Lighthouse

I was afraid it would happen, and if I was a betting person, I could have made a pound or two. I've had to write to our local Member of Parliament to see if he can help in getting my wife's benefit paid.

After her birthday at the beginning of November, her Disability Benefit changed, and the benefit was transferred to a national office from our local office in town. It was quite obvious to me that as it was linked to other benefits we receive, there would also be problems with them as well. I was not wrong!

I've spent the last month phoning, writing, and passing information to the new office, in an effort to get the monies owed paid into her account. I've heard all the excuses. We're waiting for information. Still not received. Received but lost. It's here...... but we can't find it (sounds like 'lost' to me!). I've even been told not to worry, that it can all be backdated, and that we don't want to over pay you as we will have to claim it back! Better that than no money!

Then there was the broken promises. I'll phone you back. The coordinator will phone you. A supervisor or your accounts operator will phone. But nothing! Not one of the promises kept....... and that's the thing that annoys me the most.

So I've called in the heavy brigade. Someone with a bit of clout to sort out the problem. Fortunately we are not desperate for the money, even with Christmas on the horizon, but there will be others in our situation that are, and if they've had no money coming in for over a month, some could be in dire straights.

It's now a case of wait and see. But I do hope that someone get a rocket up their ass, now I've lit the blue touchpaper.