After more hours on hold to various DWP departments than I care to think about and several discussions with concerned, expert DWP advisors about whether it would be better for me to do permitted work than full on employment....
I've managed to sign off ESA! Quite why it is such a difficult process is beyond me, the automated systems the DWP are using reduced me to tears, but all the staff I actually spoke to were excellent. This doesn't bode well for the 'digital by default' futureproof benefits planning the DWP are hanging everything on currently.
So having decided I can only face dealing with one benefit department per day, today's task is to try and sort out housing and council tax benefits.
And to try and squash the panic triggered by yesterday's DWP advisor asking me if moving into work was a change of circumstances for DLA. I don't see why it should be given I'm working part time from home in my pyjamas*. But, if that question does trigger the system as a change of circumstances it will also trigger an application for PIP.
There's simply no way I can remain in employment without DLA. There's also no way I can manage to juggle coming off several benefits, applying for several different benefits, deal with the social care implications, actually do my job AND apply for PIP.
So, should this be treated as a change of circumstances and the PIP forms arrive I'll have no choice but go to straight back onto ESA and stop working.
I'd really like to congratulate the government on having spent obscene sums of money on 'welfare reform', terrified disabled people and somehow managed to make it MORE difficult to move into work. As achievements go...that's quite an impressive one..
*frequently smelling of sick, so it's a good job I'm avoiding face to face meetings!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Journey to Work Part 3 - My First Day - I seem to still be on ESA..
Today is my 1st day of paid work in over 10 yrs. Exciting/terrifying. Fortunately tax credits top up not UC as UC means not enough to work
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Which is a crying bloody shame. A simplified support system would make work easier but not one that provides £4000 p/a LESS than tax credits
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Was going to phone benefits enquiry line to find out who to phone at DWP to end ESA claim. Benefits inquiry line been closed down
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Just a wee hint @DWPgovuk but it'd be handy if you had some easily available info on who to tell & how when you've been on ESA & find work
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Can I count copious vomiting before 9am as a work related achievement?
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Plan 1 - try to unclaim ESA via the ESA claim line. #Fail
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Plan 2 - try phoning local JobCentrePlus - options are 'get a new job', new benefits claims, appointments. #Fail 2
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Random selection of options in desperate hope of getting through to a human #Fail 3
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Now attempting to claim tax credits in the hope they'll also know how to stop the ESA claim..
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Two questions in and I can't answer the bloody automated tax credits questions. ARGH!!!!
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Honestly. It's like they want me to commit benefit fraud or something. @DWPgovuk please can you help & tell me who to tell I've got a job?!
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Trying to claim tax credits attempt 2. Attempt 1 failed because despite apparently being articulate I can't cope with automated questions
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Finally through to nice tax credits human Application form will be with me in 2 weeks. He seems bothered by no easy way to notify DWP of job
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
I give up. Opting for the 'claim new benefits' option as can't get through any other way. If it's automated I may scream
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Finally on hold to what is, hopefully, the ESA helpline. Overjoyed I've spent 1st day of new job trying to tell DWP I've got said job
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Hmm. Just checked timeline. I have a worrying feeling the ESA helpline is where I started some time ago...
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Now through to a very lovely lady in Bootle. "You want to stop your claim? Are you sure?"
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Asked lovely Bootle lady what happens if in six months time I'm too sick to work. She's never heard of linking rules & is reading guidance
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Somebody at @gdsteam please read @Bendygirl's tweets applying for tax credits. It takes a heart of stone to follow that UX without laughing.
— Gordon Rae (@socialtechno) March 10, 2014
LovelyCarer now dancing to the blasting sound of bloody Vivaldi coming from phone. She says abuse line is better cos it plays Greensleeves
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Accuracy note - LovelyCarer may or may not have made up that bit about fraud line & Greensleeves. It's impossible to tell..
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
As auspicious first days at work go...this is a good'un. Vomiting and endless calls to the DWP.
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Linking rule used to be 104 weeks. Scrapped in 2012. Now you get 13 weeks and after that they close your claim.
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Lovely Bootle lady is worried about me starting work due to 13 weeks cut off to return to ESA if too poorly for work.
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
She's now arranging for advisor to phone me to check whether I'd be better off on permitted work-if 104 week rule still existed it'd be work
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
So, all in all I'm declaring today a resounding success. Vomiting, endless helplines & I think I'm still on benefits. Employment FTW!
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Work is supposed to provide a sense of achievement right? Well I have worked hard this morning yet somehow not achieved anything..
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Enjoyed 1st day of still being on benefits but working because I can't work out who to tell. Too tired now. Guess I'm still a scrounger..
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Nice DWP permitted work man phoned. So confused. My brain may explode. And still on benefits. I think...
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014
Listening to @afneil interview IDS whilst embedding 'my 1st day at work, seem to be still on benefits' tweets blog http://t.co/UjVm4kUBUu
— BendyGirl (@BendyGirl) March 10, 2014