Claiming IB

[madzone]

It's good of you to post the descriptors but i feel that you really should refrain from advising someone not to claim a benefit, because in your opinion it is 'extremely unlikely' that someone will not score enough to points. Any benefit advisor worth their salt always advises their client that, if in doubt, make a claim and see what decision you get. Otherwise, you're in danger of putting yourself in the wrong mindset for enabling people to understand and enforce their rights. And the taxable nature of IB has no relation to amounts of HB, in practice really.

Fair do's. I'm not a benefits advisor but I do claim IB and spent many years helping many other people claim IB. What I'm trying to point out is that with a diagnosis of mild depression and an unsupportinve gp it's highly unlikely that anyone would get IB. I was unable to walk and completely unable to function and it took a year (and endless stress) to get IB. I had clients who had schizophrenia /bipolar disorder/severe and totally incapacitating depression and it was a fight to get it for them as well. If wishface is finding claiming JSA stressful it's unlikely they'll find claiming IB any easier. In my deleted posts I actually said (amongst other things) that the best thing to do is to go ahead and try a claim - I deleted them as they contained other things that wishface probably wouldn't respond very well to. So, in essence I agree - wishface should get a claim form and see what happens (you can even download one). Regarding HB it's possible that a single male would go over the income threshold when receiving IB - I know single people who get reductions in HB because the IB has put them over the income threshold - it's the same with me. The taxable nature is highly relevant as (unlike DLA) they take it into consideration when assessng your allowances.

There's plenty of ways of finding out more - either by looking at the HB factsheets the Incapacity Benefit factsheet (which includes amounts you can claim and interestingly the gateway amount of IB seems to be less than a fiver a week more than JSA) or somewhere that will do the calculations for you like Entitled To. The question is what will be the reason that wishface can't do any of that?

My 'advice' is:

Ask for a referral to the CMHT
Change GP
Make a claim for IB

We'll see if that's deemed useful or not

ETA - since the reason wishface isn't claiming JSA any more is that it's stressful, is it wrong to point out that claiming IB is likely to be just as/more stressful? Have you ever met anyone who says 'Oh I wish I'd claimed IB ages ago, it was a breeze'?

 

[wishface]

I'm grateful for the advice. But there is no point in saying don't claim IB. JSA is no longer an option. They may refuse IB, they may not. I don't see the point in saying don't bother. Nor do I understand the point in saying i'm not prepared to do anything byt make excuses when you can't back that statement up and when that's not actually the case. That's obviously going to cause arguments and I didn't post this to look for arguments.

 

[madzone]

I'm grateful for the advice. But there is no point in saying don't claim IB. JSA is no longer an option. They may refuse IB, they may not. I don't see the point in saying don't bother. Nor do I understand the point in saying i'm not prepared to do anything byt make excuses when you can't back that statement up and when that's not actually the case. That's obviously going to cause arguments and I didn't post this to look for arguments.

I haven't said don't claim it - I've tried to point out (ad infinitum) that it's highly likely to be a very stressful procedure with no guarantee that you'll get it. Major difference there

And the evidence is on the thread that every time someone suggests something you have a reason why you can't do that particular thing. What CAN you do to help your own situation wishface? I remember you stating that there was absoloutely nothing you could do about eating healthily for different reasons - now you say that 2 dieticians have said your diet is fine so you obviously COULD make changes. I just think you need to apply the same resources to this situation.


Personal question wishface, which you obviously don't have to answer, but if you've signed off JSA what are you actually living on?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

... And the taxable nature of IB has no relation to amounts of HB, in practice really.

Can I just point out that claiming IB can affect HB and Council Tax Benefit.

Income Support is the qualifying benefit for HB/CTB so far as I know.

I don't know how it works with JSA, but I do know that if I were to claim IB *only* that my income would be assessed as 'too much' and over the relevant amounts, and that I would therefore be assessed as having to pay a contribution towards my rent and council tax.

It is best to seek advice about this particular aspect before claiming IB, because it's technically possible that a person might end up slightly worse off on IB than on, e.g. Income Support.

I appreciate that this doesn't help clarify the situation re: JSA v. IB, but knowing that a claimant in an IS v. IB situation might end up worse off on IB alone means it merits further investigation.

Also, I don't know what the situation is with prescriptions and stuff, and other 'fringe' benefits, for a person on JSA, but a person receiving Income Support qualifies for free prescriptions, dental, opticians and so on, but a person receiving IB doesn't (or they might be able to claim some back, but it's means tested, you don't automatically qualify).

Again, I'm sorry if throwing the IS v IB scenario into the ring causes any confusion, but I just wanted to point out that *nothing* with benefits is clear cut. It's like chaos theory and that butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon. Change one aspect of your benefits and it can have a knock on effect with things like HB, CTB, free medical/dental/optical stuff.

And if you think it's stressful claiming JSA, try dealing with the stress of a f'ed up HB claim and nearly getting evicted and a f'ed up CTB claim and being chased by bailiffs and being too scared to answer your phone or the doorbell.

Always, always, always take independent advice. Directed at claimants btw, not you Paulie, because I know you're on the other side of the fence.

 

[wishface]

I haven't said don't claim it - I've tried to point out (ad infinitum) that it's highly likely to be a very stressful procedure with no guarantee that you'll get it. Major difference there

Do you not think I realise that?

And the evidence is on the thread that every time someone suggests something you have a reason why you can't do that particular thing.

Give me one example of a suggestion that was actually possible for me to do. YOu could suggest fly to the moon and then complain when i point out the impracticality; would that be complaining for the sake of it?

What CAN you do to help your own situation wishface? I remember you stating that there was absoloutely nothing you could do about eating healthily for different reasons

That isnt true at all. I've said that I don't have the money or access to shops that sell ideal stuff. I'm not sure where you think I live but it ain't in the middle of town. THe local shops are terrible and I eat what I can at a price I can afford. That doesn't mean I don't try at all.

- now you say that 2 dieticians have said your diet is fine so you obviously COULD make changes. I just think you need to apply the same resources to this situation.

I have no idea what this means. I was told my diet was fine, that's it. Am I missing something?

Obviously it isn't given the situation with my blood sugar.

Personal question wishface, which you obviously don't have to answer, but if you've signed off JSA what are you actually living on?

i have some savings plus the remainder of my JSA. After that who knows.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Quote:
"Personal question wishface, which you obviously don't have to answer, but if you've signed off JSA what are you actually living on? "

i have some savings plus the remainder of my JSA. After that who knows.

In which case, wishface, you're cutting off your nose to spite your face. It's one thing having a really meagre income that you have to jump through hoops and it's really stressful to get.

But having no income is going to be worse.

What are you going to eat? How are you going to pay your bills? How are you going to pay your rent/mortgage?

Check out the following:
http://www.depressionalliance.org/
http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/what_we_offer/self_help_groups.html

"In an emergency it is possible to visit your local Accident and Emergency department and ask to see the duty psychiatrist. NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can also provide you with medical advice at any time of the day or night. Samaritans (08457 909090) provide 24 hour emotional support and Saneline (0845 767 8000) can provide information and crisis support. Saneline operates between 1pm to 11pm every day.

It is worth checking to see if the local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) can provide a crisis support team contact.

Please also visit our community links section for further support services."

http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/help/out_of_hours_crisis.html

Staying on here and arguing the toss with people and picking holes in everything they say isn't going to help you.

You need to check out the links on the above website and also check with Mind, and other organisations and try to get a support worker, or maybe a CPN or someone.
http://www.mind.org.uk/

 

[wishface]

THis is getting ridiculous. I have made the decision to sign off. If the worst comes to the worst i can sign back on. HOwever the system does NOT allow you to sign on and be unavailable for work, regardless of what their regulations might or might not say. If you also think i haven't thoguht this through you would be quite wrong.

i am also not 'staying on here and arguing the toss and picking holes' and if you think that then i'd rather you didn't respond because that's about as helpful a thing to say as saying nothing.

 

[madzone]

Wishface - how do other people manage to get jsa and have counselling at the same time? Hell, people even manage to work on the side and still claim. Do you think you might be overcomplicating things by telling the JC+ that you aren't available for work?

 

[wishface]

Other people are able to book appointments outside of working hours. That would require a private counsellor which I cannto afford. The local NHS counsellor operates during regular surgery (ie daytime) hours. And that is just the counsellor.

 

[madzone]

Other people are able to book appointments outside of working hours. That would require a private counsellor which I cannto afford. The local NHS counsellor operates during regular surgery (ie daytime) hours. And that is just the counsellor.

I meant other people receiving nhs counselling. Other people manage it fine - and as I said, some people even manage to work, go on holiday whatever. You've even been shown the regulation that says it's ok. Ask CAB about it and get them on the case if JC+ are being obstructive. Did you read any of the links I posted earlier?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

THis is getting ridiculous. I have made the decision to sign off. If the worst comes to the worst i can sign back on. HOwever the system does NOT allow you to sign on and be unavailable for work, regardless of what their regulations might or might not say. If you also think i haven't thoguht this through you would be quite wrong.

Having a one hour a week counselling session (which is probably all you'll get on the NHS) does not make you unavailable for work the rest of the time.

If, however, you feel incapacable of work, incapacitated through illness, then you should not just be signing off and fucking off the whole system, you should be getting sicknotes and switching to IB or maybe if it's that bad getting DLA/IB/IS.

i am also not 'staying on here and arguing the toss and picking holes' and if you think that then i'd rather you didn't respond because that's about as helpful a thing to say as saying nothing.

You are picking holes and being disagreeable just for the sake of it. People keep offering you advice and you keep ignoring it.

If you don't want advice, don't ask for it.

You asked for it. You got it. Don't them complain about the fact that you don't like it.

 

[Julie]

This is what gets me though - people saying 'You need this, you need that' without actually knowing what's available. What's available where you are may not be available where I am and vice versa. I don't think it does anyone any favours giving them false hope.

But no one is being prescriptive. "Now wishface, this is what you must do:...... ....... ....... etc, etc"

You're coming across as if the posts are directed at you. No offence madzone, but we're talking to wishface. You're projecting somewhat. Step away from the thread

And I truly think that we need to be encouraged to take more control over our own mental health when it comes to things like mild depression and mental discomfort.

I doubt anyone disagrees with this. That said, I find your point rather cold-hearted.

It's disempowering to be lead to believe that the NHS has all the answers if only we ask the right questions. It clearly doesn't.

I doubt anyone disagrees with this either. On the other hand, asking questions should always be encouraged where our mental or physical health is concerned, NHS or not.

You seem to be somewhat fixated on "no matter what's wrong with us, we must soldier on, not looking so much for outside help, but relying on our inner resources".

While that's all good and well madzone. It doesn't assist the person who can't identify the etiology of the condition nor conpletely comprehend the symptoms. Thus, what inner resources should wishface draw from?

 

[wishface]

I meant other people receiving nhs counselling. Other people manage it fine - and as I said, some people even manage to work, go on holiday whatever. You've even been shown the regulation that says it's ok. Ask CAB about it and get them on the case if JC+ are being obstructive. Did you read any of the links I posted earlier?

I've seen that information before, it has been posted on an earlier thread. You are not listening to me. I have no idea what other people do, perhaps you can tell me as you clearly think I'm lying. I'm not entirely sure how you think I'm going to be able to find a job that pyas enough to live on that allows a member of staff to take 1 morning/afternoon (maybe even both if the appointment time is inbetween) every week. Just saying 'other people manage' isn't an answer at all. I have no idea what people tell me if they don't themselves explain how.

I've already explained about three times as to how the jobcentre work, you clearly don't want to listen to fact. you HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR WORK. you can't be available if you are doing something else. I had exactly the same conversation about applying for an ecdl course where i was told i would have to do it during the evening because it would confilct with my claim. EXactly the same situation; a 2 hour a week college course.

That regulation is not designed to allow people to not work; if you are 'too ill' to work or you are getting treatment that compromises your availability then you are not legible for JSA. Do you not think I have spoken to them about this? Those are the rules; that regulation exists for people who have mild problems from time to time, such as someone signing on who gets a bug or the flu and is out for a couple of weeks. It isn't the same thing. If you are receiving a course of treatment over a longer period then you are not available for work.

Don't tell me i'm making up obstacles when i have spoken to the relevant people about all of this and found out how it actually works.

 

[wishface]

Having a one hour a week counselling session (which is probably all you'll get on the NHS) does not make you unavailable for work the rest of the time.

I didn't say it did, you are missing the point.

And counselling, again as i have explained, is not the only issue nor should it be the only treatment (since that alone woudl then be a waste of time). You are not reading what I am writing. I already mentioned the agaophobia symptoms (which i wouldn't label thus) - had I not told the JC they woudl have just stopped my benefit for not applying for the job inquestion for no reason. So it's stupid not to tell them, and irresponsible (and why should i lie and hide the truth? How would that help me?).

If, however, you feel incapacable of work, incapacitated through illness, then you should not just be signing off and fucking off the whole system, you should be getting sicknotes and switching to IB or maybe if it's that bad getting DLA/IB/IS.

That's the whole point!

You are picking holes and being disagreeable just for the sake of it. People keep offering you advice and you keep ignoring it.
If you don't want advice, don't ask for it.

You asked for it. You got it. Don't them complain about the fact that you don't like it.

I am not complaining about the advice and I'm not ignoring it and frankly I find that offensive. I have responded to every single post so please don't tell me I am ignoring people that's just rude. I already challenged someone to explain how i am doing what you claim i am doing and they still haven't backed their claim up.

It seems to me that I'm not the on being disagreeable at all. If there are reasons why certain courses of advice won't or can't work then it's the responsible thing to do to explain why; anything else is just a waste of everybody's time.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

ETA - since the reason wishface isn't claiming JSA any more is that it's stressful, is it wrong to point out that claiming IB is likely to be just as/more stressful? Have you ever met anyone who says 'Oh I wish I'd claimed IB ages ago, it was a breeze'?

No it isn't and that's what i think, collectively, people have been attempting to point out. However, there is a subtle difference between trying to help someone understand what may be difficult about claiming any particular benefit, and advising someone not to claim it. S'all really. However, this whole thing seems to be going round in circles, so i'm offski for now. Peace people, hope it all works out for the best wishface

 

[madzone]

But no one is being prescriptive. "Now wishface, this is what you must do:...... ....... ....... etc, etc"

You're coming across as if the posts are directed at you. No offence madzone, but we're talking to wishface. You're projecting somewhat. Step away from the thread



I doubt anyone disagrees with this. That said, I find your point rather cold-hearted.



I doubt anyone disagrees with this either. On the other hand, asking questions should always be encouraged where our mental or physical health is concerned, NHS or not.

You seem to be somewhat fixated on "no matter what's wrong with us, we must soldier on, not looking so much for outside help, but relying on our inner resources".

While that's all good and well madzone. It doesn't assist the person who can't identify the etiology of the condition nor conpletely comprehend the symptoms. Thus, what inner resources should wishface draw from?

With all due respect Julie it's not me who's projecting The people on this thread who rush to say 'Poor you' without asking what the OP can do to help them selves are the ones projecting IMO. You've said in another post that the OP should be receiving x,y and z without even contemplating whether this sort of service is actually available in the UK. Let me give you an example of how I feel about this thread. I had a colleague in mental health who hadn't moved anyone on in six years. The whole ethos of our service was taking people with mid range to severe mental health problems and assistng them in getting the skills/resources to be able to live independently. She hadn't managed it in 6 years - she created dependencies, colluded with the service users in only focussing on how bad their lives were and generally told them 'Poor you'. She constantly told them the services they were getting from the nhs weren't good enough and that they had every right to feel aggrieved. All that succeded in doing was reinforcing a sense of powerlessness in her service users and a feeling that the responsibility for their mental health was 100% someone elses. The service users who had the most success were the ones that realised that whilst they had a right to decent treatment that the responsibility for their mental health (and the rest of their lives) also lay with them. Have you read any Frankl Julie - it's truly fascinating and I believe that the mental health services should be adopting methods similar to those that got him through his time in a concentration camp.

Now, I agree that if the OP isn't getting the kind of service they feel entitled to from their gp then they should change doctor. If they don't feel they have the resources to do that then an advocacy service should be able to help. I also feel the OP should ask for a referral to the CMHT if they feel their symptoms are causing them significant discomfort. And I'll repeat, the OP should get a form for Incapacity benefit as soon as possible and attempt a claim. However, the OP seems to be unable to even get a book from the library to explore how nutrition may be affecting their symptoms, unable to listen to a relaxation cd, unable to claim a benefit that many other people in the same circumstances are managing to do pefectly well. Wanting to go on a benefit for people who are incapable of work and incapacitataed by illness (when the OP has already stated they are actually capable of work and have relatively mild symptoms) is obviously going to prove to be a stressful process. It seems, however, that the OP will not compromise on anything and only their absolute wishes are acceptable to them.

 

[madzone]

I've seen that information before, it has been posted on an earlier thread. You are not listening to me. I have no idea what other people do, perhaps you can tell me as you clearly think I'm lying. I'm not entirely sure how you think I'm going to be able to find a job that pyas enough to live on that allows a member of staff to take 1 morning/afternoon (maybe even both if the appointment time is inbetween) every week. Just saying 'other people manage' isn't an answer at all. I have no idea what people tell me if they don't themselves explain how.

I've already explained about three times as to how the jobcentre work, you clearly don't want to listen to fact. you HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR WORK. you can't be available if you are doing something else. I had exactly the same conversation about applying for an ecdl course where i was told i would have to do it during the evening because it would confilct with my claim. EXactly the same situation; a 2 hour a week college course.

That regulation is not designed to allow people to not work; if you are 'too ill' to work or you are getting treatment that compromises your availability then you are not legible for JSA. Do you not think I have spoken to them about this? Those are the rules; that regulation exists for people who have mild problems from time to time, such as someone signing on who gets a bug or the flu and is out for a couple of weeks. It isn't the same thing. If you are receiving a course of treatment over a longer period then you are not available for work.

Don't tell me i'm making up obstacles when i have spoken to the relevant people about all of this and found out how it actually works.

I don't think you're lying wishface, I think you refuse to compromise. On anything. You're totally convinced that you are 100% correct and nothing anyone can say will change your mind IMO. Why did you ask for advice and then spend the next x amount of pages complaining and disagreeing with it?

Did you read any of the links posted?
Have you got a claim form for IB -you can download one.
Will you change your GP?
Will you ask for a referral to the CMHT?

 

[madzone]

No it isn't and that's what i think, collectively, people have been attempting to point out. However, there is a subtle difference between trying to help someone understand what may be difficult about claiming any particular benefit, and advising someone not to claim it. S'all really. However, this whole thing seems to be going round in circles, so i'm offski for now. Peace people, hope it all works out for the best wishface

I ddn't advise them not to claim it.

 

[wishface]

'unable to get a book from the library?'

That's one hell of an assumption!

You suggest i change doctor; I told you I already had. Do you believe I have access to an unlimited pool of dr's?

'unable to listen to a relaxation cd?'

I HAVE relaxation cd's I told you this! Try listening to some early Autechre, OZric Tentacles, Laraaji, Eno, Bill Laswell. Bloody Hell, just because it's not some cheesy new age crap made by someone called 'Misty Buff' and her dolphin fart orchestra doesn't mean it's not relaxing.

I think it's unfair of you to say - and i bet this is the crux of the matter - i shoudn't be claiming IB because other people are more ill than I (well obviously). That's you projecting right there.

I also resent the inferrance that i am playing the 'poor me' card. That is certainly not the case. I already made it clear i intend for this to be a short term thing, and if it were true i certainly wouldn't sign off first.

 

[madzone]

'unable to get a book from the library?'

That's one hell of an assumption!

You suggest i change doctor; I told you I already had. Do you believe I have access to an unlimited pool of dr's?

'unable to listen to a relaxation cd?'

I HAVE relaxation cd's I told you this! Try listening to some early Autechre, OZric Tentacles, Laraaji, Eno, Bill Laswell. Bloody Hell, just because it's not some cheesy new age crap made by someone called 'Misty Buff' and her dolphin fart orchestra doesn't mean it's not relaxing.

I think it's unfair of you to say - and i bet this is the crux of the matter - i shoudn't be claiming IB because other people are more ill than I (well obviously). That's you projecting right there.

I also resent the inferrance that i am playing the 'poor me' card. That is certainly not the case. I already made it clear i intend for this to be a short term thing, and if it were true i certainly wouldn't sign off first.

I think you're getting too cross to make sense now and that's not a good thing.

Why did you change doctors before?

I don't mean Ozric Tentacles I mean specialised deep relaxation cd's. My occupational therapist gave me one and I bought and downloaded some others. They're guided relaxations/meditations, not just relaxing music - but I have said that before. You said earier in the thread that you couldn't do them because your surroundings are not conducive to listening to relaxation cds. I'd be interested to know more. It's a shame as they'd definitely help with feeling uncomfortable in crowded places etc.

And again - I haven't said you shouldn't be claiming IB - I've said that it's a stressful and difficult enough process for people who are incapacitated and truly unable to work. It's unlikely to be any different for someone with mild symptoms and who has already stated they can work. I'm certainly not 'projecting' - now you've picked up that word from Julie will we see it all the time now?

I haven't said you're playing the poor me card - I've said that people rushing to say poor you without actually considering what you can do to help yourself isn't actually that supportive.


Have you decided to try a claim for IB?

And just to clarify the regs for JSA

JSA reg 13. (1) In any week a person may restrict his availability for employment inthe following ways, if the circumstances set out apply.

(3) A person may restrict his availability in any way providing the restrictions are reasonable in the light of his physical or mental condition.

I'm sure your gp would have no problem writing a brief note to JC+ informing them that you've been referred for and are receiving nhs counselling

 

[wishface]

ok, this really is getting stupid. YOu obviously are not longer paying any attention because i already said the dr wrote them a note.

It's not that the JC don't believe you are seeing a counsellor it's about your availability for work. If you are restricting yourself then you are going to have a very difficult time meeting that reqireent. That regulation has no bearing on reality. I've just spoken to them about it and AGAIN the same thing applies: either you are available for work or you claim IB - regardless of how difficult that might be.

 

[madzone]

I think we're all au fait with what you're not going to do now, wishface. So, what ARE you going to do?

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

ok, this really is getting stupid. YOu obviously are not longer paying any attention because i already said the dr wrote them a note.

It's not that the JC don't believe you are seeing a counsellor it's about your availability for work. If you are restricting yourself then you are going to have a very difficult time meeting that reqireent. That regulation has no bearing on reality. I've just spoken to them about it and AGAIN the same thing applies: either you are available for work or you claim IB - regardless of how difficult that might be.

You have an illness that is disabling. Disabled is being affected by something for longer than 18 months (or less time if it's something like terminal cancer). According to the benefits regulations. Double check the exact definition, but it's something like that.

Then acquaint your local jobcentre plus with the Disability Discrimination Act. Any employer *must* make reasonable accommodations. Ask to see their disability employment adviser.

You *can* be classed as available for work even if you're unavailable at certain times due to reasons of disability/reasonable adjustments.

Tbh, though, I'm not sure that you are fit for work.

Your mental state seems to me to be such that you're incapacitated. You're unable to deal with the problem. And I don't say that lightly, because the system had the same effect on me, i.e. making what was a work-round-able condition impossible to work-round.

Sometimes the condition means you are capable of work but simply need reasonable adjustments in the workplace. But othertimes, the added stress of the medical condition + being fucked about by the benefits system = a person who is incapacitated and not able to work on medical grounds.

Anyway, I'm bored with repeating myself, but I'll say it one last time: Go to your GP and get referred to CMHT/local psychiatric/psychology services. Get indepdendent advice about benefits and claim something like IB or IB/DLA/IS.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

...I've just spoken to them about it and AGAIN the same thing applies: either you are available for work or you claim IB - regardless of how difficult that might be.

And AGAIN -- Disability Discrimination Act + reasonable adjustments (i.e. time off for counselling sessions for a recognised long term medical condition, i.e. disability) = available for work.

The average JC+ staff are unfamiliar with disability benefits and the DDA.

You need to speak with one of their specialist Disability Employment Advisers.

 

[wishface]

You have an illness that is disabling. Disabled is being affected by something for longer than 18 months (or less time if it's something like terminal cancer). According to the benefits regulations. Double check the exact definition, but it's something like that.

Then acquaint your local jobcentre plus with the Disability Discrimination Act. Any employer *must* make reasonable accommodations. Ask to see their disability employment adviser.

You *can* be classed as available for work even if you're unavailable at certain times due to reasons of disability/reasonable adjustments.

Tbh, though, I'm not sure that you are fit for work.

Your mental state seems to me to be such that you're incapacitated. You're unable to deal with the problem. And I don't say that lightly, because the system had the same effect on me, i.e. making what was a work-round-able condition impossible to work-round.

Sometimes the condition means you are capable of work but simply need reasonable adjustments in the workplace. But othertimes, the added stress of the medical condition + being fucked about by the benefits system = a person who is incapacitated and not able to work on medical grounds.

Anyway, I'm bored with repeating myself, but I'll say it one last time: Go to your GP and get referred to CMHT/local psychiatric/psychology services. Get indepdendent advice about benefits and claim something like IB or IB/DLA/IS.

why are you advising me to claim IB? That was my intention 5 pages ago!

Until i can be seen by the people at Friend there is nothing i can do regarding pursuing my GP/changing doctors or whatever. I need the advocacy service friend offers otherwise i will get nowhere as i have continued to. The changes made at my local surgery have really done for the place it seems. YOu can't just go in and start demanding things (especailly as i've already - for the umpteenth time - seen other doctors).

And i've been speaking to the disability officer at the jobcentre since christmas. that's the person i deal with. they know my circumstances regarding my problems/'disability'. I can bet you they will be aware of whatever acts, rules and regulations exist. HOwever peopel here seem to think they can just go in and demand this that and the other. It might seem reasonable but that's not how it works.

YOu are also missing the point about looking for work (and about my circumstances - it's NOT JUST ABOUT COUNSELLING!). Very few employers will take somone on who has 'issues', for want of a better word, over someone who simply doesn't. They may mean well, they may be nice as pie, but all that will happen is that you will get 'that' letter and they won't tell you why you didn't really get the job (do they ever?). So let's be practical about this.
The end result is that you remain signing on and unavailabel for work claiming a benefit that means you have to be available. If you aren't you have to make a claim for IB. YOu can't just tell someone to claim JSA because IB is difficult or they might not get it. That again isn't how it works.

 

[wishface]

I think we're all au fait with what you're not going to do now, wishface. So, what ARE you going to do?

everything i've said.

You obviously don't want to read clearly what I write.

 

[wishface]

Well i got a 6 week note from my GP and made an application. HOwever i just got a letter through from the decision peeps saying that my claim has been refused because i haven't paid enough NI contributions.

I wasn't aware this was the case or a requirement or whatever. Certainly no one said anything when i applied over that freephone number.

What can I do now?

 

[chymaera]

HOwever i just got a letter through from the decision peeps saying that my claim has been refused because i haven't paid enough NI contributions.
What can I do now?

As having sufficient NI contributions is a pre-requisite for many benefits, I advise getting to a Citizens Advice Bureaux for some expert advice.
Coming late to this thread I would also comment, if people do not have any mental problems before claiming Incapacity Benefit they probably will after the experience.

 

[wishface]

ive found out that i am entitled to Income Support instead so problem solved at least. Bit strange they don't tell you this at the same time, but that's the welfare state for you.

 

[madzone]

They do. It's on their factsheet that I linked you to on post 91.