My situation

I can hardly ask you to give details of your situation if I have not given mine.  Give me credit - I arrived at this conclusion all by myself.


before May 2010  DLA £82.20 a month, approx £100 a week ESA

The date of any medical assessment by ATOS:  Approx February 2012

I have hypertension, myositis, rheumatoid arthritis indicators which are mostly under control but joints can flare up.  But the main work killer is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/fibromyalgia

The Outcome of that medical:  0 points

If you appealed, how long have you been waiting? I put in my appeal within a week of the decision which was first informed me by phone [I failed to see the point and it seemed the man at the other end was getting pleasure from it], then by letter in March 2012]

The first I knew my appeal was 'not' was when I received a p45 from the DWP without explanation.  I rang DWP to be told my appeal had been struck out!  I rang the Appeals Tribunal and they asked me for my appeal number, to which I explained I had not been given one, and asked for my appeal to be reinstated [which I did by e-mail and then by letter - they don't like both being done together] - it has been reinstated and I await a date.  I have indicated that I am prepared to be on short notice.
I am still receiving my DLA [although that will be reviewed] and I get approx £71 contributions based ESA only due to receiving sick notes from my doctor.  This is due to cease in May 2013.  I cannot go onto Income based JSA? as my savings are too much [savings limits have not been changed for over 20 years]

Bedroom tax - how much Housing benefit you receive:  As I own my house, this does not affect me

Council Tax - As I have too much in savings I pay the full amounts - plus my partner works

Is there anything else that should be mentioned that, if not mentioned, could undermine our/your case?  They know I get small pensions [retired due to ill-health]

Additional:  I would like to work but I zonk out.  I can have a brilliant couple of hours then flag dramatically, even if it is something I enjoy doing.  Reconciling cash for a charity posed real problems on a bad day.  Doing Charity work or any form of task requires several attempts before I finish it.  Washing up I can stand for only 5 minutes before my back starts protesting.  I sometimes need help at supermarket checkouts and I have to adhere to a strict procedure otherwise I will leave my debit card on the counter.  I find I often forget what I went upstairs for, ans sometimes stairs - going up and down - causes problems.  I leave cooker rings on and taps running, esp when my attention is distracted by someone at the door or a phone call.  I tend to be confrontational when people are not listening or don't care.  I get anxious when I have meetings or appointments that disrupt my routine.

Test from facebook page link - I have arrived!

Template for your comments about your situation

I've had no suggestions - crude or other wise as to what I thought people should include.  So... please use this as a template and only add factual info.  I cannot emphsise that insulting politicians will detract from them reading it.  Let the statement "I have £X a week to live on" speak for itself.

Your Benefit type and amount before May 2010

The date of any medical assessment by ATOS or similar [name?]

A brief description of your condition[s] and how this/these limit you

The Outcome of that medical

If you appealed, how long have you been waiting? What was the outcome?

What ESA/DLA/PIP etc you are receiving now

THEN this...

Bedroom tax - how much Housing benefit you receive, how much BT is deducted

Council Tax - how much are/will you be paying?

What is the amount of benefit you are now getting/will get?

Is there anything else that should be mentioned that, if not mentioned, could undermine our/your case?

IS THAT ALL - have I left anything out? Open to constructive suggestion.

Request, I know it is hard but please try to keep emotion out of it. I have found the shorter I make a letter or e-mail the less wound up I get :)

I am fairly new to Blogging.  All that is needed on here is a brief, unemotional and respectful [to others including MPs!] statement of your circumstances due to changes in your benefit and/or medical assessments. Once we have a good number of what could be called 'case studies', the link to this blog can be e-mailed to your MP etc.  First I need to establish a format that can be copied, pasted and amended to suit YOUR circumstances.  All coming later