Advice needed: in financial difficulty & sick

poco22

Hello!

I'm new to this so hope I'm posting in the right place etc.!

Basically I've been diagnosed with a heart condition and docs are still trying to find a medication that keeps me from collapsing on a daily basis (I've had this for over a year but only recently got worse) - I'm off sick from work at the moment and on SSP which is just not enough to even pay my rent and bills let alone food for the month.

I asked for advice off my cardiologist today and he said to try applying for disabled living allowance - I'm aware this isn't available any more and now it's personal independence allowance - He also said to speak to occupational health at my work and see if i can be moved within the company to a short-houred office job as my current job is very manual.

I'm in shock to have even been recommended the DLA thing as I've worked all my life and been to university etc. But now I'm in very unfamiliar territory and don't even know where to begin! Do I just walk into my local jobcentre and ask to speak to someone for advice? I don't want to be totally out of work but if I can only work part time will I receive any help financially?

I'm in a total panic and any advice would be very much appreciated

wildwestfan

Have you applied for help with rent and council tax? These could be sorted much more quickly than PIP.

Pop your details into http://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/ This will give you an idea of what is possible .

rogerblack

poco22 wrote: »

I don't want to be totally out of work but if I can only work part time will I receive any help financially?

I'm in a total panic and any advice would be very much appreciated

As has been mentioned - HB and council tax benefit (well - support).

PIP is not an out-of-work benefit.
However - without more information it'd be hard to guess if you'd qualify.
Do you have problems with day-day tasks around the home, require someone looking after you, or have difficulty getting around?


http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/benefits_w/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm