Am I elligable for any benifit help ? Please help

JC83

Hi

I'm 26 yrs old and have fibromyalgia, and suspected psoriatic arthritis.

I'm self employed and have a small online business, but due to the resession isnt earning me a penny. I have been searching for part time work for over a yr, and applied for more jobs than I can count, without a single interview.
I'm very limited on what I can do, due to hip / shoulder joint damage, pain, not able to walk / stand for prolonged times, weakness, lethergy and side effects from anto inflamatories and pain meds

After a long wait, I am having hip surgery in 5 weeks, to repair worn cartilage, (I'm grinding bone on bone!) which will put me out of action for 3 months, (min 6 weeks relyant on crutches / no driving etc ) so theres no chance of me getting work now

I am recieving no finantial help at the moment. I live at home with my very patient mum, and sister. I pay no rent / bills etc, as I simply havnt got the money. My name is on the houses deeds as a 1/3 owner (after parents sticky divorce, mum wanted it protected from dad)

I think thats it, about me
All help / advice is greatly appretiated - theres so much to read on this forum / net in general, I'd never get through it all, So I really hope you can help

JC83 x

McKneff

hell jc83 and a very warm welcome to the boards.

I know you say it is not earning you a penny so are you self employed or not, do you want to give it up.

I'm sure you should be claiming ESA (which used to be called incapacity benefit) at least and even in you are working you should at least claim for DLA, this is a benefit you can claim whilst still working.
It annoys me when the benefit cheats get going and there are people like yourself who are genuine and dont claim anything. Ring the DWP and ask about your entitlement and dont forget to also ask for any backdated payments.
Good luck with your surgery. i have multiple joint arthritis and i know how painful it can be but its just not fair that it happens to one so young.
Free hug here for you and your family.
let us know how you get on.

sandraroffey

citizens advice can help you get everything you are entitled to andit sounds like you can get dla and what used to be called incapacity benefit. all of this may mean that your share of council tax may not have to be paid. nif you busines hasnt been earning you anything, havent you claimed tax credits while the business is still running?? you may still get tax credits with the disability premium if you get the higher rate of dla, as well.

JC83

Hi McKneff and sandraroffey - Thanks for the reply, and the welcome

I dont really want to give the business up, as I can see it earning money. I started the business in aug 07, when I relised my health may cause a long term work issue. And the plan was to keep working full time, while building it up. And to use the business money as a pension / long term saving etc. While I was healthy to work, and not to replace my f/t work with the business for many, many yrs to come. I didnt know my health would change so quickly, for the worse

I've never claimed a penny, ever. So its all very confusing. I'll google DWP and citizens advice, and get on the phone tomorrow

Thankyou so much (((hugs))) back to you
I'll update, with what they say

JC83

McKneff

aw, your hugs made me smile,
hope all goes well and we will be keeping an eye out for you.
good luck

sandraroffey

just remember that if you are going to claim incapacity/sickness benefit, you will be given income support instead, because you are self employed. hope you have been paying your NI stamps!!! income support will mean that you cannot carry on running a business until you are well enough to work and come off of the income support. if you are going for DLA, and keeping the business running, you can get tax credits. even without the dla, you can get tax crfedits and if your business is at the moment making a loss, you will get maximum. get a claim in for this urgently, as it takes a bit if time but will be backdated to the date of your claim.

also, if your business has made a loss over the financial year, you can claim a tax rebate, which is worked out against the last year you paid any tax. all tghese things take a bit of time but well worth it. if you need any other help, PM me. good luck.xx

JC83

I've been trying the main 'local' CAB office on the phone, and cant get through. so it looks like I'll have to go down sometime, to speak to someone

yes, sandraroffey I've been paying my NI. I cant just close by business (it only takes a hr or 2 tops at the computer a day, so not hard to do, most days, with the odd trip to the post office) so from what you say, I'll have to go down the DLA route, and not incapasity
Can the CAB help with tax credits ?

Thanks

JC83

seaside

my son age 24 has psoriatic arthritis his hands are effected he goes to the hospital once a year for a check up but at the moment he seams fine the CAB will be able to help with all benefits they are wonderful and help me alot with my claims good luckxxx

Millburn_farm

oh ((((((hugs))))))

you seem to be coming at this totally 180degrees from me (((hug))) (I have ME the other end to fibro, and I'[m trying to start a business )

pester your CAB totally; Fibro is a painful illness; with oddles of backing

If CAB don't work try you local welfare rights office (council); you are allowed to work a few hours a month and earn a few ££££, it's a bit of a balancing act; but I'm allowed to sell cards on the local farmers' market 4 hours a month :rolleyes: and the time taken to prouce the cards isn't taken into account (in part because it's therapy with dealing with my senile mother .... hiding)

bored_at_home

if you are working less than 16hrs a week in self employment and wish to be earning more you could be claiming jsa. they deduct any money you make in the hours you do from your benefit. when you have your operation you would get a sick note and change it to esa as you would be unable to work until you are better, then switch back to jsa.
you may also be entitled to dla. if you are your jsa/ esa money may go up.