quote:

Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:

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Originally posted by Real:

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Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:
But what is your hourly rate then hun? Sorry... you don't have to say... but you should still be paid the minimum rate, which from what you say, you are nowhere near getting. You should still be paid your rate and then have to sort it out with DWP.

Being "freelance" doesn't apply here i think.

It does in law Real, as I understand it. Minimum wage is enforceable. And it's certainly worth challenging in this situation.

quote:

Originally posted by cologne1:

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Originally posted by Real:

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by Real:
The problem is I'm ill and have to live on incapacity benefit and I took this job because I'm allowed to earn £20 a week, which is what I earn. It wasn't just an 'extra' as his secretary was trying to say today, it's a lifeline, helping with my bills, so I feel like I'm over a barrel. If I complain, I might lose the job, which I can't afford. If I don't, I have to put up with this erratic payment, which I can't afford. Frowner

They must know this and are taking advantage. I am in the same boat as you, been ill since 1989 but can't get money off them coz i have money in the bank Just glad that i have enough NI stamps for my full pension when i retire -- if i make it that far ps-- I'm 57 on 21st of this month so any donations and/or veggies would be appreciated.

I'm 57 3 weeks later.

and we both like Lemmy. Can't be all that bad then. Still feel really sorry for you hun.

Thanks I've just put on Motorhead and my neighbours will hate me, but it doesn't happen very often and it's a good plaster.

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Originally posted by Real:
Ace of Spades will lift anyone out of despair. or Black Sabbath " Paranoid" 2 of my old time faves. I need to sleep now so hope all goes well for you hun Best of luck--- catch you later.

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:
But what is your hourly rate then hun? Sorry... you don't have to say... but you should still be paid the minimum rate, which from what you say, you are nowhere near getting. You should still be paid your rate and then have to sort it out with DWP.

Xoch, I've had all that argument about minimum wage etc with DWP and it took them 9 months to understand and eventually carry on paying my incapacity. I work by piece work. I read so much, for so much money. It suits me and it suits them. All I'm asking is to be paid at the beginning of the month, so I don't get into trouble with the bank and incur any charges.

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Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:
Oh hell Cologne.
That is just so very wrong then. But try the CAB anyway in that case.
You may get nowhere with it but you would kick yourself if you didn't try.

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Originally posted by *BB*:

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:
But what is your hourly rate then hun? Sorry... you don't have to say... but you should still be paid the minimum rate, which from what you say, you are nowhere near getting. You should still be paid your rate and then have to sort it out with DWP.

Xoch, I've had all that argument about minimum wage etc with DWP and it took them 9 months to understand and eventually carry on paying my incapacity. I work by piece work. I read so much, for so much money. It suits me and it suits them. All I'm asking is to be paid at the beginning of the month, so I don't get into trouble with the bank and incur any charges.

Are you eligible for DLA? Discuss all this with CAB.

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by *BB*:

quote:

Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by Xochiquetzal:
But what is your hourly rate then hun? Sorry... you don't have to say... but you should still be paid the minimum rate, which from what you say, you are nowhere near getting. You should still be paid your rate and then have to sort it out with DWP.

Xoch, I've had all that argument about minimum wage etc with DWP and it took them 9 months to understand and eventually carry on paying my incapacity. I work by piece work. I read so much, for so much money. It suits me and it suits them. All I'm asking is to be paid at the beginning of the month, so I don't get into trouble with the bank and incur any charges.

Are you eligible for DLA? Discuss all this with CAB.

The doctor I had to see for a medical thought I should get it, but I don't.

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Originally posted by *BB*:
Have you applied for it? If the answer is yes and you didn't apply through CAB and got turned down then again discuss this with CAB.

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Originally posted by robertsam:

quote:

Originally posted by Real:
I am old enough to remember the strength of the unions... The Miners strike which resulted in power cuts etc; So what happened then--- shut down the pits. That was the start of the end to Union power.

I gave five pounds very week and some groceries I really felt inadequate

quote:

Are you eligible for DLA? Discuss all this with CAB.

The doctor I had to see for a medical thought I should get it, but I don't.


Have you applied for it? If the answer is yes and you didn't apply through CAB and got turned down then again discuss this with CAB

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by vrmaryport:
We can't use that excuse to not pay bills on time, it's a difficult situation, you have my sympathies. In the good old days, trade unions were very useful, nowadays so many firms don't allow them. If you are a member of one ask them for advice, if you're not a member you can still ask them for advice.

But if I've done the work, surely I'm entitled to be paid.

quote:

Originally posted by Real:
The problem is I'm ill and have to live on incapacity benefit and I took this job because I'm allowed to earn £20 a week, which is what I earn. It wasn't just an 'extra' as his secretary was trying to say today, it's a lifeline, helping with my bills, so I feel like I'm over a barrel. If I complain, I might lose the job, which I can't afford. If I don't, I have to put up with this erratic payment, which I can't afford. Frowner

They must know this and are taking advantage. I am in the same boat as you, been ill since 1989 but can't get money off them coz i have money in the bank Just glad that i have enough NI stamps for my full pension when i retire -- if i make it that far ps-- I'm 57 on 21st of this month so any donations and/or veggies would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by *BB*:
Have you applied for it? If the answer is yes and you didn't apply through CAB and got turned down then again discuss this with CAB.

Yes, you're right, I have been told this before, but I feel embarassed now about applying again. I can't add anything to what I said before, so how do CAB make any difference?

quote:

Originally posted by *BB*:

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Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by *BB*:
Have you applied for it? If the answer is yes and you didn't apply through CAB and got turned down then again discuss this with CAB.

Yes, you're right, I have been told this before, but I feel embarassed now about applying again. I can't add anything to what I said before, so how do CAB make any difference?

I honestly don't know why it makes a difference but it does. When I first applied for DLA I was turned down. I then asked CAB for help in filling in the form with me present and they sent it off. It's a long and tedious process, I was again turned down, then CAB took it to Appeal, again turned down and CAB then took it to Tribunal and I was awarded high mobility component and mid Care component.

The thing is Cologne, there's no way I could have done all that without their help and guidance. They even sent the person who had filled the forms in for me to the Tribunal and she sat with me for support. When you eventually get the allowance it's backdated to the day you first applied so it's important to apply asap. The application forms are so complicated and I don't think many people are able to successfully fill them in without some kind of professional help. The woman at CAB said it's unlikely an application is successful without help and they also warned me to expect to be initially refused etc. It seems this is how the DWP do things, probably to save money?

My husband also used CAB when he had forms to fill in regarding his pension etc. He said he couldn't manage this himself because he didn't know what he was entitled to and they do know the answers to this!

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Originally posted by vrmaryport:
Cologne, if u want to PM me or open a dialog on cloud, my name on there is Lowoniq, I will be pleased to help tomorrow, as I'm off to bed now.
Good night all.

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Originally posted by jennywren:
I've just found out I haven't made enough contributions so my pension will be £24 a week. I'm the same age as you and my official retirement is terrifying me.

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Originally posted by Daniel J*:
My understanding about freelance, or contract, work is that you usually have payment terms. When I was doing some freelance software, I'd sometimes get paid within a week but sometimes it was 6-8 weeks later. I treated it like I was a supplier.

In your situation, it doesn't look like you can afford to do that without building up a 'float' to tide you over. If the PA was talking like that then he/she probably doesn't understand or appreciate your position.

I think I'd put myself in a relaxed frame of mind and ask for a short meeting with the boss to explain your situation, recognising that it's probably not a business priority for him or her, and asking for special consideration ie. to be paid very promptly given your circumstances.

Perhaps you could work extra one week and get paid one or two payments in arrears so that when you drop work off then you're picking up payment for already authorised and accepted work from your previous visit with payment waiting in the PA's drawer for you.

quote:

Originally posted by cologne1:

quote:

Originally posted by vrmaryport:
We can't use that excuse to not pay bills on time, it's a difficult situation, you have my sympathies. In the good old days, trade unions were very useful, nowadays so many firms don't allow them. If you are a member of one ask them for advice, if you're not a member you can still ask them for advice.

But if I've done the work, surely I'm entitled to be paid.