General Chat

it's all relative isn't it? poverty and wealth...

the difference between two elderly ladies of my acquaintance, one owns her own home (paid for) and only recently has had to start "dipping into her savings" (unearned) to sustain a very comfortable lifestyle,good holidays etc...and the other lady who with disabilities, and a high rent manages to 'tick over' with no 'luxuries' ( and she worked as did her late husband ).

So much is down to circumstances and NOT down to being wasteful of money, or neglecting to save,or not being willing to work.

I wonder whether anyone can give me the name of possibly the most famous Tax (fiddling) Lawyer this country has known?

I can only give one clue it was a female!

William Russell Jones.

Ann, re my Mum's neighbour. She's not depressed - she's one of the bubbliest people I've met in a long time. No, her disability is no worse - her walk is awkward, as it has been since birth, apparently - but she takes herself off to Sainsbury to do her own (big) shop every week. She has a gentleman friend, who's been decorating the house, and they've just been on holiday to Turkey, taking the two teenage daughters with them. Don't get me wrong - I don't object in the slightest that she gets some benefits to make things easier for her, but it's the "I can't possibly work, because I'm disabled', that gets me. If she can go abroad for a holiday (and Turkey isn't one of the most disabled-friendly countries), and do a large weekly shop on her own, then there's absolutely no reason why she shouldn't be able to work in a desk job - if there was any work available, that is!

Eddie, has your sister had changes in her benefits already? I ask, because I didn't think the changes had started yet.

She has had a letter saying her mobility allowance will be stopped from the end of this month. Also her blue (disabled parking) badge has to be returned. This is fine as she will no longer be able to afford to run a car, hence she will not be able to tavel to her work.
This is what is so ridiculous, she wants to work but cannot travel to her place of work without the car. With the help of the CAB she is appealing against the decision.

When my sister applied for DLA Joan she had to be seen by an independent doctor who visited her home.

Re the reply about Osborne and the rest of this Crew.At least they had their cash befor they were in the Government,not after.**M**.I know people who are supposedly disabled, getting everything they can from the taxpayer,yet go out laying Patios and drives.( Cash in Hand) and what happens when they are reported,Sod All.they never even get investigated,It seems to be too much trouble for the powers that be to get off their collective backsides to do so.**M**.

Has your sister been medically re-assessed recently, Eddie? I'm glad she's getting help from the CAB, as I can't see how her benefits can just be taken away, with no re-assessment.

Of course, this is where people in rural areas are at a greater disadvantage - there will be a lot of people in a similar situation here, too, as the number of bus routes has been radically reduced in the last 4 months. As you say, Eddie, without money, no car; no car, no access to anyone that can help. I know it would jar a bit, but maybe your sister could contact her MP, if she/he may be sympathetic? A letter to the local paper may also get her some support.

Ann in Glos, my OH had an independent dr sent to see him when he applied for WAR pension, and he gave him a thorough examination. Took one look at OH' feet and back, and said'That must be painful, I dont know how you manage to walk like that' and he passed him as never likely to work again. He had tried before, but he was never examined and was refused. I was told that when you fill in a form, you should put how you are on your worst days, not how much you can do on your good ones.