h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Got a letter from the local council's (who will remain nameless) Benefit and Revinues Division this morning.

I get them quite alot - they detail my housing benefit/LHA payment etc.

This one told me my entitlement was £00.00



I looked at the statement of calculations they included and it is exactly the same as my last one (which makes sense as nothing has changed) except they are awarding me nil.

Several s later I write them an appeals letter and then decide I would take the chance on calling them. And by lucky chance it only took me 20 minutes to get through to them!

Turns out the end of year LHA report had messed up and everybody has been sent a letter like this saying they get nothing. I will get a correct one in 10 days or so. It won't affect my rent benefit.

I have to say I do feel sorry for the poor sods that have to answer the phones as they will be getting thousands and thousands of calls - and not everyone will be as polite and pleasant as I was to them
It isn't their fault but I did have a couple of hours of major stress when I got that letter.

No wonder the country is in a mess.

Especially when you have to deal with that council. I used to work beside one of their former employees. She was ing useless as well.

I spoke to a very nice guy with an Irish accent, who sounded very narked off with the whole thing. Before he even brought up my file he told me that it was likely to be a cock up.

However, not wanting to make a generalisation - but I will, usually people that work for the council or DSS are on a permanent go-slow and haven't a clue about working in a commercial environment where you have to reach targets and get stuff finished.

Those that aren't like that are very depressed and have a lot of sick leave from job stress.

The public sector does seem to attract a high proportion of dickheads.

I once had an offer of an interview with said council but decided I liked my sanity better and didn't go.

We must be employing the rejects in a managerial role.