Advice please re; welfare support and state benefits, for fibromyalgia

Flossie.

Thank you.

Bennifred

If the GP suspects fibromyalgia, why hasn't he referred the patient to a rheumatologist?

Flossie.

It's early days I think Bennifred. He had just had blood tests that came up with nothing, and he is going for X rays next week. But as I said, my friend said that for 5-6 years now, he had been complaining about ailment after ailment, and they never find anything.

I think this is why she doubts him a bit.

The doctor said the symptoms sound like FM, but it hasn't be diagnosed yet. He is still telling everyone he has it though!

von

Assuming that the Doctor provides a medical certificate and if he has been working full time for the last few years he can't claim ESA as he should be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from his Employers for the first 28 weeks of his incapacity. https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay

Dependent on his and his partner's circumstances (e.g. Does she work, do they have capital, what income do they have etc) he may able to claim Income Support during this period to top up their income.
https://www.gov.uk/income-support

After the SSP has ended he can then claim ESA.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

bertie1606

Hi,
I have fibromyalgia. It was diagnosed by a consultant at the pain clinic. They diagnose it usually by touching areas of the body and seeing if there is pain there. You need to feel pain in these areas to be diagnosed, at our hospital anyway. obviously they look at the other symptoms aswell.
I get PIP, both elements at the standard rate. I work 15 hours a week over 5 days, and that still does knacker me out so I don't have any energy left.
If you work less than 16 hours a week and get less than £101 a week you can claim ESA, and that will be payable for a year if successful.
Your friends husband needs to be referred to pain clinic for diagnosis. PIP claims take a long time. I waited 9 months in total. Hope this is helpful x

Indie_Kid

bertie1606 wrote: »

I get PIP, both elements at the standard rate. I work 15 hours a week over 5 days, and that still does knacker me out so I don't have any energy left.

If you can work an extra hour per week, you can claim the disability element of tax credits.

bertie1606

Hi Indie Kid,
Thats only if you're on the enhanced rate of PIP x

Indie_Kid

No it's not. You can claim the disability element if you claim PIP and the higher rate if you claim the enhanced DL component of PIP.

bertie1606

oh, I'm sorry! I didn't think you could! If I worked 16 hours though I couldn't claim ESA, as permitted work has to be less than 16 hours?