Fibromyalgia- DLA?

Buggles

Hi, my mum has just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which is a relief as we finally know what is wrong with her, but there doesn't seem to be a cure and it's just pain-management.

Now, my mum works in a supermarket on the checkouts and has been off sick for the past 5 weeks (with at least another 2 more weeks off) as she just cannot do her job due to the pain she is in. She is getting more and more depressed at the thought of going back to work and being in constant pain (she's in constant pain just sitting down watching tv so the thought of actually going to work and spending all day moving her neck/arms is agonising for her). We both want her to give up her job, either get an easier job (though what can be any easier than sitting at a check out all day?) or give up work completely.

She is 50. We are in a housing association property so would be entitled to housing & council tax benefit, but how would we pay other bills- electric, gas, water, tv license, buy food etc.

[I'm currently unemployed myself but am desperately seeking a job, so once I got a job it wouldn't be as hard]

The only thing I have found is DLA. I don't even know if she would be entitled to it. Is fibromyalgia a recognised disability?

From what I can gather, there are 3 levels of DLA. I'm guessing she would get the lowest level, if anything at all, which I believe is £18 a week. How on earth would we pay all those bills on £72 a month plus my JSA.

Is there anything she would be entitled to that I haven't found yet?? As far as I can tell, DLA is awarded to people who need help with care, which currently she isn't needing any help, but she is in constant, severe pain.

Please help us. I'm so worried about her.

Oldernotwiser

DLA isn't awarded for a diagnosis but for care and/or mobility needs. Does your mother have these?

Buggles

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

DLA isn't awarded for a diagnosis but for care and/or mobility needs. Does your mother have these?

No, but she is unable to work without pain. I'm trying to find out if there is anything other than DLA she is entitled to.

claire1234

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

ive no idea if you can get DLA for fibromyalgia but theres no harm getting the form, filling it in and sending it off,
just see what the questions on the form say & answer as best you can to do with your mums daily routine,
perhaps get letters from doctors or any one else she see`s,

i think the job centers will have the forms avaliable,
theres no harm in filling it in and see what happens - if you dont ask you dont find out,

if unsure of anything or any benefits pop along to citizens advise, see if they can help,

KxMx

If she is unable to work totally then she can apply for Employment and Support Allowance but it is hard to get.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm

There are two groups, Work and Support, the first involves 5 meetings a year and agreed action to find work, and the Support group where you are left alone, but that is very hard to get into.

Skinticket

i have fibromyalgia and i was refused dla, im appealing a shoddy atos medical for esa too, a shoddy medical that led the dla to refuse me.


wont hold my breath but good luck.

Richard1075

I think oldernotwiser has really summed up perfectly the way DLA is awarded. Your Mum will need to show that she needs assistance with either her mobility and/or he personal care to get an award. The actual illness doesn't matter, it is about how this impacts on her life.

If she is unable to return to work due to illness then her first stage will be to apply for ESA -at the sametime she can apply for both Housing Benefit/LHA or Council Tax Benefit - these are both means tested benefits.