Category Archives: My Life

DWP dramatically admit to damaging my health.

DWP - Department for Work and Pensions sign

In a strange but welcome turn of events, the Department for Work and Pensions – DWP have cancelled my tribunal and recognised my health affects my ability to work. This morning, 29th August, I received an email for Universal Credit stating that I had a message in my online account to read. I was slightly worried as I barely ever

Read more

Independent vs Mainstream a Modern Day David and Goliath

A modern day david vs goliath

Journalism is about holding people to account whether it’s awkward or not, so why does this government get a free pass from the mainstream press?   Suicide is always a topic you must be careful when writing about. You have to be responsible so as not to cause fear or alarm to people who are suffering from a mental health

Read more

DWP told Motability my claim is suspended

Motability suspended

I naively thought the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) couldn’t make any more “errors” in my case. Well no they have gone and told Motability that I no longer have a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claim. This is despite me being awarded enhanced PIP just two weeks ago and having previously been on DLA.

Read more

DWP demand I send medical reports for PIP appeal as they never used any for their original decision.

DWP Sign Caxton House

I wrote before that the DWP had told me that my mental health was not an issue when they gave me my Personal Independence Payment – PIP Assessment decision. Despite saying they’d contact my psychiatrist it appears they didn’t. I called the PIP helpline this week to see if my Mandatory Reconsideration had been done yet. As I previously advised,

Read more

Universal Credit & my Mental Health – Part 2 *MH TRIGGER WARNING*

Mental health conception on white background

So I thought it was appropriate to do the next part of how Universal Credit has affected my mental health. If you haven’t read part one you can read it by clicking here.   PLEASE NOTE I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE WHICH IT MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE.  PLEASE NOTE; If you have any

Read more

My PIP home assessment & my advice to others facing one

So I thought that I would share my experience of a Personal Independence Payment – PIP home assessment and some tips on how you can make sure you get a fair shout.   So I recently got my award for Personal Independence Payment – PIP. While I am relieved that I was awarded the enhance rate of mobility, meaning I

Read more

Awarded PIP but told I was lying about my mental health

So I finally received the dreaded brown envelope from the Department for Work and Pensions – DWP with a decision on my PIP award. Whilst I am happy I have been awarded it, they say my mental health doesn’t affect me which couldn’t be further from the truth.

Read more

I’m Schrödinger’s Universal Credit claimant according to the DWP

So today, 21st June, I finally received a letter from the DVLA outlining what exactly had been said by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Universal Credit Assessor about my fitness to drive. I previously wrote about how I was reported to the DVLA by my Universal Credit assessor as they doubted my fitness to drive. I can now advise

Read more

DWP tell me ‘I’m not entitled to a break from Universal Credit’ when son has surgery

Alexander Tiffin and Son

The Department for Work and Pensions have this week told me that despite my six-month-old son having major surgery in October, I must still search and be available for work.     The Department for Work and Pensions – DWP have this week told me that despite my youngest son having major surgery on his skull, I must still be

Read more

A win for equality as Tesco and Shell agree to improve help for disabled drivers at the pump

Tesco Shell Filling Stations

I can confirm that both Shell and Tesco have confirmed that they are going to work to improve the assistance available to disabled drivers at their petrol stations. A major improvement planned is to ensure that all their filling stations are signed up to the FuelService Scheme

Read more

Are petrol stations failing disabled customers?

Wheelchair user filling car up at petrol station

For me, filling my car up is something I actively tried to avoid, usually taking someone with me if I can. Whilst service stations owners are keen to say that they offer help disabled customers, in reality it’s a different story.

Read more

My son has Craniosynostosis, but what is it and how will they fix it?

As most of you know my six-month-old son Ashton has major surgery in October for a condition affecting his skull. I thought I’d share what the condition he has actually is and what the surgeons will do to resolve it.

Read more

Universal Credit and it’s effect on my mental health – Part 1

Alexander Tiffin Stressed

Universal Credit is mentally challenging for even those of us with the strongest of minds. Add in under lying mental health issues and its a bomb waiting to go off. A study titled: Left Behind, carried out by national foodbank charity The Trussell, found that 57% of Universal Credit claimants surveyed,suffer from some form of mental health issue as a

Read more

McVey denied the DWP scans social media to reject benefit claims but, I have proof they visited my blog.

Esther McVey with a red folder

on Tuesday Esther McVey denied that staff from the Department for Work and Pensions – DWP scan social media to look for ways to deny benefit claims. She may try and claim this to be true, but now I’ll show you evidence they’ve visited my blog.

Read more
« Older Entries Recent Entries »