight for them and no strength to fight for themselves.

SKweek1. It sounds as though you are going through the mill too, it is a disgrace, and makes me so angry. My DH has middle rate care of DLA and high for mobility. Why do you say apply to AA if he is turned down( When the time comes). IF he is turned down we will fight it, not settle for less when we know he is entitled to it.

The one he has coming up in a few weeks is a work capability assessment so not to do with disability as such, if you see what I mean. He was deemd fit four and a half yrs ago got zero points, so we appealed, they changed their minds prior to it getting as far as the Tribunal.It has been so long before this second assessment due to them being so inefficient.
My point is that if he was not fit four yrs ago, and he has a condition which worsens, how can they possible say he is fit to work now.It is crazy.A disgrace and a total waste of money. These people seem to have no common sense, and no brain. I despair.

Like all the other posters, I am really sorry to hear what a tough time you are going through right now, and as I'm currently going through it all myself - 2nd time around, for ESA, and recently awarded PIP, my advice would be, have a good scream or cry to release all of the pent up stress.

Then, I would suggest that you contact the DWP and request that they do a 'home visit' for your hubbies assessment. When they see you in your own environment, I think it helps them to see you as a person, rather than a 'client', and also 'wrong foots' them to some extent, as suddenly they are in a less comfortable position as a visitor, while putting you in a more comfortable one, both physically and mentally.

I requested a home visit for the 'PIP' and as usual was stuck in bed, in a lot of pain. The assessor could see all of the paraphernalia I keep on my bedside table, and by the side of my bed, ie, drugs, drink, 'helping hand' tool, stuff to keep me entertained, etc. Observing all this, I think helped her to see things as they really are, rather than how they might appear in an office environment, and resulted in my being awarded PIP without any further hassle.

I know how stressed you must both be by all of this, as after my first ESA assessment, the nurse I saw reported that I would be 'fit for work in 18 months'! I hadn't actually been able to work for 13 years by that time, and had been in such pain while in her office that I'd had to take morphine!! Hence ensued a long battle with them to get myself put into the 'support' group. I kept a diary for 2 weeks which happened to be over the Christmas period, and sent it in with all of the other stuff for the tribunal. We left early on the day of the tribunal to ensure we weren't late due to traffic, etc. but when we got there were told that the judges had been trying to get hold of us to stop us having a wasted journey, as they had already 'found in my favour'! Funny how the DWP couldn't have done that!!

Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world with your claim, and if you need support at ANY time, please feel free to send me a private message.

I'm so pleased that you have been able to access the help that is available and sincerely wish you well through the various stages of your application. Well done!

It is a disgrace that our society puts the most vulnerable people through this stressful ordeal repeatedly just so that they can claim the support that they are entitled to. I don't think the process of constant assessments even saves the government any money as the costs of the assessments, and of holding the tribunals, outweighs any supposed cost savings.
I do hope it all works out for you and your husband Hope.

It's so infuriating. The help should be there. The words sound right. But it's only theory. So many obstructions are put in the way to stop payments being made. Ggggrrrrrrrrr!

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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'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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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