Am I entitled to any financial help?

BenNorbert

It is with some trepidation I create this thread as it takes five minutes with a search button to find some forums with some very nasty comments been flung at people who’ve asked similar questions but here it goes:

I was medically discharged from an officer training course after damaging my knee on an assault course. This was in the same year that my mum died leaving me a small inheritance that I am using to help fund my living and private knee surgery as the NHS is taking too long and the pain is overwhelming sometimes.

I was working less than 6 months and so could only have got income based ESA not contribution and with more than 16,000 in savings I wasn’t eligible for that either. I was also denied DLA which came as a real shock as the only way I can get around with crutches and the doctor who examined me said I should definitely receive it.

So right now I am living with my girlfriend (rent free and feeling awful about it) and my savings are continually going down and with my private surgery I’ll soon be under the 16,000 threshold, but will I even be able to even claim anything after surgery? I’ll be unable to walk for at least a month and the prognosis suggests I’ll continually have issue with my knee which may be life-changing.

Torry_Quine

Living with your girlfriend means that for income based benefits you are assessed as a couple. If she is working its unlikely you will be entitled to ESA. PIP which replaced DLA means you have to have had the needs for 3 months and expected to last for at least 9

BenNorbert

Ah I see thank you Torry,

DigForVictory

Let's be positive & start with Turn2us and Entitled to

However both of these make a few assumptions:
They won’t work if you’re under 18, and you won’t get an accurate and detailed calculation if you’re:
a student
not a British or Irish citizen
on strike
living outside the UK
living permanently in residential care or a nursing home, or
a prisoner

Also they'll Miss Out on the whole Ex-Serviceman bit. So, give those a pop, and see what the brothers in arms aftercare can suggest?

Try not to let living with the girlfriend get you down - it could be loads worse & I'm sure you do your best to pull your weight.

Very best of luck with the surgery - and may this all be academic in another year!

BenNorbert

Thanks! From the calculators I can see that I won't get a penny (although they say I should get DL/PIP?) I just don't understand how they could decline me for DLA!

My gf has been amazing and I hope to repay her in the future but it's very hard for me to accept so much help from her. But I suppose that's just my stupid pride talking.

tomtontom

I would reapply for PIP if you're still having problems after you've had time to recover from the surgery. It is very much for long term problems, and at this point it is not clear what your long term prognosis is.

In the meantime, could you look at some temporary work of a sedentary nature?

BenNorbert

I've been attempting to find a job as a call operator but whenever I explain I won't be able to come into the office they usually decline me.

It has been far harder than I ever imagined to find an sedentary job.

Pete268

BenNorbert wrote: »

It is with some trepidation I create this thread as it takes five minutes with a search button to find some forums with some very nasty comments been flung at people who’ve asked similar questions but here it goes:

I was medically discharged from an officer training course after damaging my knee on an assault course. This was in the same year that my mum died leaving me a small inheritance that I am using to help fund my living and private knee surgery as the NHS is taking too long and the pain is overwhelming sometimes.

I was working less than 6 months and so could only have got income based ESA not contribution and with more than 16,000 in savings I wasn’t eligible for that either. I was also denied DLA which came as a real shock as the only way I can get around with crutches and the doctor who examined me said I should definitely receive it.

So right now I am living with my girlfriend (rent free and feeling awful about it) and my savings are continually going down and with my private surgery I’ll soon be under the 16,000 threshold, but will I even be able to even claim anything after surgery? I’ll be unable to walk for at least a month and the prognosis suggests I’ll continually have issue with my knee which may be life-changing.

Hi,

Firstly you do realise that as you were injured in service and then discharged you are entitled to Priority Treatment (subject to clinical need) on the NHS don’t you? If you explain this to your GP and hospital consultant it may bump you up the queue for surgery and may save you having to go privately. Details here:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Militaryhealthcare/veterans-families-reservists/Pages/veterans.aspx

Secondly as you were injured in service you should be entitled to claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (or if the injury was pre April 1995, under the War Pension Scheme). This should have all being explained when you were medically discharged, but if not use the contacts I list in the next paragraph.

You would probably be best contacting either Veterans UK and ask to speak with a Welfare Manager from the Veterans Welfare Service on 0808 1914 218, and/or the Royal British Legion ‘Legionline’ on 0808 802 8080. Either should point you in the right direction, and in particular both can assist you with claiming the relative benefits you could be entitled to.

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/veterans-welfare-service
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/

Pete

winterstar

Do not assume that just because you have some mobility problems you are entitled to PIP. You are getting around with crutches without any significant impact then you are mobile. Unless you need help with personal care, supervision when doing day to day things, can feed yourself etc then you probably won't qualify. Also, as a previous poster said, you have to have had the condition for three months with a likelihood that it will go on for nine.

I've met people without limbs who don't get PIP - this is how it is these days.

OldMotherTucker

winterstar wrote: »

Do not assume that just because you have some mobility problems you are entitled to PIP. You are getting around with crutches without any significant impact then you are mobile. Unless you need help with personal care, supervision when doing day to day things, can feed yourself etc then you probably won't qualify. Also, as a previous poster said, you have to have had the condition for three months with a likelihood that it will go on for nine.

I've met people without limbs who don't get PIP - this is how it is these days.

Pain and timeliness count for more:(