Crohns Disease. Can i claim any benefit?

becky81

Hello
I have been having terrible stomac cramps which actually feel like labour pains for the past few years. I finally took myself to the doctors and was refered to hospital. During this time i have been unable to work becasue the pain is so terrible I finally had my results yesterday (after a very drawn out and never ending 6 months!!!!) that i have crohns Disease.

I have not once in this time claimed any kind of benefit. I have 2 children, 4years and the other 14 months. We recieved child and working tax credits as my fiance is self employed full time. We also recieve child benefit.

My question is am a allowed to claim any benefits to help us financaly as i am unable to work because of the pain and discomfort, and havent been able to work since the problems fisrt started. I have looked online but carnt find any information.

Any help or advice would be great

NASA_2

DLA and/or ESA.

alwaysonthego_2

You could claim DLA depending on your care and mobilty needs.

becky81

NASA wrote: »

DLA and/or ESA.

whats esa please?

healy

becky81 wrote: »

whats esa please?

Employment and Support Allowance.

NASA_2

becky81 wrote: »

whats esa please?

http://campaigns.dwp.gov.uk/esa/

Its the kick !!! new benefit for all the new sick people out there.

3 out of 4 people are choosing it over Incapacity Benefit:cool:

SuziQ

I would very much doubt you will be awarded DLA Becky as it requires a high level of care or mobility needs to qualify-nothing to say you won't get it though. I have had the sister disease,UC for 26 years and at times have been completely debilitated but as it is a disease classified as a relapse/remitting disease like yours we don't fit the criteria of being able to say we will be as bad in 6 months. My disease finally ended in cancer and I had a total colectomy in May which has left me really ill at times but I still haven't been successful claiming anything.Come on over to the ia forum for support and advice-a friendly buch and lots of info for you. http://www.iasupport.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=13

becky81

SuziQ wrote: »

I would very much doubt you will be awarded DLA Becky as it requires a high level of care or mobility needs to qualify-nothing to say you won't get it though. I have had the sister disease,UC for 26 years and at times have been completely debilitated but as it is a disease classified as a relapse/remitting disease like yours we don't fit the criteria of being able to say we will be as bad in 6 months. My disease finally ended in cancer and I had a total colectomy in May which has left me really ill at times but I still haven't been successful claiming anything.Come on over to the ia forum for support and advice-a friendly buch and lots of info for you. http://www.iasupport.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=13

Im so sorry to hear what you have been through. Its awful that you havent recieved any help! There are some (not alot) lazy people at home doing nothing, and getting help with there living costs, it dosent seem fair. My heart goes out to you xxxx

Supermom

Look on www.nacc.org.uk great website for people with Crohn's lots of info and they have a section on benefits.

I know plenty of people with Crohn's who get DLA it all depends on how ill you are and how you cope with it. Everyone is different, take a look on the site should help you not only with benefits advice but lots of other stuff.

Good Luck.

SuziQ

Supermom wrote: »

Look on www.nacc.org.uk great website for people with Crohn's lots of info and they have a section on benefits.

I know plenty of people with Crohn's who get DLA it all depends on how ill you are and how you cope with it. Everyone is different, take a look on the site should help you not only with benefits advice but lots of other stuff.

Good Luck.

I am also a member of NACC,have been for over 20 years but have found the ia forum muich more helpful. I am surprised you know 'plenty of people' with Chrohns getting DLA as it is the opposite experience to me both as a sufferer of IBD and as a nurse and health visitor for over 28 years,but glad someone is being successful out there. The only ones I know getting DLA are those who have other problems which limits their ability to cope with the demands of IBD,such as severe depression,severe arthritis,ankylosing spOndilitis whcih is commoner on those with IBD.
Beck you would be wise to get support from a welfare benefits advisor.welfare rights/CAB if you do apply to give you the best chance.
By the way I do get some help-I am currently on IS and of course we get child tax credits. I am hopeful I may get back to work sometime after my second op although I have been warned the recovery from that is 3-24 months as I have an ileo-anal pouch.