not sure wot to do next...

tonyd_2 · 13 October 2004 at 1:22PM

i have been ill with chronic fatigue sydrome and anxiey for 2 years..i get incapcity benefit of £66.15 per week,only other benefit i get is free presriptions,i have been turned down for DLA,which i expected,and now been turned down for income support,and awaiting a decsion in council tax benefit, i have a mortgage,and approx £2,500 in savings,which wont last to long,not sure what i will do when that runs out,so i dont know wot to do next...any advice please?
thank you

Ted_Hutchinson · 13 October 2004 at 6:22PM

You don't say when you were turned down for DLA. If it was within the last month you should appeal straight away. See the guide to appeals at Benefitsandwork. While you are there read the guide to claiming DLA on physical health grounds and if you are being treated for mental illness the guide to claiming on Mental Health Grounds. These guides will give you an indication of whether or not you made a good job of filling in your claim form to provide the Decision Maker with sufficient detail relevant to the DLA CRITERIA
The other guide you should read is the one for Getting Help with your Benefits Those people who use a Welfare Rights Representative to help them at the appeal do much better than a claimant on his/her own.

Clearly the Middle rate of DLA would make a significant difference to your situation and I feel sure getting help with a new DLA claim or if the appeal notification was recent assistance with an appeal against the last award will be your best option.

tonyd_2 · 13 October 2004 at 9:16PM

thanx for your help

,it just seems like one long battle,i have been writing countless letters,spent lots of time on the phone,get told diffrent things...provide this document that document(why cant they ask for them all at once)for 8 months now..i am always honset,i always provide every document they ask for i am always polite and patient..and i still get turned down...
sorry rant over...lol

Ted_Hutchinson · 14 October 2004 at 1:21AM

It's not just you.
About 50% of all DLA claims are initially rejected.

If you appeal, and I'm not sure you did then if you attend the appeal the chances of winning are 60% and if you get Welfare Rights Support it reaches 70%. So It is possible to get DLA with CFS but as many CFS awards are made at appeal as at the initial stage so this shows Decision Makers who don't have the benefit of actually seeing and speaking to the claimant are reluctant to award.

It really is worth your while getting help with your claim and assuming that you will have to attend the appeal as part of the process. The Benefitsandwork site I recommend to those with problems claiming disability benefits has just started an ME/CFS forum so there will be a source to collect together the problems with claiming DLA with hidden disabilities.
Benefits and Work disability benefit forums

tonyd_2 · 15 October 2004 at 11:27AM

would i be entitled to any help with my mortgage,my building society told me i need a mi12? form,do i get that from housing benefit or job centre plus?

Fran · 15 October 2004 at 12:48PM

tonyd

It might be an idea to go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau to get help with all these questions. They'll be able to check that you are getting the benefits you are entitled to and also can help by making phone calls etc. to negotiate on your behalf. They will also be able to help with your appeal if you have only just had the decision. As Ted has mentioned, you have one month in which to appeal.

Ted_Hutchinson · 15 October 2004 at 1:00PM

would i be entitled to any help with my mortgage,my building society told me i need a mi12? form,do i get that from housing benefit or job centre plus?

As Fran has said you do need to improve your DLA award as doing this has a knock on effect on your Income Support and this means you will (after a waiting period) get help from the DWP with your Mortgage Interest. You need to go the CAB or one of the advice sources listed in the guide to Getting Help with Your Benefits linked to previously so that the last award will be appealed or a new DLA claim put in.
The Jobcentreplus is the place to go for Help With Mortgage Interest as Housing Benefit only deals with Rent.

msraec · 27 October 2004 at 2:23PM

I too suffer from CFS or ME and have applied for DLA, im still technically working and getting paid tho still too sick to go back. As a manager at a Citizens Advice Bureau i know from my application form and supporting evidence (which always seems better from private consultants unfortunately) i should get higher rate care and higher rate mobility but it is very likely i will be turned down altogether, it doesnt mean you're not sick and doesnt mean you're not entitled to these benefits

As others have said please APPEAL, if its too late then work with a caseworker (free at CABs and other independent agencies) to reapply and if need be appeal straight away.

Most claims are turned down but a good welfare benefits worker helping you with an appeal WILL get you that money you deserve - if you're within time limits it will be backdated too.

Dont give up hope, join the ME association and try http://www.immunesupport.com for independent info on the latest research, notice boards, chat and support from others...you'll get there.

Ask for help

Fran · 27 October 2004 at 6:30PM

It's nice to see other moneysavers offering support like this. Thanks msraec and Keep at it tonyd.

tonyd_2 · 8 November 2004 at 1:57PM

thanks for all the help,i got in touch with the local welfare rights people who have allocated me a worker.i have reapplied for DLA,within the month so waiting to hear from them.

Ted_Hutchinson · 8 November 2004 at 4:33PM

You mentioned at the start that you suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

For longer than I care to remember I have been suffering from the late effects of polio which leaves me extremely fatigued and lacking in energy. It would be fair to say the symptoms of PPS are indistinguishable from CFS/ME.

I've recently become aware of the research here SERUM CARNITINE LEVELS in POST POLIO and have been following the recommendations to the letter.
I am really impressed with the difference it appears to be making to my symptoms. In researching the supplement I've found that it is also beneficial for over half of those tested with CFS and equally effective for relieving the fatigue/energy levels/depression in MS so it really is worth giving it a try.
The other supplement which may be worth giving a try is Omega3 you will need a high strength EPA figure. I use the Omega Juice from ZIPVIT who also do the L'Carnitine at 90 for £7.95

Apart from Self management, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and possibly a graduated exercise programme there isn't much on offer treatment wise for CFS so monitoring your symptoms as you try out the natural supplements would be better than nothing. Neither of the supplements I've mentioned have serious adverse side effects so both are very safe and can be taken together.

PS Keep this to yourself but L-Carnitine Better Than Testosterone in Treating Erectile Dysfunction I've noted this side effect is a useful bonus irrespective of whether you had the problem or not .

not sure wot to do next...

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