Might have to go on benefits trying not to

Londonsu

I don't want to but may have no choice.


Story, I am 61 years old and have worked and paid into the system for 46 years, and I still want to, however I am having increasing problems with my hands, I cant use them I am in terrible pain all the time, today I had a second apt with the orthopaedic surgeon and apparently its not carpal tunnel so they cant operate, no diagnosis, no help, nothing.


So what am I going to do, I cant just give up work as my Husband gets a pension and private pension, its above the amount a couple need to live on by only a few quid (in fact its less as Hubby is paying a tax underpayment this year so he actually 'takes home' after tax less than the amount a couple need to live on) I have a small private pension but it will be less than £200 a month if I take out an annuity (sp?) and I wanted to save it until I get my state pension this mean of course we will not as a household be entitled to income based benefits including pension credit (for him)


I could apply for cont based ESA or apply for disability benefits BUT if the medical profession can't give me a diagnosis to enable me to carry on working how am I going to get a diagnosis for benefits..


I could try for other jobs (am a Charity shop manager ) but at age 61 in an unemployment black spot what other job am I going to get and if I can't do a bit of sorting, steaming and using a touch screen till without pain how am I going to sit on a computer all day without the same pain.


Pain killers are a problem I have gastric reflux so have been given Naproxen but only until the diagnosis as it has bad side affects including risk of heart disease.


So can someone, anyone give me some advise

GlasweJen

You don't need a diagnosis to claim benefits.

ESA requires sick notes from your doctor but he can write whatever he likes in the box, they don't care. At the assessment stage the DWP will read your questionnaire and any evidence that you've sent and will place you into either the work related activity group or the support group.

For PIP you can write "undiagnosed pain in hands" or "suspected

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disease" and then fill the form in as normal. You need to have the condition for 6 months and reasonably suspect that you'll have it for at least another 6 months.

missbiggles1

Might it be worth investing a bit in some private treatment for it? I had something similar (obviously not necessarily the same) when I lived on the IOW and had some excellent physio treatment (including accupuncture) with a physio at The Orchard Hospital (which seems to have closed now.)

ETA

The private consultant I saw at the Mottistone suite was useless, by the way. Could you get a referral for a second opinion? I think you'd be better looking for treatment before looking at benefits, if you can.

Darksparkle

GlasweJen wrote: »

You need to have the condition for 6 months and reasonably suspect that you'll have it for at least another 6 months.

Has that changed?

Previously you had to have the difficulties for 3 months and expect it to last a further 9 months.

Londonsu

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Might it be worth investing a bit in some private treatment for it? I had something similar (obviously not necessarily the same) when I lived on the IOW and had some excellent physio treatment (including accupuncture) with a physio at The Orchard Hospital (which seems to have closed now.)

That may be an idea I am going back to my GP was thinking about pain management clinic or something like that.


I am so very angry I haven't worked for the last 46 years just to be thrown on the scrap heap I want to work and was naïve enough to think that the medical professional would want to help me continue to do so.

Londonsu

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Might it be worth investing a bit in some private treatment for it? I had something similar (obviously not necessarily the same) when I lived on the IOW and had some excellent physio treatment (including accupuncture) with a physio at The Orchard Hospital (which seems to have closed now.)

ETA

The private consultant I saw at the Mottistone suite was useless, by the way. Could you get a referral for a second opinion? I think you'd be better looking for treatment before looking at benefits, if you can.

Yes that's what I want to do I don't want to go on benefits but cant work anymore

FBaby

I agree that regardless of what you do in terms of benefit, you shouldn't accept a 'it's not Carpal Tunnel so we don't know what it is, good by and good luck' treatment from the NHS.

Maybe you need to be referred to a Neurologist as a next step?

Bananas123

first and foremost,

don't be causing yourself damage continuing to work, and secondly, don't let the medical profession (unless i read wrong ?) not refer you elsewhere to get the problems looked at, that's a massive lack of patient care (if they can't give you a diagnosis, then they should refer you to a specialist, and again, onward seeking diagnosis) < tell them.

if you don't know the problem, then potentially when you do, there may be some form of remedy / help ? you never know.

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the criteria for money is set in stone, so no going around it.

you obviously can't get benefits, if you are working...

so if you are in pain, you need to consider, if you are able / would like to change your job to something not using your hands or if you should stop working on health grounds and apply for benefits i think < and that desicion must be / is totally yours.

the benefits process is a LONG one, so it is best to jump right in IMHO, you don't need diagnosis, you just need to tell them your problems, some of the physical descriptors are a bit specific though, but if you can't work, you can't work.

theres no shame in asking for help though, is there ?.

i think my original claim for esa, took several months, to get the WRAG rate, you can get it back dated for three months form date of ringing i think (not 100% sure) < so you do have a bit of time to seek diagnosis / time for thought etc if you go that route.

good luck with your decision though.

regards

Naf

Firstly: Claiming money, which you require in order to live, from the state isn't a benefit, it's welfare. Benefits are things like an employers healthcare plan, childcare vouchers, taxpayer funded champagne, and £30 breakfasts on expense accounts. Benefits are perks, state aid is welfare.

Secondly: Nobody ought to feel embarrassed about claiming welfare which they need; least of all someone who has paid into the system for years.You shouldn't have to suffer just to get by in life. There is no shame in any genuine reason for claiming welfare; the shame is in abusing the system, whether as a welfare claimant, employer, or tax avoider/evader.

missapril75

Naf wrote: »

Firstly: Claiming money, which you require in order to live, from the state isn't a benefit, it's welfare. Benefits are things like an employers healthcare plan, childcare vouchers,

That's interesting. That sounds very much the American attitude

British people have traditionally talked about/claimed DSS Benefits and Housing Benefits (mostly because the word Benefit has formed part of its name - disability Benefit, Housing Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Unemployment Benefit, Sickness Benefit, Child Benefit, Supplementary Benefit...see where I'm going with this? - things mostly relating to money from the state to live off.

While an employer healthcare plan is a benefit in working for that employer rather than something needed to live off.

taxpayer funded champagne, and £30 breakfasts on expense accounts.

:rotfl:
Yes, that's a luxury. A benefit of working for a particular employer. Or Government.

Naf

missapril75 wrote: »

That's interesting. That sounds very much the American attitude

British people have traditionally talked about/claimed DSS Benefits and Housing Benefits (mostly because the word Benefit has formed part of its name - disability Benefit, Housing Benefit, Invalidity Benefit, Unemployment Benefit, Sickness Benefit, Child Benefit, Supplementary Benefit...see where I'm going with this? - things mostly relating to money from the state to live off.

I'm aware that what the name for these things has become - and my point is that I object to it. Because it isn't a benefit based on the definition of the word; you're not benefiting anything by needing support from the state. Not unless you believe that not dying is a benefit, rather than a basic human right?

But no, I'm not American. Just they (for once) happen to have chosen the more appropriate word for it which doesn't attract the stigma that has become attached to "benefits", and doesn't lead to people like OP stressing about the fact they may need to claim just to live without suffering.