Bang goes my DLA Tribunal.....

lorica

I have spent most of the day in a depressive mood, I saw my GP this morning, everything was generally ok except my blood presure was high, but not quiet high enough to warrant any medication... Something else to add to my list of problems.

Then things went from worse to anger... I had a meeting with a solicitor to discuss legal aid and preperation for tribunal. The solicitor announced you dont qualify! I get to much SSP... then when the solicitor found out i was married and my wife worked she said deffinatly didnt qualify, then she remembered i was entitled to an allowance and with the allowance I would qualify BUT I would have to pay the first two hundred pounds..... what is the point of having legal aid there is no way I can afford the fees so yet again i find myself feeling depressed a long walk off a short pier was so attractive.

Why can I not get anything, my ssp runs out in a couple of weeks so what the hell am i supposed to do I just feel like a waste of space and insignificant, I have nothing positive to say about myself now. But arthur just will not stop I can hardly walk at the moment the pain in my hands and wrists have been so painful, and the stess on my marrage is just beyond a joke....

dreamdaisy

Arthritis is a stressful disease. It not only affects the one that has it, the knock-on effects are equally dreadful. Coming to terms with it all is not easy, either for you or your wife. Does she see you as worthless and useless? I hope not: I hope there is still some love for you, somewhere.

Spouses can struggle with it all as there is nothing they can do to help one feel better. I don't say much about it all to my husband, there is no point. He, currently, is upstairs sound asleep. I, currently, am downstairs, wide-awake with pain. He can't fix it, I can't fix it, the drugs don't fix it, BUT I am still the person I always was. Somewhere, in this arthritic mire, is me. It's not his fault, it's not my fault, it's life.

These are not easy times for you, lorica: we all face times like this, every now and again. I hope the meth begins to have some effect on your arthritis, I hope that you can find some peace within yourself, some extra strength from somewhere, and that you do not let the arthritis win. DD

skezier

Hi Mark,

I am sorry its all so bad just now. Its no wonder with all this and a back drop of pain you and your wife are being swamped by it all.

I don't know how the benefit things work but could you ask your solicitor ( and I actually wonder if your one is well up on this kind of stuff) about either a deferred or split payments?

Its not at all surprising that your bp has gone up there! stress is the most likely reason and I so wish I new some answers for you. I really hope someone can help and wonder if just a talk to the helplines would at least help with some of it? I don't know if you think phoning them in the morrow is a good idea? Their number is at the top f the page and I have rung them and they really are so good at calming you down and helping to get your head round everything.

I so hope there will be a solution soon. Cris x

lululu

Hi Mark you need to get all the facts you can on your finanacial situation to see if maybe you are missing out on something, have a look in your local phone book and ring round them all someone may be able to help, money does not cure but when life is hard it sure is better if you don't have to worry about paying the bills.

chicara

Hi

I'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain and had such an awful time at the solicitors. I don't know how the legal aid system works so can't give you any advice on that one I'm afraid. However I have for a few months now been a member of a web site called Benefits and Work(hope I'm not breaking any rules here), I've only got free membership so receive an email telling me of their campaigns for DLA, ESA etc. If you pay full membership they provide information on claiming benefits including DLA, how to appeal and what to do at a tribunal. As I've said I only have free membership so cannot comment on how good they are but there are a lot of people who have posted on their forum about having DLA reinstated, winning tribunals without legal help etc. I think full membership is around £20 a year - a lot less than £200. I just wondered if it may be worth paying to see if they can help. If you google Benefits and Work their web site should be at the top of the first page.

I hope your pain settles to a more manageable level very soon and good luck with the DLA.

Take care

Chicara

dorcas

Hi Mark,

I'm so sorry that things are so bad for you just now.

If your SSP runs out then you will be advised to apply for ESA. (contribution based rather than income based)

Perhaps you would then be in a position to re-apply for Legal Aid for this tribunal?

please consider speaking with CAB or a Welfare Rights officer at your local social services or 'one stop shop' for advice.

I am so sorry Mark... this is so hard for you. Phone our helpline peeps... it does help to talk things through and keep posting so we can in some small way support you.

Iris xx