Benefits for illness

lkate

Hello,

I know someone with fibromyalgia (very debilitating condition that causes fatigue and pain all over the body... Similar to chronic fatigue syndrome and me). They also have bipolar depression.

She has been told by her doctor that they would happily say that she is affected by these conditions, so much so that it affects her work sometimes and has had to take time off work.
Thought I should add that she is unemployed at the present time

What benefits can she actually apply for, as the disability living allowance doesn't seem like the right one. She is able to do things such as dress herself and get around, although she is horrible pain all the time.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thank you

mynameistallulah

She should claim ESA if she is unfit for work. However if she is only affected "sometimes" I doubt she would get past the assessment stage. Could she not speak to her employer about flexible working, or seek employment that would offer this?

lkate

mynameistallulah wrote: »

She should claim ESA if she is unfit for work. However if she is only affected "sometimes" I doubt she would get past the assessment stage. Could she not speak to her employer about flexible working, or seek employment that would offer this?

She had to leave her last job because her doctor was saying that it wasn't good for her health. Plus I think asking for flexible working is easier said than done really. They don't make it easy. Especially when it was working in a care home for kids, so she would be doing sleep ins. Which really is it the best for people with fibro.

She has been looking for jobs that are better for her. But nothing yet.
When I say sometimes, i mean that she had to take 3months off for her bipolar once and more time for her back, but most of the time she just powers through even though she is in pain.
she's not the kind of person that will just take time off or ask for help. So I think it's a lot worse than she makes it out to be and she just pushes through.

She's in agony today. Finds it hard to walk up and down stairs or get in and out of the car all the time, not just when she's in pain.
She can dress herself, but finds it hard to bend down and pick things up or lift anything.

HB58

Your friend might be entitled to ESA, although it is impossible to say - firstly because we don't know enough about the way her conditions effect her, secondly because no-one can guess whether the DWP will decide in her favour. It is certainly worth applying if her conditions mean that she is not currently able to work.

DLA is a different matter. Your friend could apply for this, working or not, if she has care and/or mobility needs (even if she is not actually getting any practical help for these) but she does need to have had these problems for the past 3 months and expect them to continue for at least 6 months more.

For either of these benefits, your friend should expect to fill in pages of forms and possible attend a medical assessment.

fogartyblue.

ESA possibly. DLA - well I doubt it.
As you say, both involve a medical assessment by the DWP's own Medical Services.

What I can say that getting any level of DLA is almost impossible now, and you must bear in mind PIP is on its way in.

I have a friend that suffers from extremely debilitating Arthrits.
Neck, shoulders, arms, wrists hands, hips, knees and feet.
She can't get in the bath on her own, nor can she use zips or buttons (uses velcro fasteners now) Can't put shoes with laces on uses slippers and slip on shoes and a myriad of everyday things that people sometimes take for granted.

She has had 3 DLA claims turned down - all 3 went to the Tribunal. Their stock answer is to purchase and equip the house better so that she can look after herself. Comode downstairs for example, stools dotted around, move bed downstairs, use 'strip down washes' instead of the bath etc etc.

She can only get about with two sticks, but does have one the those rack things with two wheels to push along in front of her when she goes out.

So, with that as an example, I do doubt that a DLA claim would get anywhere apart from being kicked into the long grass!

xylophone

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_181620.pdf

Anubis_2

She can apply for both ESA and DLA - DLA is for care and mobility needs and not the actual diagnosis. There are several people with fibro and Bipolar who receive both. However, if applying, make sure she gets help from either the CAB or similar.

Chrissiew

xylophone wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_181620.pdf

Is that it now?? Surely there are more illnesses and disibilities you can claim DLA for? If not it means a lot of people with disibilites not on that list will not be able to claim anything at all:eek:

HB58

I am not sure exectlyu where that document came from (although it purports to come from Direct. Gov). This is the page that gives info re DLA http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Disabledpeople/DG_10011816


and this is the downloadable claim form

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/dla1a_adult_print.pdf

as you can see, it is rather different from the one posted above!

lkate

Thank you guys!
It terms of how long.... I'd say 10 years.
Formal diagnosis of fibro 4 years and there is no cure so both conditions likelyto last forever.
Plus she has added back and arthritic problems.

I didn't think it was likely she would get much help to be honest. But the direct giv website is just so confusing. I think they make it difficult on purpose you know!

Thanks again to everyone's replies!!

Sammylou2511

Just as an update, i have fibro and arthritis. I get esa and dla for mobility. Your friend should apply for both, especially if her gp is supportive. benefitsandwork is a good site for help on how to fill in the forms but its no good if you dont have the evidence to back it up