16th January, 2022.
Yes: I’m expecting a phone call, this morning.
From my physiotherapist.
I’m — sort of — looking forward to it.
There’s one set of exercises I really don’t like!
~≈Á≈~
Then, this afternoon … ?
I’ve got a face to face meeting with my Restart case worker: in Chelmsford.
I’m not looking forward to the trip: but at least have the ticket.
I picked it up from Brentwood station, yesterday.
That, despite my doubts about the process, went through OK.
They bought and paid for it, and emailed me a reference number: I fed that into the ticket machine, at my end, put my bank card in … and shoved the ticket in my wallet.
That bit went well.
I’m just not sure how well the meeting will go.
~≈Á≈~
You’ll have realised I’m not working, by now.
I, like others in my shoes?
Am on Universal Credit: the bog standard unemployment benefit, here in the UK.
For many years, though?
There’s been discussion of what’s called a Basic Income, or Universal Basic income.
A set amount payed to everyone, and enough to live on.
I’m not necessary sure I understand it: nor, necessarily approve of it. I think there’s flaws, in other words.
Today?
The Welsh government’s announced it’s starting a pilot scheme.
Care leavers in Wales will be given £1, 600 per month: taxed.
And will affect people’s eligibility for benefits.
That’s worries me, some-what.
If you’re on Universal Credit, there’s a wealth of other benefits you can claim.
Not least, free prescriptions, glasses and dental care: up to a certain amount, any way.
What concerns me? Anyone on this scheme won’t be able to claim those: if it means they can’t claim benefits.
We’ll have to see what happens, I think.
~≈Á≈~
