Is there any help out there??

bettyboo333

Hi just after some advice please be gently....I have recently had to cut my working hours with the nhs due to my ongoing health problem. I have very brittle type 1 diabetes treated by a insulin pump, and some days I experience very bad hypos especially night early morning that make me so ill I have trouble getting to work. I have never claimed any benefit in my life, and it was only after a friend of mine suggested I look into it I have been interested to find out if there is any help I can get now I've reduced my hours at work??. Money is very tight because of this so anything extra would be a real bonus.

rogerblack

bettyboo333 wrote: »

Hi just after some advice please be gently....I have recently had to cut my working hours with the nhs due to my ongoing health problem. I have very brittle type 1 diabetes treated by a insulin pump, and some days I experience very bad hypos especially night early morning that make me so ill I have trouble getting to work. I have never claimed any benefit in my life, and it was only after a friend of mine suggested I look into it I have been interested to find out if there is any help I can get now I've reduced my hours at work??. Money is very tight because of this so anything extra would be a real bonus.

You may in principle be able to claim DLA.

bettyboo333

Is DLA the same as ESA???

mazza111

No. DLA isn't an out of work benefit and can be claimed if you have care or mobility needs.

ESA is an out of work benefit.

skintmacflint

Can be quite difficult for even Brittle diabetics to claim DLA when adult.

A possiblity might be attendance allowance for overnight care if you frequently need someone to keep an eye on you during the night due to hypo's.

The UK diabetic forum (diabetes.co.uk) has a section for pump users with problems . If you haven't already you might want to try a post on there.

Sometimes pumps don't work out for people, despite the fact they're supposed to be so much more responsive to changing needs.

Hope things improve for you soon:)

PippaGirl_2

I think attendance allowance is for over 65's only

jon_rwr

bettyboo

I also have brittle type 1 diabetes and on a pump and had the same seriously scary problems with hypos, especially when asleep. If it's any help it might be worth speaking with your clinic and asking them to sponsor you for a continuous blood glucose monitor. They got one for me and sometimes I feel it's saved my life. Also, there's a monitor that you use when going to bed that gives you a very loud (!) warning when your sugar level drops to a figure you have pre-set. It scares the bejusus out of me but I sleep easier knowing it's there.

I'm a newbie so can't post links to the monitor but the Diabetes UK Careline will have details.

J.