**Benefit advise wanted/needed

[wolf63]

I have been on Incapacity Benefit since 2004 - I have a civil service pension (DWP) which is taken into account.

I got a letter at some stage telling me that I need send in no medical certificates. I have bipolar disorder - the medication and illness has fried my memory and brain.

There has been much talk about getting people off the sick and into work and of a transition period from IB to ESA. I know that I am not fit for work but am concerned about the possibility of losing my IB.

None of my buddies still unlucky enough to work in DWP is able to help and the DWP website is useless for stuff like this.

Susan

[wolf63]

should the advise be advice?

[brenda]

yes it should, but am sure we all understand --you have enough to worry about.

[factor-fiction]

It can't be nice being in your position. It is right though that thorough reviews need to be made as to whether those on incapacity benefit could handle some kind of work. I think many people on incapacity benefit are unable to work but a few are avoiding work and others have become used to being dependent on the state and persuade themselves they are unable to work. It would be intersting to see what would happen if incapacity benefit were reduced significantly- I am sure some would rediscover the ability to work.
In reality many governments have talked tough on this topic but have found it hard to tackle it effectively.

[TCL-MUMPING]

There has been some guidance issued as to the line to take when claimants ask about the transition so if I were you, I'd 'phone the BDC and ask them .

[wolf63]

TCL - BDC? I know What The Funicular, MIA, BBC, MDF, SSPCA - am I close?

I was lucky enough to have almost 25 years (+6⅔) service when I was retired off from Debt Management in a local office. I thought that not having a job would make my illness worse, but it didn't and it did cut down on the stress. When I look back and see that I was calculating benefit overpayments (inc. prosecutions) it makes me shiver - and makes me hope that the adjudication officers were actually checking me work. I was a liability and a loose cannon.

Susan

[sara3]

Benefit Delivery Centre. I think it's where the processing of your claim takes place. the number would be on any benefits letters you receive.

[ttfn]

Benefit Delivery Centre Susan (:-))

[TCL-MUMPING]

Benefit Delivery Centre, the folk processing the benefits are based there.

[wolf63]

Factor - you are right. I have been doing voluntary work in an Oxfam book shop for the last couple of years. A couple of the other volunteers are unemployed but don't want a job - one actually seems incapable of working unless he is constantly told what to do (he is 45) and wanders around reading a comic book.

But the majority of people who are without employment are keen to find work.

Brenda - I have to admit that I find it difficult not to correct people on there spelling in AB. My understanding of grammar is pretty average - I can't criticise other people in that matter.

[wolf63]

BDC's - what happened to local offices?

Anything else change since I left in 2003?

[sara3]

if you've done 25 years in the Civil Service you must know that nothing remains the same for more than about a year!

[CherryBea24]

Hi Susan

Check out Work and Benefits website http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ its a really good site. Its even worth the membership I have been a memmber for a while, people are being changed over from IB to ESA graduallly even though you don't have to send in sick notes you will still have to fill out the work questionaire and attend medicals.

Hope this helps

Cherry

[wolf63]

Thanks Cherry - will have a look at that site and see if it helps.

[themas]

People on IB will be assessed and - if they pass the assessment - changed over to ESA on a gradual basis. I believe this is going to start this October.

Do remember that if you fail the assessment that is not the end of the matter. There has recently been a lot of criticism of the ESA assessment process (particularly for mental health problems) so if you do fail you must appeal. A lot of appeals are successful. If you feel you need help when the time comes, you can ask your local CAB or other free welfare benefits advice agency.

[dragongiraffe]

There is a lot of current flack re: folk who should be "actively seeking work", not doing so. Consequently there is a national benefits audit in place. I think your'e just caught up in it. But get in touch with Disability Alliance (T:020 7247 8776 - e: [email protected]) + have a chat with your GP re: any stress/hassle this is causing you.
Also contact Disability Rights Comm (T: 0845 762 2644; e: [email protected])

[wolf63]

Thanks Themas and dragongiraffe.

I am very grateful to all the information that has been supplied.

Have a nice Easter.

Susan

[dragongiraffe]

Hi Susan; Hope you can appreciate that some of what I knew, last time, I couldn't put on site.
You'll be aware now that Drs will shortly be obliged to state on "sick notes", the work a claimant can do rather than not do.
Hence the reasons in many cases for not requiring med. certs., etc. You will be required to attend random medicals sometimes.

[dragongiraffe]

BDC's were hived off to raise the revenue to pay MP's expenses!!!

[wolf63]

Dragongiraffe - I will wait and see what happens. I got my last med cert from the doctor in about 2004/2005 when the DWP advised me that I had to forward no further certs.

I am off to try and find and catch my cat to give him his asthma inhaler. Not an easy task!