Long long wait

[79blue]

In early September I had to take early retirement from my job as a paramedic due to PTSD issues. In early September I put in an application for an ill health pension. If I had just taken my pension early I would have lost 10% on my main pension pot and 38% on my post 2015 pension pot, as I was 58.

I had to use my savings to cover the time it would take to process it, which I was informed would take 3 months. Today after nearly 27 weeks my ill heath pension was finally paid. The last few months had been very stressful, not knowing when it would arrive. I had to stretch my money and cut right back to stay in credit, and I made it to today down to my last couple of hundred pounds.

I had 3 major delays in my application, all due to human error by the people processing it, with 2 of the delays only being rectified after I had made multiple phone calls. Why is life so difficult in this country now, nothing seems to work properly any-more? :shrug:

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Long long wait

In early September I had to take early retirement from my job as a paramedic due to PTSD issues. In early September I put in an application for an ill health pension. If I had just taken my pension early I would have lost 10% on my main pension pot and 38% on my post 2015 pension pot, as I was 58.

I had to use my savings to cover the time it would take to process it, which I was informed would take 3 months. Today after nearly 27 weeks my ill heath pension was finally paid. The last few months had been very stressful, not knowing when it would arrive. I had to stretch my money and cut right back to stay in credit, and I made it to today down to my last couple of hundred pounds.

I had 3 major delays in my application, all due to human error by the people processing it, with 2 of the delays only being rectified after I had made multiple phone calls. Why is life so difficult in this country now, nothing seems to work properly any-more? :shrug:

Would you have been entitled to ESA or PIP or both ?

[79blue]

Re: Long long wait

Would you have been entitled to ESA or PIP or both ?

I would not sign on for ESA or UC as I have no intention of returning to work. I am not prepared to jump through any hoops that they would put in front of me. Which is probably the reason why they make it so difficult to claim.

I will be soon applying for PIP as I am currently losing the use of my left leg, which is under investigation and is beginning to look like a neurological problem rather than a mechanical issue.

I had earned and was entitled to an ill health pension after 32 years in the service, leaving only due to work related mental health issues. My issue is with the application, which took 27 weeks to process.

[RichardM]

Re: Long long wait

Or just carried on being employed on sick pay until the pension was sorted.

[79blue]

Re: Long long wait

Or just carried on being employed on sick pay until the pension was sorted.

I had 18 months on the sick and underwent 3 therapy courses and multiple occupational health meetings including assessments with various doctors. It was only after all of this had been completed was the service able to submit an ill health pension application. This was 3 weeks prior to my final sickness interview which ending with my employment being terminated.

[OurManFlint II]

Re: Long long wait

Glad you got it sorted, but i think its a universal problem.

Depending on your politics, this is an interesting read from anthropologist David Graeber

The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Utopia_of_Rules

[cyril evans awaydays]

Re: Long long wait

I had 18 months on the sick and underwent 3 therapy courses and multiple occupational health meetings including assessments with various doctors. It was only after all of this had been completed was the service able to submit an ill health pension application. This was 3 weeks prior to my final sickness interview which ending with my employment being terminated.

It's such a shame that your move from work to a well earned retirement was so traumatic. Not easy, but try to put that behind you now and enjoy your new life!

[RichardM]

Re: Long long wait

I had 18 months on the sick and underwent 3 therapy courses and multiple occupational health meetings including assessments with various doctors. It was only after all of this had been completed was the service able to submit an ill health pension application. This was 3 weeks prior to my final sickness interview which ending with my employment being terminated.

Sounds like you've had a tough time for a long while. I hope you can enjoy your retirement now it is sorted out.

[Tito Fuente]

Re: Long long wait

This sounds like an awful experience from start to finish.

Nothing like a bit of added trauma to go with your PTSD, eh?

Best of luck and best of health to you for the future 79blue.

[Bobby Dandruff]

Re: Long long wait

In early September I had to take early retirement from my job as a paramedic due to PTSD issues. In early September I put in an application for an ill health pension. If I had just taken my pension early I would have lost 10% on my main pension pot and 38% on my post 2015 pension pot, as I was 58.

I had to use my savings to cover the time it would take to process it, which I was informed would take 3 months. Today after nearly 27 weeks my ill heath pension was finally paid. The last few months had been very stressful, not knowing when it would arrive. I had to stretch my money and cut right back to stay in credit, and I made it to today down to my last couple of hundred pounds.

I had 3 major delays in my application, all due to human error by the people processing it, with 2 of the delays only being rectified after I had made multiple phone calls. Why is life so difficult in this country now, nothing seems to work properly any-more? :shrug:

That is sad to hear :-(

At least you have watching Cardiff City to keep your spirits up…….No, wait….. ;-)