Benefits, ESA, housing etc?

[Raven]

Anyone experienced in this?

I was awarded Employment and support allowance earlier in the year but failed my medical with the extremely corrupt ATOS. They took my benefits away from me, which was a real stress because my partner is off sick and is only getting SSP now so we are down about £850 a month once they take away my ESA, that puts us down about £1050

The council then saw their opportunity to kick me while I was down. They got wind of my ESA being stopped and assumed it was because I had began working and suspended my housing benefit too.

They wont reinstate in until they have proof im not working, that I have appealed my ESA decision and have a letter from my blokes employer about going down onto SSP (his work are dragging their heels!!!). I challenged the woman, saying why when you are aware that we are in serious financial difficulties would you see it appropriate to worsen the situation by suspending my housing benefit??? She didn't give a monkeys!

So I'm sat here with no ESA, £850 down a month, no housing benefit and a child to feed.

no idea what the hell im going to do!!!!

[Stellata]

I was going to say get thee down to the CAB. Or Mind.

[Raven]

i havent been to CAB, i went to a place called the advice shop when i failed my medical and they have submitted my appeal and will be representing me at my tribunal. apparently it takes 3 weeks for the appeal to reach the right people and then my benefit will be reinstated until the tribunal. so hopefully not long until i get that back.

we have a friend coming down this week to see us, hes a solicitor and has worked for CAB, hes going to go over our paperwork and draw up a couple of letters for us, give advice etc.

fingers crossed he can help us, the CAB round here is rarely open because of staff shortages. I cant believe its got to this stage, the council are out of order imo - i contacted them for help and was told they require proof from my partners employers that hes on SSP. thats reasonable, i told them i was on it just waiting on the letter. instead of just leaving the benefit as it was until they got the info and reassessing it then they have just made matters worse by suspending the benefit.

no amount of arguing will make them budge either, i went on at them about how i have a child to feed and they are not interested.

[I am a cat]

Im not to good with these situations and can only feel for you.

However if you are really currently struggling for money you could apply for a crisis loan from the government, I think your more than entitled.

Heres a link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...me/DG_10018856

[Mandimoo]

would your partner be better off on incapacity benefit or disability living allowance - or both? mand x

[Raven]

thanks sammi i will keep that in mind. at the moment i have extended my overdraft, but a crisis loan is always an option i will keep in mind.

mand, we are going to DLA as i was advised both of us could be entitled to an element of this...incapacity is no longer receiving new applications. thats been replaced with employment and support allowance which was what i was on. to be honest, after what i have been through with ESA, i would not like to see jamie go down that road too. the company who conduct the medicals are corrupt, right to the core.