Nhs pensions ill heath application refused

kevinragg

Afraid another similar story. After 29 years service to the NHS as a health care professional with a long list of prior health conditions including but not exhaustive: Diabetes, Recurrant acute pancreatitis, kidney failure, Diverticulitis, I became ill with ME/CFS. Work dismissed me due to capability. My first attempt was refused with the old chestnut of not a permanent conditions, may recover, etc, etc. My consultant at the time gave me a letter for the NHS pensions agency stating it was a permanent condition, they ignored it and asked him to fill in a questionnaire, he refused as I had moved out of his area, they then asked my GP for a report which she did stating again it was a long term condition which I was unlikely to recover from, they ignored this and turned me down again stating no evidence (what!!!) I am having a medical privately in two weeks with an expert and paying for a health report. I am lucky my old branch of UNISON are paying for the medical, but as I now live on the Isle of Lewis and the medical is in London the flights are costing a fortune so hope it works, will post again when I know. Good luck everyone going through similar and don't let the swine get you down.

dialysis

kevinragg wrote: »

Afraid another similar story. After 29 years service to the NHS as a health care professional with a long list of prior health conditions including but not exhaustive: Diabetes, Recurrant acute pancreatitis, kidney failure, Diverticulitis, I became ill with ME/CFS. Work dismissed me due to capability. My first attempt was refused with the old chestnut of not a permanent conditions, may recover, etc, etc. My consultant at the time gave me a letter for the NHS pensions agency stating it was a permanent condition, they ignored it and asked him to fill in a questionnaire, he refused as I had moved out of his area, they then asked my GP for a report which she did stating again it was a long term condition which I was unlikely to recover from, they ignored this and turned me down again stating no evidence (what!!!) I am having a medical privately in two weeks with an expert and paying for a health report. I am lucky my old branch of UNISON are paying for the medical, but as I now live on the Isle of Lewis and the medical is in London the flights are costing a fortune so hope it works, will post again when I know. Good luck everyone going through similar and don't let the swine get you down.

Hi there I am sorry you are going through this stupidity also. It beggars belief that even though they have medical evdience you still have been refused. how many illnessess do u need to get your pension. We are now on our final appeal second dispute and its been to Atos again and now back with pensions and we have been told we will hears as soon as possible. I am not holding out much hope especially with ,y OH having among other things ME/CFS which apparently to some does not exist and its all im my hubbys head. Good luck with yours and keep us updated.

Bigmoney2

Is it possible for your wife to take her pension 'at her own request' and take a cut for going before age 60, rather that trying for an 'ill health' pension?

It may be worth the deduction to get out of the stressful situation and she will have some income, and be able too get on with life.

Jules

kevinragg

dialysis wrote: »

Hi there I am sorry you are going through this stupidity also. It beggars belief that even though they have medical evdience you still have been refused. how many illnessess do u need to get your pension. We are now on our final appeal second dispute and its been to Atos again and now back with pensions and we have been told we will hears as soon as possible. I am not holding out much hope especially with ,y OH having among other things ME/CFS which apparently to some does not exist and its all im my hubbys head. Good luck with yours and keep us updated.

Hi, Try and keep hope. At the end of the day if we can prove we have a condition that is permanent it matters not what they believe. They have to justify their actions to the ombudsman should your final appeal fail and you as I really hope you do take it to them. I wish you sincere good luck that it does not come to that and you can post some good news on you appeal soon. Kevin

dialysis

kevinragg wrote: »

Hi, Try and keep hope. At the end of the day if we can prove we have a condition that is permanent it matters not what they believe. They have to justify their actions to the ombudsman should your final appeal fail and you as I really hope you do take it to them. I wish you sincere good luck that it does not come to that and you can post some good news on you appeal soon. Kevin

Hi Kevein Thanks for your post. we will be taking it to the ombudsman if this appeal fails. It just annoys me we cannot survive on what we are getting now and if this doesnt come to a positive end soon hubby will have to try and return to work even though he is not well enough. So much for the caring profession who again have failed to look after their own. Hope things go well with yours keep us posted as will I.:)

Mrs_Supersaver_1

Hi dialysis and dontunderstand - sorry to read of your problems when trying to claim your Nhs pensions, I found the following website really helpful : www.pensionsombudsman.org.uk. Do key in Nhs pensions and not 'injury benefit scheme'.
I also read the Nhs Pension Regulations and applied them to my individual case.
Try to get as much supporting medical evidence as possible.
State what you have done to try and help yourself get better.
If you have tried returning to work without success, state when, for how long you managed and problems encountered.

It is not easy, I tried for 3 years and am also a former nurse and in teaching profession! I was accepted for ill health retirement from LGPF but refused my 'deferred Nhs pension on ill health' grounds!!!
Proving you have explored all avenues of treatment to help you get better included me stating: I attended a aqua class with help, and also attended Depression Alliance monthly meetings with help and support (I am mobility impaired and was severely depressed because of it)
I think I applied x 3 for the Nhs pension, then waited 12 months, and read as much as possible to make a last and final claim - I was devastated when refused a 4th time. BUT it gave me a fighting spirit. I photocopied and numbered every page, made it clear and consise. I lay my 'story' out as if I was explaining to a stranger and sent the whole lot down to London to the Ombudsman.
Finally, within 12 months I had my 'deferred pension' on ill health grounds I was 53 years old then.
It can be done, it is exhausting but you must persevere.
Good luck Dialysis and Dontunderstand, please let us know how you get on.

dialysis

Mrs_Supersaver_1 wrote: »

Hi dialysis and dontunderstand - sorry to read of your problems when trying to claim your Nhs pensions, I found the following website really helpful : www.pensionsombudsman.org.uk. Do key in Nhs pensions and not 'injury benefit scheme'.
I also read the Nhs Pension Regulations and applied them to my individual case.
Try to get as much supporting medical evidence as possible.
State what you have done to try and help yourself get better.
If you have tried returning to work without success, state when, for how long you managed and problems encountered.

It is not easy, I tried for 3 years and am also a former nurse and in teaching profession! I was accepted for ill health retirement from LGPF but refused my 'deferred Nhs pension on ill health' grounds!!!
Proving you have explored all avenues of treatment to help you get better included me stating: I attended a aqua class with help, and also attended Depression Alliance monthly meetings with help and support (I am mobility impaired and was severely depressed because of it)
I think I applied x 3 for the Nhs pension, then waited 12 months, and read as much as possible to make a last and final claim - I was devastated when refused a 4th time. BUT it gave me a fighting spirit. I photocopied and numbered every page, made it clear and consise. I lay my 'story' out as if I was explaining to a stranger and sent the whole lot down to London to the Ombudsman.
Finally, within 12 months I had my 'deferred pension' on ill health grounds I was 53 years old then.
It can be done, it is exhausting but you must persevere.
Good luck Dialysis and Dontunderstand, please let us know how you get on.

Hi there thank you ever so much for this information. We are expecting a response to our final appeal anytine soon, hopefully. If again this is refused I will be making a complaint to the ombudsman and will follow your guidlines. I will of course keep you informed of the result. Congrats and well done on your persevence with yours. :T

dialysis

Hi all got an email today to say letter in post with decision bout final appeal, should get it tomorrow. Got a feeling we will be posting our appeal to the ombudsman dont hold out much hope of a positive result. But wish us luck, will let u all know tomorrow. Fingers and everything crossed please!!!!!:)

just_want_to_help

kevinragg wrote: »

Afraid another similar story. After 29 years service to the NHS as a health care professional with a long list of prior health conditions including but not exhaustive: Diabetes, Recurrant acute pancreatitis, kidney failure, Diverticulitis, I became ill with ME/CFS. Work dismissed me due to capability. My first attempt was refused with the old chestnut of not a permanent conditions, may recover, etc, etc. My consultant at the time gave me a letter for the NHS pensions agency stating it was a permanent condition, they ignored it and asked him to fill in a questionnaire, he refused as I had moved out of his area, they then asked my GP for a report which she did stating again it was a long term condition which I was unlikely to recover from, they ignored this and turned me down again stating no evidence (what!!!) I am having a medical privately in two weeks with an expert and paying for a health report. I am lucky my old branch of UNISON are paying for the medical, but as I now live on the Isle of Lewis and the medical is in London the flights are costing a fortune so hope it works, will post again when I know. Good luck everyone going through similar and don't let the swine get you down.

When you get your medical contact The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS) who are the next step before the Pension Ombudsman, they are free and allocate a Technical Specialist to your case, who will follow it all up for you, they did all teh contact for me between Atos and NHS pension service,helping me all the time.
I have ME caused by work overload and was also a nurse they stepped in at stage 1 internal dispute and i won my case for injury benefit but they will help with your pension also.
hope that helps anyone whos not getting anywhere

kevinragg

Hi Thanks,
I have been in contact with the pensions advisory also and my contact has been most helpful. I certainly add my voice to yours about contacting them.

Kevin.