, working out my own point score

as I understand it, I get awarded incapacity benefit – I don't care about disability living allowance, on a point spaces; score enough points and you qualify for incapacity benefit.

Is there any way that I can work out my own score based on my existing condition?

What worries me is that if the Atos people come up with a really perverse score how I would get to any appeal as I am incapable of travelling anywhere outside of the range of my electric wheelchair – about 5 miles at most. I cannot walk or use public transport, in short, I am effectively immobile.

I have yet to get the dreaded brown envelope through the letterbox, although I expect it will come any day now; each day that there is no brown envelope is a relief, because I don't know what my future will be. Actually, thinking about it, I have never known what my future would be, life is by definition a precarious; I was fine and happy and working until I had my stroke and became a cripple I am lucky that I have a dictation program to write this because otherwise I cannot type being only one handed. I have never had what people call "a job.", I have always been self-employed, as a barrister, until I had my stroke and lost half my brain and the use of one side of my body. I just can't think what I could do.

Here's a self-assessment based on the new criteria -

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/latest-ne...ty-assessment-online

If you really cannot travel, an appeal can be held at your home, but they don't let people have home appeals very often because of the cost involved.

they could do them over skype i guess?

"I just can't think what I could do."

I hope you're not obliged to do anything for the foreseeable future, given the severity of your condition.

However, if at some point you want to try to return to work, don't underestimate the value of a good brain. With the crumbling of the legal aid system, someone who can advise via email without the overheads of chambers might be able to get by by selling their legal skills - who knows?

I didn't go to the Bar to make money, just to serve my clients; I loved my work, but to do it. I need access to a car and to be allowed to drive, but my brain damage is too bad. I really can't think what else I could do, it's all I know it: it would be humiliating to be forced to do something menial but why I should give myself there's overly can't think. So long as I keep a roof over my head and baccy in my pipe, I'm quite happy to work for free, so long as I can serve others and be of Some use, I don't wish to sponge off the state

Whilst you're on benefits but wanting voluntary work, what about advising others online? Pick a pseudonym and don't say you're a barrister, but share what knowledge you've got with people who need it. The net is full of people desperate for help with things and it will be all the more so with welfare reforms.