well............ in a nutshell ...............
on the 30th March I received a letter from the DWP informing me that I was no longer eligible for ESA benefits ...
as of 28TH FEB !!!
on much digging I found that my payments had stopped as of the 16th March leaving me with f*ck all money on the day I was expecting to recieve my fortnightly payment.
On top of all the problems depression and anxiety etc cause, I have had to stop direct debits, speak to all the people involved, speak to CAB/Welfare rights and the job centre and try to start an appeal.
Now I am in the fortunate position of having a very supportive family and friends but I also have a history of self harm and suicidal thoughts, without this support network I dont' know what I would have done (well actually, I do). I'm still in limbo and awaiting a call to start the ball rolling for the appeal and to get payments started again.
this system is an absolute farce, how can they leave someone who is vulnerable (yes, I've said it) without money and without support. everyone I have spoken to have been rude or condescending or not in the slightest bit interested. I applied for a crisis loan .. I was offered 29 f*cking quid and not only that I was expected to pay 8 quid a week out of the pittance I get in benefits a week to pay it back
I am doing everything I can to return to health and get back to work, those who know me will be fully aware of my battle with depression, anxiety and social phobia. I am having counselling, doing a CBT course and doing everythign I can to battle this f*cking awful illness without a single piece of help from the system. My parents have funded the counselling and the CBT course is through the local Mind office.
On top of that where I live I am surrounded by drug addicts, drug dealers, ex criminals and asbo families who have no intention of working and are just a drain on society, yet I am the one who is being made to jump through hoops to try and get the help I so desperately need.
anyone else trying to deal with this absolutely crap system? the assesment I had ignored every single comment I made on the things I struggle with on a day to day basis and focused on the f*cking ridiculous like I could use a computer etc. the fact that on a day to day basis I can't cope was ignored and I was scored 0 on everything.
