Get this.....
For the last eight years i have suffered from heart disease, i've had two heart attacks and spent many a long night wide awake in hospital.
For the past five years i've been on Incapacity Benefit, i've always been open and honest with the DWP and always attended any interview or medical when requested.
Two years ago my missus became similarly ill and underwent a double heart bypass last August (3 days after our 25th anniversary) and is expected to recover fully within the year.
She too is on Incapacity Benefit.
On with my story....
I was called in for a medical mid july, the "doctor" spent the majority of her time concentrating on my stiff neck (not part of my claim) suspecting arthritis and very little time checking my heart.
Late August I become increasingly fatigued and wind up in hospital with Bradycardia (slow heart rate), I spend two night strapped to a monitor and get discharged after having my Betablockers stopped.
I get home to find a letter stating im no longer entitled to Incapacity Benefit.:aargh4:
I phone Jobcentre Plus and am advised that an appeal could take 4 months so better put in a new claim with the new complaint, which i do.
Heart throws another wobbler, go see my doc, now I have 'Cardic Arrhythmias with multiple ectopics', back on the Betablockers and get a sicknote for a month.
Had no money for a week now, phone Jobcentre Plus, 'Claim Income Support and Council Tax benefit', which i do.
Off to see the heart specialist at the hospital, have ECG, 'Bradycardia with multiple Ectopics', "Looks like you need a pacemaker, More tests"
That's 2 weeks with no money.
Phone Jobcentre Plus to check on IB claim, "It's gone to the dicision makers"
Week 3 with no money "Decision makers haven't made a decision".
Check on Income Support claim " We can't process that claim til we have a result of your IB claim".
Week 4 with no money " Decision makers decided not to make a decision until they have sent you for a medical".
Don't feel well, off to docs, bigger Betablockers and a sicknote for another 3 months.:tongue-ti
Off to the hospital for more tests, hearts scan says no further damage in the last 5 years, could not complete the treadmill test (breathlessness), "You need another Angiogram to check your stents ain't blocking", eight week waiting list.
Phone Jobcentre Plus and am advised......(and here's the Catch 22 bit).......
....which leaves me starting week 5 with no money, having missed two mortgage payments, and yet another trip to the hospital to look forward too.
Shout down phone at Jobcentre Plus, get extension on appeal limit, am advised that appeal could take 4 months, "There's a backlog".
Still waiting for the letter from the decision makers asking me to go for a medical.
Appeal posted tonight, i'll keep you updated.
All through this i've been advised by both my doc and my heart specialist to "avoid stress" as this will make the problem worse.
So the moral of this story is... You can't afford to get ill.
Rant over, ignore me, i'm just venting frustration.
For the last eight years i have suffered from heart disease, i've had two heart attacks and spent many a long night wide awake in hospital.
For the past five years i've been on Incapacity Benefit, i've always been open and honest with the DWP and always attended any interview or medical when requested.
Two years ago my missus became similarly ill and underwent a double heart bypass last August (3 days after our 25th anniversary) and is expected to recover fully within the year.
She too is on Incapacity Benefit.
On with my story....
I was called in for a medical mid july, the "doctor" spent the majority of her time concentrating on my stiff neck (not part of my claim) suspecting arthritis and very little time checking my heart.
Late August I become increasingly fatigued and wind up in hospital with Bradycardia (slow heart rate), I spend two night strapped to a monitor and get discharged after having my Betablockers stopped.
I get home to find a letter stating im no longer entitled to Incapacity Benefit.:aargh4:
I phone Jobcentre Plus and am advised that an appeal could take 4 months so better put in a new claim with the new complaint, which i do.
Heart throws another wobbler, go see my doc, now I have 'Cardic Arrhythmias with multiple ectopics', back on the Betablockers and get a sicknote for a month.
Had no money for a week now, phone Jobcentre Plus, 'Claim Income Support and Council Tax benefit', which i do.
Off to see the heart specialist at the hospital, have ECG, 'Bradycardia with multiple Ectopics', "Looks like you need a pacemaker, More tests"
That's 2 weeks with no money.
Phone Jobcentre Plus to check on IB claim, "It's gone to the dicision makers"
Week 3 with no money "Decision makers haven't made a decision".
Check on Income Support claim " We can't process that claim til we have a result of your IB claim".
Week 4 with no money " Decision makers decided not to make a decision until they have sent you for a medical".
Don't feel well, off to docs, bigger Betablockers and a sicknote for another 3 months.:tongue-ti
Off to the hospital for more tests, hearts scan says no further damage in the last 5 years, could not complete the treadmill test (breathlessness), "You need another Angiogram to check your stents ain't blocking", eight week waiting list.
Phone Jobcentre Plus and am advised......(and here's the Catch 22 bit).......
- Can't claim Jobseekers allowance cos' i've got a sicknote.
- Can't claim IB cos' i've been deemed fit for work.
- Can't claim income Support cos' there's an ongoing claim for IB.
- Can't claim Council Tax benefit cos' my IS claim is on hold.
....which leaves me starting week 5 with no money, having missed two mortgage payments, and yet another trip to the hospital to look forward too.
Shout down phone at Jobcentre Plus, get extension on appeal limit, am advised that appeal could take 4 months, "There's a backlog".
Still waiting for the letter from the decision makers asking me to go for a medical.
Appeal posted tonight, i'll keep you updated.
All through this i've been advised by both my doc and my heart specialist to "avoid stress" as this will make the problem worse.
So the moral of this story is... You can't afford to get ill.
Rant over, ignore me, i'm just venting frustration.