The Daily Teaser — 23-8-2014

Well, thank God THAT’S done with … !

You’ve probably been following me for a while, haven’t you?

And therefore probably aware that I’d been sanctioned by the DWP, over the Work Placement Scheme I’d been placed on.

Which is a long story, but basically, I got put off the scheme, before showing what I could do: through, I feel, no fault of mine.

I got sanctioned.

And appealed.   Or, at least, put in for what’s called a Mandatory Reconsideration: the initial stages of an appeal.

I finally got the letter through, yesterday.

The sanction has been overturned: I’m now back on to the normal range of benefits, and off hardship payments.

I’m extremely relieved!

And extremely thankful, to everyone that’s helped me these past few weeks!

Thanking You … !

~≈Â≈~

The Friday Question Set — 22-8-2014

PHEW!

And DOUBLE phew!

Actually, no! Possibly even TREBLE phew.

With lashings of cream and ginger biscuits … !

So to speak … 

The REASON for reason for all this excitement … ?

Is I’ve just opened my post to find that the Mandatory Reconsideration I put in for — after the scandalous way the Work Placement Scheme I was placed on went bad — go my way.

And had the Sanction overturned.

I am relieved: and thankful.

And going to thanks EVERYONE that’s helped and supported me through it!

Friends, family, and everyone that’s pressed my Donate button.

You know who you are, folks!

Thank you … !

~≈^≈~

Men At Work Placement

OK, OK … 

It’s a Sunday evening!

But there’s not much on TV at the moment.   There’s not a lot on the radio, either.

And frankly … ?

Frankly, there’s something I’ve been meaning to get off my chest: about being out of work.

~≈◊≈~

The Daily Teaser — 29-7-2014

You’ve been following me for a while, haven’t you … ?

So you’re probably aware I’m job hunting: and although times are rough, the fact I’ve had interviews, recently, and have as couple more, soon, is a good thing.

The problem I’m having … ?

Is the fact some of my benefits have been cut, in a dispute: one that I’ve done everything I can avoid.

Theoretically … ?   Theoretically, I should hear by roughly the end of the week: after 28 working days.

Just, of course, JUST about what’s happening

I phoned the enquiry line.   Only to be told there’s an effective eight to ten week delay on Mandatory Reconsiderations: the type of appeal I’m going through.

The best way of describing my reaction … ?

Was bloody furious … !

Possibly even f*cking fuming … !!!

How on EARTH does a government tell you something is supposed to take 28 days: and then add THAT amount of extra time?

Personally … ?   As much as I’d rather complain to various forms of management, and as I’d hate to commit some form of benefit fraud, to pay the bills?   I can see how tempting the latter is, given the circumstances.

Provocation is a hell of a thing to plead in court.

Let’s move on, shall we?

~≈◊≈~

The Daily Teaser — 13-6-2014

Right … 

I have to admit, I’m off to the Job Centre, today: for an appointment with my advisor.

Hopefully … ?

Hopefully, we’ll be able talk over what happened at the start of the week: with the Work Placement Bad Reference situation.

Getting the boot from a charity shop — because of bad references — is not something I’m happy about.

But at least I could do something about that aspect.

On the OTHER hand … ?

I’m faced with having to go BACK on to the Work Placement scheme, and start all over again.

Wasting TWO days that otherwise would’ve counted towards it.

Frustrating is not the word … !

~≈É≈~

The Daily Teaser — 11-6-2014

I … 

Am … 

Happily … 

F*CKED OFF!

If you’ll excuse the language!

You know I recently started out on a Mandatory Work Placement Scheme, just recently?

And got placed in a local branch of the Saint Francis Hospice Shop.

I got the proverbial boot.

Apparently?   I have unsatisfactory references.

I didn’t challenge that, when I was told why I was getting the heave-ho: but went as far as offering alternative references, as a counterbalance.

Nope, not wanted.

Once I was out of the proverbial office?

I was fuming, as it leaves me stuck on a programme I may well never be able to complete.

I immediately went to the Job Centre to let them know what had happened.

I’ve ALSO got to phone SEETEC, to talk to Val: who’s my handler, there.

Right now … ?

Right now, I’m in the proverbial lurch, and I really don’t like it!

~≈§≈~

The Daily Teaser — 3-6-2014: John Dykstra

Hmmm … 

OK, I’m up, comparatively early.

Just in case you didn’t notice … !

There’s a reason for that.

I’ve been signed up for the government’s Mandatory Work Placement Scheme.

Run for them, by a quango called SEETEC, over in Basildon: where I have to be by 9:30.

Hence the early start.

Speaking personally?   Well, frankly, I’m not expecting much in the way of help.

SEETEC may have improved its services and staff in the six months since I left the Work Programme.

Somehow, though … ?

I doubt it.

We’ll see what happens, shall we?

~≈W≈~