General Chat

have been on it for 12 years. Am now panicing that they will make me get a job or stop my money. So what job can I do. I have tennis elbow in both arms which gives me pins and needles down my arms and into my hands. I have little feeling in some of my fingers and drop things without warning and as for holding a pen some days I can't. I also have Cervical Spondylosis so have sore neck and shoulders. Have restricted movement in shoulders so can't reach up and am in contant pain and live on painkillers. I now have pain in my hips and knees which I think could be it all spreading but until I pluck up the courage to go back to doctors won't know. What job could I do?

anything you believe you can! Dont be fobbed off, if you think you can ( you know your own capabilities) you probably could!

Try I.T for a few hours a day, as you appear to manager OK or does someone type for you?

Alice I don't think I can but can they make me. Would an employer want me in the state I am today crying in pain and clock watching for my next dose of painkillers.

Lil I can type but it is very slow and painful and I can't sit for long because of pain.

Dawn i work with people with disabilities and carry out assessments of needs, its the way forward, to ensure that everyone contributes who is able too, once you have your assessment they will inform you and offer support of how you maybe able to contribute, if your able too, good luck Lil

Dawn, You've no need to panic. The government are not targetting unfortunate people like you! Good grief, you have enough to contend with, with all your aches and pains!!! They'll be after the benefit cheats, and scroungers who sit on their backsides all day doing sweet nothing, feigning injury or incapacity. You haven't anything to worry about I'm sure. Your GP would back you on this matter should it ever come to that. God bless, Brian, ;< O ))

Its about time they did? I know their are genuine people who cannot work, But in 1997 the Blair government decided to alter the rules for long term unemployed, and so most of these bone idle Scroungers where put on Incapacity, the government then took credit for lowering the unemployment Figures, which actually cost use tax payers more money as they are payed more than they would get on the dole. Roy

Having just listened to details of this on the news, it does seem to be mainly directed at those who are on invalid benefits and are out playing squash or whatever. But it did say that training and all manner of help and support would be available to the genuine people on this benefit to enable them to get work at whatever they are capable of doing. So dont worry Dawnie, I don't think its a case of 'get a job or else' - you will be given lots of help (well that's what they say ...........don't suppose I'm the only one who's a bit sceptical of what the Government say!) Bev x

I suspect that some of the worst cases will be switched from Incapacity Benefit to Disability Living Allowance. Bingo: IB numbers down. Target achieved. All pigs fed and ready to fly!

I have the same problem Dawnie!! i have been on it for 3 years, i have worked all my adult life, but now i can't, i am under the doctor and being treated, and i have medicals every year, i dont need a certificate because of this. but i am very worried love helen

I am sure that, if you are genuinely unable to work and have certification to back it up, other than maybe having to be re- assesed you wont see any difference. I am pleased they are doing it, that way only those who genuinely need help will get it and the scroungers wont. (Well that is what is supposed to happen). Ann Glos

I get Disability Living Allowance is that being affected as well,

hi dawnie. i am also on incapacity benefit. i had a spinal fusion in my lumber region 5 years ago. i have metal rods down either side of spine and screwed to my hips. i am in constant pain daily so i sympathise with you. just to let you know that you can go for all sorts of jobs, that you are probably well capable of doing. but, and it is a big but, you will find it very hard for anyone to employ you because of the INSURANCE! if there is only one aspect of the job that you cant do you will NOT be employed because you will be a liability to their insurance. so worry not my friend and rest easy. go for the interviews and answer their questions truthfully. maybe, one person will employ you, but as soon as they see that you cant do the job they will say that they have to ask you leave because you are an insurance liability. i have experienced this on numerous occaisions. i have always worked since i left school and while bringing up my children, and this has made me feel that i have been 'put out to pasture' at the ripe old age of 45. i now spend my days on here and compiling my family tree. good luck to dawnie. regards from taylor

My brother-in-law is Downs Syndrome and gets DLA. No way is he capable of working!

My uncle's ex girlfriend's father was on disability allowance for a bad back... his hobby was rock climbing.. you can imagine what we all thought!

Excuse me Brian there are people with disabilities that do work, but if they are on DLA or SDLA they usually stay working below the 12hrs a week, and just cos someone is Downs does not mean they cannot work, regards Lesley PS i know lots of people with down's that work, and they do a better job than some Regards Lesley pps and you will find most people are able to do something even if it is sitting at the computer researching for a short time a day

excuse me brian but i work with a girl whos is in her fourties and has down's and she manages just fine it is all about knowing your limitations!!

Hear Hear Linda

I get the Disability living allowance ,but i work ten hours a week, I have Parkinsons Disease