General Chat

Well now, I wonder if I qualify as a Skiver. I haven't been able to work since last June because of severe osteoarthritis in my hip. I have been laid off by my employer on the grounds of ill-health and inability to perform my job. I am now trying to claim incapacity benefit for the period in the run-up to my operation for a hip replacement and my convalescence. Is that skiving.? The form for claiming incapacity benefit runs to about 15 pages. There are six items of supporting documentation you need to also supply. It seems to me as someone who has been paying their stamp for the last 42 years that that it is time I'm allowed a little bit back. Or maybe I should be Albanian!

I work full time because my husband can't. We have reversed roles ..... he would love to be in my place and I would love to be in his, but because of his ill health we are as we are. He doesn't claim 'incapacity benefit' but has a disability allowance which ceases the day before his 65th birthday. I won't go into details but just say that until 15 years ago he was in constant employment in a very strenuous job and it took a long time to adjust to his situation now. 'Incapacity' is a way to massage the Government figures... there are more people receiving this benefit than are on the 'dole'.... ergo less unemployed. As 'Incapacity Benefit' is 20.00 a week more than 'Unemployment Benefit' its no wonder that people want to switch. People who are genuinely ill and unable to work deserve our help and sympathy but we all know someone who is massaging the system. There are families who know the system inside out and claim every benefit they can - and what can we do..... nothing but pay our taxes and hope, vainly, that they are caught.

Some of you, struggling with so many physical problems, must find the computer a lifeline to the outside World. Keep smiling! Dilys

hello my sister has not worked a day in her life she is 35 and no intenshions of geting a job she gets 350 a weak to sit on her back side i suffer from depresion [post tramatic disorder inever went out of my house for 5 years but i got a job on the first day i had a panick attake but next day i went back ithink people like my sister should get off benner fit so all refuges can have it only jokeing about refuges

Hi Dilys, Like Gillie and like Bob's wife, I have fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed a year ago and was struggling to get to work, in severe pain, insomniac, depressed, memory and concentration problems, permanently exhausted. 10% of people with FM are on permanent disability benefits. Many of my friends, on hearing my diagnosis, advised me to 'get invalided out' At 35, I felt far too young to become an 'invalid', and in my depressed state I was concerned that I would become suicidal if I was at home all day with nothing to think about but my pain (the main cause of death in FM patients is suicide). So I decided to try my hardest to stay working. I took all the advice I could get--dietary changes, medication, lifestyle changes. With a lot of support I gained some control over my condition and managed to continue working. This winter has been, to be honest, hell for me. I have been in tremendous pain, have had terrible IBS, and feel exhausted the majority of the time. But I have still got myself to work everyday. I know that it is impossible for some people to work in my condition, and I have nothing against those who have a genuine reason to be on IB. There are some horrible illness, much worse than mine, that prevent people working, and there are many on IB who would love to be able to work. What angers me is those (and most of us know of someone) who claim to be unfit to work, yet take a heap of money 'cash in hand' for doing jobs 'on the side'. I know of a guy who has claimed IB for over a year, yet works almost full-time for a building firm! This is hardly the work an invalid would be fit to do! Lorr, I really admire your honesty and guts! Sal.x

Hi Sal! I think I too, have IBS. It's a b....r isn't it? Have just had a series of blood tests. However, with two 90+ invalids to care for, three hours away in Evesham, I haven't got time to be ill! Good job I'm retired..... Dilys