Job centre/work coach weirdness
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@wecandothis I want to work to a certain extent only really. My illness really makes it hard to live a “normal” life, sleep pattern is wonky whatever state I’m in. As a result anyone sane agrees a job is not what I need, but preparing for a job that will probably never exist is 10 times worse than that. The true gauge of how unfit for work we are is that we would only need to do around 50 hours a month to earn untaxed what we get from LCW and probably get some UC top up as extra. There has to be something major preventing us from doing that, when the alternative option is what we are going through currently.
An example of how they offer no tangible assistance into work is that I make music and it’s good. Based on this you think they might make a few calls and maybe get me a foot in a door at least 😜 That is one thing I could see myself doing as a job with an awful lot of support. Unfortunately I don’t think any companies are really where they need to be in terms of employing people with mental health conditions.
You have an excellent way with people yourself KBO soldier.
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@Porterhouse thanks, indeed, having to prepare for a non-existent job is brutally callous of them. That's why it's cruel of them to force people to chase the wind for 35 hours a week.
Yesterday on Sky News the top chap from Scope was interviewed he is a big name in the music industry even with his disability. I wonder if he could give you some pointers. You're right, companies treat us like lepers were. It is amazing how many top musicians have BP, I wonder if it helps the creative part of the mind.
Keep writing the hits.
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@wecandothis I’ll have to use Google to find this musical scoper you mentioned, sounds like he’s fighting the good fight.
You’re very kind as always, I make incidental, background (instrumental) music, so I’ll leave the hits to others. Funnily enough I heard a song on the Aussie racing broadcast last night and I can’t figure it out but know it’s a song I enjoy. No time for Shazam, infuriating lol. By the way if you realise it or not you are driving engagement on this thread tremendously as is @WhatThe 🙃🙃🙃😎
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@Porterhouse it was Sunday morning with Trevor Phillips 53 minutes into the program on the Sky News website.
Okies, ambient, relaxing music. Stuff that you can read and meditate to. Or even film scores.Lol, we’re the drummers on here.
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@wecandothis Most of my stuff is more upbeat than that, more suited to running and work outs I’d say.
Funny you mention drummers, that’s my main instrument. Can we private message each other on here? I’d happily share a few tunes with anyone interested 😎
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@Porterhouse I couldn't quite put my finger on something/a niggle, after posting here earlier but it's now come to my mind. Even though I'm on benefits I don't have a thorough understanding so please excuse me (I'm on UC).
And I'm not trying to be nosey or impertinent asking this and you don't need to tell me.
What bothered me was did you never have to fill in a UC50 form which is to apply for LCWRA (limited capability for work and related activities). If you applied but not awarded, I'm sure you can apply for a mandatory reconsideration. And if you were still not awarded i think you can reapply (I'm not 100% certain on this last point).
It just strikes me as odd that your WC changed your commitment to 5 hours a week from 35 hours when, if you do not feel well enough to work or search for work, then why are you not being considered for LCWRA as - even them reducing your commitments to 5 hours - does that not mean they are recognising - and acknowledging - that you do not have the fitness to work.
Like I say, I'm no expert in benefits and you may already be fully aware of the above so my apologies if I'm talking nonsense.
I do hope you manage to get a GP appt and that you have a good GP. I got a tel appt 2 wks ago after waiting for 2 weeks but she wouldn't allow me to ask about my Citalapram /severe depression at that point as my appt was about my blood pressure 🙄 . No wonder the mind boggles (mine) nor that my BP goes high.
Read the recent posts on here and what a great talent you have in creating music. Music is my thing and helps my mental health, for the most part anyway. I have a piano but can only play Do Reh Me and Imagine but my dogs like it ha ha.
Take very good care and very warmest wishes to you 🙏
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Thank you very much and hello @wecandothis although tbh, that was in 2023 and I don't feel quite as resilient now but that's something I've got to work on. Maybe the sense of injustice I feel at imminent changes (not just to me) will help me build that resilience. Thank you again for your words, I appreciate it very much. Take good care 🙏
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@Santosha12 Thanks for the very insightful questions. Long story short I was put in the ESA support group after being diagnosed without an assessment and life was as good as it could be then. I then had to go to tribunal to get PIP at the upper daily living amount before shortly moving back to my parents in a UC. I have no qualms in saying the DWP have done me dirty ever since. I had a work capability assessment soon after my return and was considered unfit for work but kicked out of the Support Group and onto the income related group. I should have contested this but coming so soon after the PIP tribunal I didn’t trust they wouldn’t find me fit for work.
Stayed on that for a year before going in for my first UC where in a right state, a kindly older lady, compassionately explained she was turning off all job preparation and job searching thereby setting a precedent. Hand on heart going to UC every three months was manageable and I’d say reasonable. The problems have started where a non decision maker has decided I am now fit to go monthly and start job preparation. I have to correct you on one thing they tried to raise my job preparation from 0 to 35 and then blamed it on the system and offered me 5 hours instead that I grudgingly accepted. I’m absolutely certain that the whole last week was a severe breach of their stated charter on how they treat people.
I really need to get in the LCWRA but I’m not certain a rejection wouldn’t cost me money and I’m not sure how exactly to go about it and am sure I will face hostility at JC as a result. Need another trip to the Citizens Advice. Truthfully I don’t think they (JC) like me because I know my rights and assert myself when needed, can’t imagine anyone there helping me get more benefits and an easier life.
You’re very kind re my music, although so far we only have my word that I am good 🤪
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Funny you say that, the sense of injustice gives me motivation that otherwise isn’t there, very much like yourself.
Take care yourself and give them hell lol
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Thanks buddy, I’ll seek it out.
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Society is very good at punching down. The Labour Party is now Continuity Tory Party 2.0. Hypocrites the whole lot of them. Tax the richest, don't genocide the poorest and the disabled.
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I see, I understand. I'm sorry you've had to explain it answering me but I'm glad you have as it's making my inner determination to come to the fore to get my mojo back ready to fight the new proposals/Green Paper, as they are a disgrace and I'm just so sorry you have to deal with their (potentially very harmful) shenanigans.
They made me completely lose the plot in 2023, on the phone for nearly 4 hours after them completely giving me the runaround and I ended up with the police coming round because I'd rang the coroner's office. Not my finest hour but the police were very good but I learnt from that, something about my resilience and not giving them the time to muck my mind up anymore than it already is; that probably explains my almost aggressive stance where they don't get a word in edgeways as, the way I see it, the more i speak, the less they can so I don't have to hear it. Bit feeble but until I find another, stronger way, that's just my way 🫠.
BTW re music 🎶 🎵 - I'll take your word for it! I couldn't create anything musically (well, maybe a din ha ha) 😉 😊
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Hello Timbo, welcome to the thread. You are absolutely right and we know it isn’t like this in many countries which is a savage inditement on our own. We can’t steal from other countries now so we steal from our poorest and most vulnerable. Forgive my late reply I didn’t get a notification for some reason. All the best. Andrew.
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Yeah I do wonder if they are scanning these forums, as we are getting closer and closer to a 1984 situation. Sorry to hear about that incident with the police that sounded horrible. I’m similar with the talking but then most of us have anxiety so that’s bound to happen. I find they think anxiety or hypomania/mania symptoms are happy/enthusiastic when the truth is very different indeed. I could probably say a bit more but I’m very mentally tired. Same applies as Timbo, didn’t get a notification for some reason. All the best. Andrew.
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well done for being the last person to post yesterday and last month
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Oh dear…..
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why
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Hello Jade welcome to the thread. Didn’t have a clue, do I win a prize? 😎
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@Porterhouse yes it was a horrid day it totally exhausted me. I forgot that the police are situated in the coroner's office. It's crazy how some of their (DWP) staff are actually quite evil. I'll make sure that I get their name and which office they're based in at the start of any future telcons. I hope you had a restful evening Andrew and that you've had a good day 🙏
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Hello again @Santosha12. It wasn’t too bad thanks although I stayed up way too late and consequently got up way too late. Too early to comment on my day but the Premier league football is back after a lengthy break so got something to follow in a bit. Hope you’ve had a decent day that continues in the same manner, thank you for your continued contributions to the thread.
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