How are Cameron & Clegg preparing our young people for the future?

Just a reminder and for those who don't know, The ConDem protest song against the cuts, "Liar Liar" by Captain Ska is on sale to download as of yesterday.Download by Saturday to count towards Number One for Christmas. Available for 79p from iTunes,tesco,emusic, napster and other download outlets, listed on link. Proceeds to charity Disability Alliance, housing charity Crisis, Womens Health Matters and False Economy. "]www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQFwxw57NBI Twitter campaign now on to get to Number One: search.twitter.com/search?offset_recent_...p e=recent&rpp=20 It is now the most watched non-profit video.

Congratulations and well done! Proud of you for taking a giant step by attending the Tribunal

When you say you signed on before, when was it? How long ago and for how long were you claiming?

Did you take the name of the person or people you spoke to? If so, ask to speak to the Centre Manager and make a complaint. I take it that if there is no money in your account tomorrow, that you will be ringing JCP to find out. If you are told again that they do not understand why you have not been paid ask them to look in the Jobseeker Allowance Payment System (Jsaps). If you are told that they will ring you in 3 hours and nobody calls. Remember to take the persons name and ring him/her back. Then politely but directly ask him/her to explain to you their (JCP) customer charter. Good luck

Hi Hadenough I hope you don't mind me giving you this advice but to minimise reprisal, I would keep your letter short, sweet and to the point. The reason for this is that having read the above i.e. the word for word account, it would appear that this Nurse has chosen her words carefully to avoid recrimination. See below "Anxiety and depression, under care of XXX mental health team for counselling and taking anti-depressants". Here she has stated a fact which is to your advantage. Attended examination centre alone and walked 90 mins to get there. (How far away do you live? How long would it take if you were fit and healthy? - What if anything is she implying?) Again she has stated a fact but you need to look at what you have written (your answers) on your ESA 50 to establish how this could be detrimental to your appeal. For example what was your answer to Do you feel confident enough to leave home on your own and go out to places you know? Despite depression anxiety and insomnia is self caring and manages most activities of daily living without assistance. Again up until she states "and manages" is fact i.e. you do suffer with depression, anxiety and insomnia and are self caring. Interestingly she has stated you manage MOST activities and not ALL. Again look at your answers on the ESA 50 to see what it is she is implying here. Mental state examination normal, with no expression of suicidal intent or selfharm. Despite making reference to suicidal intent etc in you ES50, if you did not tell her on the day that you were suicidal or that you intended to selfharm then she is stating a fact. However, with regards to her saying that your mental state was normal, it would appear a contradition in terms i.e. she has already acknowledged the fact that you are under the care of XXX mental health team for counselling and taking anti-depressants. What examination did she conduct to justify this statement? More importantly, what experience does she have of mental health? Again look at your answers on the ES50. As with all conditions, people get good and bad days. "I note, despite complaining of problems with concentration the appeal letter is 10+ pages long with no evidence to suggest completed by 3rd party." Did she ask you at the medical who had written the appeal letter and/or how long it took to write? If not then this is pure conjecture. Another point, if your mental state examination was normal, she is again contradicting herself as she is acknowledging that you informed her of problems with concentration i.e. "despite complaining of problems with concentration" Now I don't want to get your hopes up but if it is any consolation, I have seen much worse reports with people who have won their appeal. Now go prepare for your appeal by gathering as much evidence as you can from the people who know you and how your condition affects you. Remember, DWP, the Nurse etc are not the judge and jury.......The Tribunal are!!! They are interested in facts and evidence. They are not dull, they know that conditions fluctuate, they know that mental health doesn't stop people from walking, they are also aware that Medical Health Practitioners promote and advocate exercise. They are also aware that you wouldn't be under the care of XXX mental health team for counselling and taking anti-depressants without good cause. Best wishes

Hi John You might find the following link helpful too! http://www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect/moneyandlegal/carersbenefits/Pages/CarersAllowance.aspx

Hi Hadenough, Since my last post, I have given your letter much thought. I agree you should write and challenge the Nurse who from what you have written has made assumptions about you that aren’t based on any evidence. I would also check his/her wording in your letter with regards to you attending the examination alone and taking 90 minutes to walk there. Is he/she stereotyping you? He/she might be in breach of the DDA 1995 extended in 2005 e.g. Disabled people portrayed as being unable to function in home lives, family life, employment, social lives without the help and support of non-disabled people. You are protected by the act if your condition has lasted at least 12 months or is expected to last 12 months or is recurrent.

Hi Hadenough It is good that you have written your thoughts on paper but please give yourself time to evaluate and think this through rationally. You have written some excellent valid points but in your anger you have contradicted yourself i.e. "Even if I had someone to come with me I would have refused, I expected a thorough mental examination so wouldn‘t have wanted anyone close to me to know just how bad I was/am" and "I have managed to do this with the help of my brother, ex-girlfriend. " I had similar paperwork sent to my son prior to a DLA Tribunal where a DWP Decision Maker tried to defend their corner. At the time I was so stressed out caring for my son and working that despite having old and new evidence that could blow their defence wide open, I just didn't have the strength to put pen to paper. Nevertheless, despite my non response my son was awarded middle rate care and lower rate mobility. The Chairman at the Tribunal said that the medical evidence was jumping off the page and screaming at them. Best Wishes

Good news! Benefit received following some confusion their end.

Did you take the name of the person who tried to force you to complete the form there and then? They were quite within their right to issue you with an ES195RE in person but you also had the right to take the form away with you, complete and return within 7 days. If I were you I would write a letter of complaint to the Jobcentre Manager and pp it to your MP. Don't bother complaining using the DWP1018 form, it doesn't have as much clout as a letter clearly showing you have copied your MP.

Gosh you learn something new everyday. Just goes to show what lousy training I had whilst employed at the Jobcentre. Greer, when an Officer takes Refusing Employment Action (RE) they have to issue you with an ES195REJP form i.e. Dear _____ A doubt has arisen on your claim for Jobseeker's Allowance as it appears that you may have refused an offer of employment/training opportunity. etc, etc. You were notified of an employment/training opportunity with ________________ on ______________ which you refused/failed to apply for/failed to accept. etc etc. It goes on to state Before I refer your case for a decision, please state on the reverse of this form, the reasons why you refused/failed to apply for/failed to accept the opportunity offered. You are then given 7 days to return the form explaining why you failed to take advantage of the opportunity. If you do not return the form it is assumed you do not wish to comment. Now this is the important bit JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID AS USUAL UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE. If a decision maker decides you do not have a good reason and you are sanctioned, they should send you leaflet (JSA10JP) explaining how to make an application for payment of JSA under the hardship provision. Another point, when issued with a ES195REJP, you should also have been issued with an ESL48JP explaining when and how your allowance is affected, how long they take and what happens if the decision is favourable.

Oh banksarggg, as stated by catkin, loop and tina above, you did many things today that you should be proud of! Now put your feet up and get some sleep as you must be shattered. If there is anything I can do to help you prepare for the home visit, you just have to ask. I am new to this site so am unsure how you go about emailing me. I do have some experience of these visits and other experience which might be of assistance to you xx

Hi Struggling, I hope you don't mind me making suggestions but if I were you I would speak to CAB, Welfare Rights or a Community Legal Advice team. I would also go back to see your MP and update him. Best wishes