surviving without work

[Thora]

Where are you people signing on?!?

Again, according to the rules (and how far do you want to push them!), after 3 months they disregard those conditions and expect you to widen your search parameters.

I was signing on in south east London. I never had any hassle off them until I was New Dealed - is that after a year? 6 months? Can't remember.

 

[geminisnake]

e.g. depresion, anxiety?

Bit more complex than that, and I'll leave it to him if he wants to go into details tbh

I was originally signed off with stress, since then I was involved in an accident and have an acquired brain injury and a dodgy shoulder.

 

[wishface]

I was signing on in south east London. I never had any hassle off them until I was New Dealed - is that after a year? 6 months? Can't remember.

I really cannot believe they gave you such an easy ride!

 

[wishface]

Bit more complex than that, and I'll leave it to him if he wants to go into details tbh

I was originally signed off with stress, since then I was involved in an accident and have an acquired brain injury and a dodgy shoulder.

I don't mean to pry but i am curious how you found it making the claim for stress, dealing with doctors etc. I ask because i am planning on visiting my gp with stress as well. I don't feel particularly confident about it, but right now im stresstastic. THanks.

 

[Mellow-world]

Bit more complex than that, and I'll leave it to him if he wants to go into details tbh

I was originally signed off with stress, since then I was involved in an accident and have an acquired brain injury and a dodgy shoulder.

More injuries equal more money? Would depression and anxiety get you incapacity benefit?

 

[geminisnake]

M-w, no idea if depressions and anxiety will get you IB, I hadn't paid enough stamps to get it. Also no idea what kinda money I might get re litigation, it's still ongoing

Wishface, I originally burst into tears at the GPs. It was the closest I hope I'll ever be to a breakdown, not good. I just had to renew my line every month for 6 months iirc, then I had to go see the soc doc about a yr later. A yr after that I had to see him again but it was less than a yr after accident. I haven't seen him since(now 3yrs after second visit) Money went up to allow for sickness after a yr I think.

 

[subversplat]

More injuries equal more money? Would depression and anxiety get you incapacity benefit?

1) Not quite. Longer term illness (over a year) gets you more money than short term.

2) Yes. It's actually easier (you need less "points" - the system they use to decide how incapacitated you are) to get signed off mentally than physically.

 

[subversplat]

I really cannot believe they gave you such an easy ride!

My experience of three different jobcentres across the country have been the same. Six months of free money then intensive New Deal hassle.

 

[Thora]

I really cannot believe they gave you such an easy ride!

Not only that, for a while they didn't make me come in to sign, I just had to phone up once a fortnight But then I kept forgetting to phone so they made me come in again