Need some help

Benzh

I'm 22, finished college this year but since the age of 12 I have had IBD. The years have been a struggle which constant flare ups but fortunately I had parents who were able to help out.

I don't leave the house, constant on the toilet, constant pain from cramps etc.. Unless you have IBD it's difficult to really explain, those who do will know what a nightmare it is living with.

Anyway, college has ended so now it's down to me to work. Ill be meeting my specialist next week where we be discussing surgery. No idea how long the the first set of tests take but once I have the operation, getting used to the changes & making sure the area has fully healed is an average of 3 months. Once that's done I will be out looking for work as going by what I have read, ill have my life back. No worrying about tablets, foods, where the nearest toilet is etc..

During the time I'm in hospital & healing is there anything I can claim?
I hate that I'm 22 and basically live off my parents but I don't know what to do.
Until I have the operation stepping outside is a huge ordeal. Luckily through the bulk of college I wasn't on a flare up.


Hopefully you can appreciate my situation, my words don't really do it any justice.
Just know if I could work, I would be. Being confined to the house almost every day is not a life I chose.


I appreciate the help
Thanks

pmlindyloo

I am so sorry to hear of your situation and sincerely hope that it gets 'sorted'.

As a single person who in unable to work due to illness you can apply for Employment Support Allowance. You will need a fit note from your doctor.

BUT, depending on what area you live in you may have to apply for Universal Credit.

The simplest way to find out is to ring the UC helpline.

Number is in this link:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/universal-credit-eligibility/

Benzh

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I am so sorry to hear of your situation and sincerely hope that it gets 'sorted'.

As a single person who in unable to work due to illness you can apply for Employment Support Allowance. You will need a fit note from your doctor.

BUT, depending on what area you live in you may have to apply for Universal Credit.

The simplest way to find out is to ring the UC helpline.

Number is in this link:

snip url

Just had a look on their site at the requirements.

You can't get Universal Credit if any of the following apply
-you can't work or look for work (eg because of illness or disability)

Until I have recovered I won't be doing anything for 2-3 months, hopefully it will be a bit sooner but I can't promise anything.


Thanks

pmlindyloo

Benzh wrote: »

Just had a look on their site at the requirements.

You can't get Universal Credit if any of the following apply
-you can't work or look for work (eg because of illness or disability)

Until I have recovered I won't be doing anything for 2-3 months, hopefully it will be a bit sooner but I can't promise anything.


Thanks

If you've checked that you are not in a post code where this doesn't apply then make an application for ESA.

Se this link:

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

You will need a fit note from your doctor.

Benzh

pmlindyloo wrote: »

If you've checked that you are not in a post code where this doesn't apply then make an application for ESA.

Se this link:

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

You will need a fit note from your doctor.

Perfect. I gave my local Job center a call and have setup a meeting/interview to speak about ESA.

Thank you very much for the help

TELLIT01

At the JC they may ask how you managed to attend college but now can't leave home at all. Is it a case that the IBD has worsened? Is it intermittent?
Not looking for you to post replies here, just making you aware of the sort of thing you may be asked. If your GP will provide you with a medical certificate you can certainly put in a claim for ESA which will be paid at the assessment rate until you have the medical and a decision is made on longer term entitlement.

Benzh

TELLIT01 wrote: »

At the JC they may ask how you managed to attend college but now can't leave home at all. Is it a case that the IBD has worsened? Is it intermittent?
Not looking for you to post replies here, just making you aware of the sort of thing you may be asked. If your GP will provide you with a medical certificate you can certainly put in a claim for ESA which will be paid at the assessment rate until you have the medical and a decision is made on longer term entitlement.

College was a nightmare but my teacher gave me a lot of leeway. I must have missed half the year due to my health. I'm currently on a flare up which can last days to months which is why I'm going down the surgery route.

Constantly on the toilet, painful cramps, constantly tired, gas etc.. I have no quality of life at all. Like I say, I'm 22 and have done nothing with my life because I can barely leave the house.

Ill be getting a Ileostomy/Stoma which will give me my life back. Once they remove the infected area I should hopefully be cured. Might have to go to the toilet in a bag but I fine with that if I can actually start to live.

My specilist won't have any problem giving me the necessary paperwork to confirm everything.

That's the problem with IBD, one minute you can be fine the next keeled over in tremendous pain and then having to dash to the toilet. It comes on in the split of a second.


All I can do is explain myself, it will be for 3-4 months and hopefully they can help me out for that period

When_the_going_gets_tough

Make your claim for esa backed up by a fit note what used to be called a sick note from your doctor. You will then get an esa 50 to complete. Try to seek advice from cab to complete this or have a look at their website which takes you through the forms. You will then be assessed by a face to face medical. However by then you might be fit enough to work. You don't actually need a meeting to claim esa you can do it ove the phone Google esa claim number. Best of luck to you.