Disability Allowance??

malibusami86

i was wondering if anybody could offer me any information and advice.

i have/had Hoffas syndrome in both of my knees. this is where (for those who dont know) a trauma has occured in the knee causing my fat pad to inflame and expand and grow between my kneecap trapping it when i move, causing alot of pain. Given that this is in both knees i cant put pressure on the other side as they are both as bad as each other

Since 2007 i have had 3 lots of keyhole surgery. the problem is still recurring. lastest mri shows where they last lasered the excess pad away so theyre sure its not grown back. However i still experience daily discomfort and pain. I have early signs of cartiledge damage and arthritis. But although the mri showed no more growth of my fat pad, it seems that the injuries and lack of mobility are obviously still causing issues (not yet known - i am being referred to a knee specialist as they have treated the obvious that was visable on the mri but may still have other problems that require different testing by a specialist) i have been given morphine to try and cope with the pain, as its so frequent even for small activity.

September last year i took a job as a receptionist at a hotel and wasnt advised until after i started that they required me to stand for the majority of my 8 hour shift. i had to leave in december due to it flaring up my pain again being in daily pain even walking or standing for short periods of time. i am still trying to correct the damage/pain caused by this job.

When looking for a new job i have had to take into consideration that i cannot work in anything such as retail as it would flare up my pain, or standing Reception duties. This has heavily restricted my opportunities. I have to take into consideration that i have been advised not to drive for long period of time so have to work locally, stand for long periods of time, and not be stuck in the same position all day (hence the lower working hours)

I now only work 2 mornings a week to accommodate the advice given by physio and consultants.

The problem that i have is that i have suffered huge loss of income because of my medical restrictions. Although i wouldnt class myself necessarily as 'disabled' i am so limited as to what jobs i can take and how many hours to try and keep pain to a minimum.

Is there any kind of 'top up' allowance if you like, to help me cope financially seeing as my loss of income is due to medical reasons?

Thanks in advance

Indie_Kid

You may be able to claim PIP, which is payable to people who have care and /or mobility needs. Just a warning - it's taking months and months to process claims. If you are awarded PIP and meet some additional criteria, you can claim working tax credit if you work at least 16 hours per week and have income below a certain level.

malibusami86

super - thank you - on the phone to make a claim now. if they reject it i havent lost anything so worth enquiring. thanks indie kid

SJI85

malibusami86 wrote: »

i was wondering if anybody could offer me any information and advice.

i have/had Hoffas syndrome in both of my knees. this is where (for those who dont know) a trauma has occured in the knee causing my fat pad to inflame and expand and grow between my kneecap trapping it when i move, causing alot of pain. Given that this is in both knees i cant put pressure on the other side as they are both as bad as each other

Since 2007 i have had 3 lots of keyhole surgery. the problem is still recurring. lastest mri shows where they last lasered the excess pad away so theyre sure its not grown back. However i still experience daily discomfort and pain. I have early signs of cartiledge damage and arthritis. But although the mri showed no more growth of my fat pad, it seems that the injuries and lack of mobility are obviously still causing issues (not yet known - i am being referred to a knee specialist as they have treated the obvious that was visable on the mri but may still have other problems that require different testing by a specialist) i have been given morphine to try and cope with the pain, as its so frequent even for small activity.

September last year i took a job as a receptionist at a hotel and wasnt advised until after i started that they required me to stand for the majority of my 8 hour shift. i had to leave in december due to it flaring up my pain again being in daily pain even walking or standing for short periods of time. i am still trying to correct the damage/pain caused by this job.

When looking for a new job i have had to take into consideration that i cannot work in anything such as retail as it would flare up my pain, or standing Reception duties. This has heavily restricted my opportunities. I have to take into consideration that i have been advised not to drive for long period of time so have to work locally, stand for long periods of time, and not be stuck in the same position all day (hence the lower working hours)

I now only work 2 mornings a week to accommodate the advice given by physio and consultants.

The problem that i have is that i have suffered huge loss of income because of my medical restrictions. Although i wouldnt class myself necessarily as 'disabled' i am so limited as to what jobs i can take and how many hours to try and keep pain to a minimum.

Is there any kind of 'top up' allowance if you like, to help me cope financially seeing as my loss of income is due to medical reasons?

Thanks in advance

Employers are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments to people with disabilities (I realise that you don't see yourself as disabled but it's likely you are classed as having a disability under the Equality Act).

Was there really nothing which, in your view at least, your previous employer could have reasonably done to allow you to perform your duties? Don't forget that when jobsearching that there probably are jobs out there which you'll discount but with one or two adjustments you are capable of doing. You may also be able to claim Access to Work funding for help with transport as you don't drive.

As for an "allowance", there is Personal Independence Payment (formerly Disability Living Allowance). It is given to people with mobility and/or care needs, whether in employment or not. However, it can be a lengthy process and will take several months before your claim is successful (if it is successful at all).

You may also be able to claim Working Tax Credits if you work between 16 - 30 hours. Normally you need to work over 30 hours to qualify. This would be under the disability element, though, so you'd need to be in receipt of a disability benefit such as PIP.

pmlindyloo

Just to clarify. PIP is a non means tested benefit so the income/savings of a partner and yourself are not taken into account.

Tax credits are either single claims (if you have no partner) or joint claims if you have a partner and to qualify you need to do a certain number of hours (depending on your circumstances) and meet the income 'rules'.

malibusami86

thank you, we already receive a small amount of tax credits for my 2 children so will maybe enquire if there is an amendment due to the diability element.

with regards to my previous employer - i advised her when i was suffering that i may need to sit during my duties but would do so respectfully to the guests. i was basically told that this was not acceptable as it was not professional. im only 5ft anyway, and me sitting on the bar stool seat was practically the same height as me standing anyway

sunnyone

You can drive without using your legs, I am in a wheelchair and I drive a hand controlled car.

SJI85

malibusami86 wrote: »

with regards to my previous employer - i advised her when i was suffering that i may need to sit during my duties but would do so respectfully to the guests. i was basically told that this was not acceptable as it was not professional. im only 5ft anyway, and me sitting on the bar stool seat was practically the same height as me standing anyway

Hmmmm...that explanation doesn't seem acceptable. Your health and wellbeing, and ability to do your job, is more important than looking professional (and is sitting down really "unprofessional"? I don't most guests would have minded). Unfortunately some employers still aren't as familiar with, or willing to follow, the law as others.

Even if a chair wasn't acceptable any decent employer should have thought of reasonable alternatives/referred you to occupational health (if there was am OH team). Please do try and keep this in mind in the future. You are, as you say, already at a disadvantage when looking for a job. You are not "disabled" in the sense that you can't do many things. You are likely quite capable of doing most jobs. It's just a case of not being shy in asking for a small amount of support when it's needed.

ispookie666

Out of the way - have you thought about having joint replacement - it would surely get rid of things and get you back on your feet. The longer you leave it -the worse it would get.
Give it a thought.

malibusami86

thank you, yes really, i should have pursued the fact that my condition was not treated fairly but i just couldnt wait to get out of there to be honest. i should have gone down a grievance road but i really didnt want the stress and upset hanging over me over christmas.

ispookie i dont think according to my last mri that there is anything wrong with the joint, doc always said it was just all the bits around it, but my referral to another specialist may involve more specific testing.

thank you all.

i have opened a claim for PIP but was terrified the entire time of the questioning yesterday i took my children out for the day and even with pain relief i didnt last long before walking and climbing the stairs became an issue =( so horrible to think that at age 27 i may need to use a walking aid to help take the pressure off my knees

nannytone_2

if you only receive child tax credit, then no disability element would be added unless a child was disabled.
you also say 'we'. do you have a working partner?
if so, how much do they earn as this affects the amount of wtc you may be entitled to