Finances!!

[Reds]

FINANCES shouldn't be such a worry to people when someone is diagnosed with an illness such as dementia! The system is too difficult generally for people to understand and communicate with. Its disgusting when someone has worked most of their life, paid tax and NI. I don't like to sound bitter but what comes round!! If a doctor or specialist confirms someone is unfit to work due to a devastating illness a certain amount of money to live on should easily be available particularly if that person has a proven work record. The forms are too difficult and appointments too stressful.

Reds

 

[JayGun]

I agree my lovely.

 

[Early Girlie]

Yes, Reds. We have hoops to jump through, when we should be receiving comfort blankets. The support systems have a long way to go.

EG

 

[garnuft]

And what about if you are born with a disabling condition and have paid no taxes, made no contribution?

Are those who paid taxes but develop illness later in life to have precedence?

What difference does it make if you've paid taxes all your life?

Surely a 'Society' that supports, helps whether the person in need has supplemented the resources or not?

 

[sistermillicent]

I agree that it is difficult and stressful and I sympathise, but actually the fact that the assistance is there somewhere and achievable somehow makes us a lot more fortunate than many . I think we should all be paying more tax and supporting those who need us, their contribution to anything is irrelevant, they are human beings, that's all that counts.

 

[Pickles53]

I agree that it is difficult and stressful and I sympathise, but actually the fact that the assistance is there somewhere and achievable somehow makes us a lot more fortunate than many . I think we should all be paying more tax and supporting those who need us, their contribution to anything is irrelevant, they are human beings, that's all that counts.

Well said, sistermillicent, and you too Garnuft. If I and my family are lucky enough never to need the support from the health and/or social care system that comes with any devastating misfortune, illness or disability, I am grateful enough for that and wouldn't mind paying more taxes to keep those services available.

People do need more help to cope with the inevitable bureaucracy and form-filling, but there has to be some level of administration and accountability when you are managing public funds.

 

[Reds]

Sorry hope my message didn't seem thoughtless to those with a disability who haven't been able to work or any other matter. I am aware that there are other circumstances and hope are treated just as fairly. My husband and I have worked a lot and so feel that if the DWP checked this they would perhaps see that the only reason we are trying to claim a small amount of benefit, (I say small because our savings etc have all been taken into account including pensions that we are not taking until they mature) now that my husband has Alzheimer's, is because we feel we have contributed a lot over the years and if this illness hadn't changed both our lives we would still be working. I felt very stressed by a DWP visit where the person wasn't 'people friendly' and so many questions asked and paperwork requested. Had to prove my date of birth but they would be able to see a lot of information about me by looking up my NI number just feel there must be an easier way. As most of us who use this forum are aware, its very hard anyway when someone is ill in the family, the most important person! To feel scrutinised when we contacted DWP rather than they us due to illness seemed rather harsh. The person showed no empathy, I know a job but the system doesn't seem to always cater for individual circumstances.

I appreciate any help there is available but it has not been easy to find and I think the forms can be mentally exhausting, I don't know how some people cope. I personally think if someone is genuinely ill and medically diagnosed with an illness, help should automatically be given without having to find and work it all out ourselves.

Of course paperwork needs to be done but rather lot of duplication of information is done one way or the other. For one thing a charity helped us initially with the forms and did copies of relevant correspondence but the DWP then did the same. Also a receipt we gave to the DWP to say we had paid some money in wasn't good enough proof even though had an account number and sort code on it. Had to go to the bank to get a statement which was virtually the same information!

The point of my original message was just to express how sad it is that someone is ill but then also having the stress of all the other 'stuff' and doesn't help my anxiety levels.

Reds