Benefit Cuts effecting cfs/me claimaints

I pray also.  Dread to think what state we will all be in if this happens!

I know, it is disgraceful.  I have actually contacted the P.M. via email and confirmed the content in a letter sent to 10 Downing Street.  I think that all of us who are disabled etc. now need to speak out as loud as we can.  I am really feaful what this could mean for so many.

Any of you who wish to pen your thoughts or email you can do so on the internet.  I do hope that  people using this forum will have their say.  Our Government needs to listen to the people and our voices need to be heard.

I'll get of my soapbox now.  Lol x

I read it hours ago but I think it said people who are of working age will have their benefits frozen, that means my son! He can live with me but imagine how many more homeless people there'll be! 

Do you have the email address so I can contact Downing St too?

Hi, if you google "contact prime minister", and click on the first choice.  This will bring you to the web page, and you can email from there.  Thanks we need to make as much noise as possible X

Great thanks, I doubt it'll change anything but I want to have my say.

Done and it was a very strong message! 

Good for you, so was mine and I hope that we are not the only ones

I'm glad you posted about it because I wouldn't have thought of doing it.

Yes, as I said it was because a benefit advisor friend of mine directed me to it.  I had to jump through hoops, like many others no doubt to get my benefits.  I worked from age of 17 to 50, never been unemployed until I had severe relapse in 2013 and lost job 2014.  I feel sort of cheated that I worked hard for all those years, and never took anything apart from child benefit, and when diagnosed in 2008 went part time and still didn't apply for PIP (DLA) even though I would have probably got lower rate.  It is very unfair of politicians to tar us all with the same brush.  I am very aware, as I am sure most of us are, that there are people out there faking it, but there is an awful lot of us who depend upon it and are in situations not necessarily are own fault.  I really do feel for our society.  It looks such a mess from where I am sitting

As with Georgia, so with me, posted... thank you and i agree with your last note, for a while in my life i really did work dawn till dusk, get home have an hour to sleep and then cook tea... mad or what and no at 52 out of work... thank you for giving me the chance to make my views known too!

Thank you for the time reading and posting.  It is a disgrace that vulnerable people yet again are likely to be penalised.  The more of us who "shout", then may be just may be we may hit a chord.  We can only but try.

Tx

hi Tina. thank u for posting this. i subscribe to the website. i felt very 'disabled' by the IDS threats, but disempowered to do anything about it. an e-mail/letter to the PM is an excellent idea & certainly would have impact pre election. in response, he's likely to make reassuring statements that he could be held accountable for if he gets re-elected.

what points did you highlight in your letter? wonder if it's possible to get a 'template' letter together and PM it to members on here??? like many with this condition, my brain is so 'fuzzy' sometimes, that getting the most basic of info. together is a mammoth challenge?

Caitlin

Hi Caitlin, I think there are quite a few that feel threatened, you are not alone.  I was talking to someone this morning, and not that understand a lot of political things, but parliament is now closed, election just around the corner.  Apparently, it would take thousands of complaints for it to be heard (stand to be corrected, this is information passed to me).  However, I fully believe if the people on this site send email or letter then the P.M. will see how this is effecting just a small minority of the disabled nation.

The points I mentioned:-

1. I had worked for many years.

2. I had not claimed benefits up until now.

3. There are different types of disability, and basically staff (like ATOS), can not be trained in everyone. 

4. The benefit system itself is just too stressful and for people like us it affects our health, just trying to get through the paperwork, and assessments, if we are able to get to them.

I never put this point in but I wish I had and think it should be mentioned.  The fact is that we need a benefit system wherby individuals who have been diagnosed by a specialist and have a chronic illness like CFS/ME and others such as M.S., Parkinsons, do not have to put through all of this.  Personally, I think a G.P. once you have been diagnosed should be the proof whether you are fit for work or not.  This would cut out so many assessments, save time and money.  May be 6-12 months check up with G.P.

Anyway, that is just a few pointers.  I think it better the more emails and letters sent rather that signatures, but a template would be good also if others wish to do it this way.  I just think we should not take this sitting, lying, down.  CFS/ME is an awful illness, debilitating, can effect the individual for many years, and family and friends suffer to.

Thank you for taking the time, and anyone else who chooses to do so.  I know how difficult it can be to put words together.  I am worse speaking than writing/typing.

All the very best.

Tx

Don't you think individual messages are taken more seriously?

Hi Georgia,  yes I personally think individual messages would be better, but any intervention is better than none.  Whatever people are happier to do. My letter was very to the point and how this would effect me and individuals like me.  I am just grateful that people on this forum are speaking out.  It is about time our condition is taken seriously.  On saying that there are an awful lot of other disabled people, and unemployed people who will be effected.

It is all such a mess!!

hi tina. thank you so much for these pointers. shall get my flagging brain in gear and get scribing.

think there's strengths & weaknesses to the collective and individual approach. the collective suggests a united numbers front whilst the individual approach may have a more humatarian appeal. it's easier to ignore and explain away one person's dilemma than it is to fob off a united group.

Caitlin.

Yes I just did a Labour party survey and it asked how I feel about the Tory's being in power for another 5 years. I said 'Terrified!'

Yes that about sums it up I think!

Tx