HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CHEATED BY THOSE WHOM YOU LEAST EXPECT?

Well, I never contemplated being cheated in life – but I have been, and to a sum in excess of £20,000.

I always looked upon myself as being astute and at the age of 68 I did not see any reason to think otherwise. However, I am embarrassed to admit I was wrong. Yes, I have been cheated in life and by the very people I would have least expected to be cheated by – my local council and in particular the ‘Social Services Department’.

In October 2014 I applied to my local council for assistance to pay for a 24/7 carer. I require the help of a 24/7 carer because I live on my own and I am classed as being severely disabled; I only have the use of my right hand and right leg and can only walk short distances with the aid of steel leg braces and crutches. I cannot operate a wheelchair and do not have the convenience of a mobility scooter - subsequently I am virtually housebound.

In January 2015 I contacted my local council as I had not received any response from them; I was informed my application would be reviewed as soon as possible. During the telephone conversation I questioned whether it would be acceptable for me to borrow money (from a third party) to fund the services of a carer until my application was approved – I was told “this would be a good course of action to take”.

In March 2015 I had an ‘assessment of my needs’ made by a social worker, this proved to be a disaster due to the large number of errors he made. At the time of the assessment I informed the social worker I had borrowed money to employ a carer and was told it was perfectly acceptable and the monies would be reimbursed back to January 2015.

In June 2015 I had a second ‘assessment of my needs’ made by a social worker, this seemed to be more professional and I was informed my application would proceed without any problems. At the time of the assessment I informed the social worker I had borrowed money to employ a carer and was told it was perfectly acceptable and the monies would be reimbursed back to April 2015.

However, in July 2015 I was informed by my local council’s social services department that my application had been rejected as my needs were already being met by the carer I had employed (the very carer whose services had been encouraged and endorsed by social services).

Obviously, I have appealed against what I consider to be an unfair decision on the part of social services only to be subsequently asked “which of my needs can be met on an unpaid basis?” In spite of frequent letters, emails and telephone calls to the local council’s offices I get no further helpful response.

So where does this leave me? I feel I have been cheated in life and encouraged to commit myself to a debt which I cannot afford to repay and cheated by the very people who are employed to help others. I have no savings left and do not own the property I live in and therefore cannot pay off the debt I have incurred. Fortunately, I receive a government disability allowance which most times just covers my rent, heating and food bills.

Note: I have been recently asked “how is it I can afford a computer and an internet land line if I have such financial problems?” Well the truth is I cannot afford and do not have these luxuries – I use a friends computer to access the internet, the same friend who set up a papal account for me.

If anyone can possibly offer me a little financial help I would be eternally grateful – THANK YOU.

If you are not in the position to help me perhaps you would kindly consider passing on the link to this page to your friends and family who may be able to offer me some assistance.