Help and Support 1

So this morning I thought I better see if I can get any support, by which I mean financial support.

For years I was getting DLA (Disability Living Allowance) and because I received a higher payment on mobility I also had a freedom pass. Unfortunately I lost the latter, and shortly after I had my calf injury. I was transitioned onto PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and attended an assessment, after which this was withdrawn because I looked too well.

I had attended with a crutch by taxi both ways. But because I still walked and had attended on my own and looked presentable I was apparently managing. What the health assessor and I guess people generally do not understand is that it is possible to look presentable and this is partly because it enables you to go out of the house. People do function with depression, but that is not to say they are not depressed or having an episode. I guess I should have taken a neighbour with me, been unwashed and wearing pyjamas. And I must say the health assessor came across as patronising. It would like be being assessed by a GP who does not know you. We all know they know a little about a lot, but never have the time to gain a deep understanding of every condition on the planet. I should know, my father was a GP.

So to return to this morning. I looked up my local  Citizens' Advice (CAB, none in my immediate local area) and rang the number. It was constantly engaged, but the only way to arrange an appointment. I did look on the website, but sometimes even people like me just want to chat to someone. When I feel under the weather I want someone else to sort things out for me and chatting to someone feels like this, even if ultimately I come away with more actions. I mean, if someone else could get me the right job for me, or right loving relationship I would welcome it - though I am not signing up for Married at First Sight!

So after trying several times I was able to connect to an adviser online. I waited "on hold" being number 6 in the queue for about 20 minutes. The adviser then pointed me back at the advice on the CAB website. I also said I had recently lost my PIP and they said I should get an appointment to get help with an appeal. Guess what? That meant trying to get through on the original number I was trying for this.

And then the situation was compounded. The downstairs phone ran out of charge, so I went for the upstairs phone. 5 minutes later this too was flat. Unfortunately my mobile signal is not strong enough for a chat in the house. So hear I sit unable to call out.