Quote:
Originally Posted by DanaC
These days I believe a gap in your regular benefit is somewhat ameliorated by crisis payments of a much lower value.
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Don't you believe it!
The tabloids will have it that Crisis Loans are used by scroungers for foreign holidays and drink binges.
My experience was VERY different.
I had my Incapacity Benefit Assessment in March? April? I'm being honest - I now don't know the exact date. I was completely honest, as I have always been with every aspect of the Benefits Service. I explained that I was volunteering and working towards a full-time job, but currently I felt that the symptoms of anxiety and depression would affect any employment that I took in the short term and would mean a return to benefits.
MONTHS later (again - I can't specify, it's probably here somewhere) I was sent a letter to tell me that according to my assessment I was fit to work, therefore my benefit was stopped - backdated to the time of my assessment. This was only a week before my next payment was due - the sole payment I received and the one I counted on to pay all my bills.
I applied for unemployment benefit a couple of days after - and did in fact start looking for work immediately, but there was a delay while I was interviewed and assessed and the paperwork went through. At least three weeks - because it's always the estimated maximum for me - if they say one-two, it's three.
I have debts. My fault of course, but I have them. Many people do, even those recently employed. I had scheduled payments which I'd been meeting every month, at least one of which was Court agreed.
So I called Crisis Loans, to find they won't pay this and they won't pay that and they won't consider this and they won't consider that. Yes, I do understand they can't be responsible for people's debts, but the Crisis Loan
does have to be repaid, it's not whoopee money. And in a situation where someone has set up a payment schedule via a debtor's court, and the payment schedule has been rigidly adhered to previously, surely that's worth considering?
I was asked detailed questions about whether my mother and father would feed me if I was starving. Would they not leave a little bit on their plate for me, even if they'd cooked a ready meal? If they had spagetti, couldn't have some? Would they really begrudge me a piece of toast?
I've been in a lot of humiliating situations, going through the mental health/ benefits system, but that one take the biscuit. I have no idea how people managed to blag enough for holidays. I got the minimum payment and borrowed from friends and family to keep up to date with agreed payments. All paid back now.
Sarge, sorry this was OT.
Really? Is it that bad?
All I can say is you don't seem too horrified by it. But how can this be good for your health? Is there really no-one who can help you as a vet? Is it really down to this? That's appalling.