AS a former Thurrock Council employee of over 20 years, plus a longstanding council tenant, I’m very angry over the way the council deals with people who are disabled or with a long term health conditions.

Recently, in February, the DWP decided to cut my ESA and stop my PIP award due to the fact they felt I was able enough to work.

With two long term health conditions which are not going to get any better and the fact I’d had an accident falling over on an uneven pavement which has wors-ened one of my conditions, plus given me scarring and other problems, the council in their wisdom send bailiffs with a committal to prison, for having arrears of coun-cil tax of £44, two months at £22.

They have added charges of £95, a liability order and summons, making the bill more than it started off from even though I’ve paid two months.

The council have stopped my instalment plan even though I’m only receiving £100 a week, and I’m await-ing a tribunal at Romford court to hopefully win back my PIP award.

My first court date was postponed causing more stress, pain, anxiety, and de-pression, and debt.

The reason the court case was postponed was because there were not three persons available to sit on the tribunal.

In the meantime I’m expected to magic the money out of thin air to cover all these costs, rent, tax, elec-tric and gas.

There is also TV licence, car tax, and don’t forget food and toiletries.

I don’t know how these government departments expect people to live? Why is it the people that are worst off and vulner-able that need extra help are singled out to have more burden and worry put upon them?

The last thing in the world people need who have health conditions and disability is debt, financial difficulties etc.

I’m fed up with how we are treated, I am only one person and one voice but I have freedom of speech and human rights, and I need support, support from all the people in Thurrock, disabled, ill, or otherwise, to come forward and speak up, voice your opinions, appeal against any decisions you think are wrong or unfair, talk to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, talk to disabled or-ganisations.

I want this to be out in the open, our country is in crisis, the benefits system is unjust, it needs looking at, reviewing.Even the council, I have works in my property unfin-ished, and had been living in an unsafe property for years.Twice my property has failed on electrics.

I have test certificates. Interesting to see there was a fire in a seventh floor flat last week in chadwell, George Tilbury house, on June 26.

Is this more cutting corners, saving money etc?

People of Thurrock, give me your support, give me your views, help me put all this right, not just for my-self but for others like me that are or have experienced all of these issues.

Talk to me at dhunwick1@hotmail.co.uk

DEBORAH HUNWICKPark Lane, Aveley