Is there any alternative to benefits

Bluemidget wrote:

Sorry I am just learning to navigate the forum ...

Thank you for the info

Bluemidget

No need for apologies - fyi I'm still learning how to navigate the forum as well!

Regards

Michael

Hi when did you get your letter? You do not have to answer the phone if you can't, my friend was phoned by the benefits office three times a day for a few days until she got the local cmht to put a stop to it. She received her esa50 questionnaire 17 days after the date of her orginial letter telling her the benefits were changing, so she got her letter 27/08/11. the questionnaire turned up on 12/09/11, which she had to send back by 27/10/11. As said on other posts the process goes on regardless wether you answer the phone or not. Wish you lots of luck, thinking of you. Take care

in regards to the questionnaire and the descriptors, just explain in as much details as you can what a typical day with your illness is like. How much of the day is a problem for you and which descriptors do you have problems with and why, say about medication problems, side effects, it is all about reliably, variability, safety and repreatedly. Wish you lots of luck, use extra a4 if you have to. Pay a visit to your GP and apprise them of the situation and how your illness affects you day to day and what you have problems with, just write things down for them so they have a up to date record, prepare as much as you can a massive stressful situation, so warm wishes,

I think I got the letter saturday just gone .... I will try to give as much evidence as possible on the form but one area has me worried .. I was put on a phychiatric was some years ago after 2 suicide attempts. after this I lost trust im my G.P and Doctors in general scare me so do not atempt to see them unless in pain where I see an emergancy doctor att the local haspital.. Though I did see one a few months ago as my depression was at the point of me doing somthing ..

I told the doctor I did not want medication as the side effects of the large list of medication I have taken have always made matters worse..

I do not want to be locked up again and think I would rather end up on the streets than go through that again ...

Hi bluemidget,
Explain how the side effects affect you, how they make the illness worse, and that the depression has worsened. Do you have any contact with a gp or local cmht. If you feel like you could do something, please get help. My Gp has been really good when I felt bad, although i have had bad expereinces with doctors too, trust me. Hang in thre and thinking of you. In the guides there are exceptional circumstances rules in regards if you would be a danger to yourself or others if you were found fit for work. If you can read through the guides before the questionnaire turns up so you know what to include and how it affects your personal circumstacnes. Thinking of you. Hang in there, you are not alone with this.

Strangely enough right now I am feel ok(ish) though 3 am watching re runs of Jeramy Kyle is always a fun time .

Thank you for your kind words