Free Eye Test And Other Benefits ESA

SofaChillReview

Hello I recently have been having abdominal problems on an off for about six years but they have gotten so bad I now have fainting, pain on area, breathing problems etc.!
This is also made me agorphobia (or basically I can't put a curtain on or painta room without breathless or pain)
It limits food and I haven't touched a drop of the devil's drink for nearly two years.
I had been working last ten years and been off work 10 months on ESA.
I need eyes doing and even though only 28 Specsavers will do a free eye test at home which is very good.
It looks like it is my gall bladder so once whipped out I can go back to work since it's part of the family business I'm lucky in that sense.
ANYWAY;

My main question was going to be about other side of benefits I should look at first before, I am on a waiting list so I know I won't be done too soon for a bit anyway, would be nice to get something back I suppose and wondered if there was anything else I should be looking into too.

poppy12345

SofaChillReview wrote: »

Hello I recently have been having abdominal problems on an off for about six years but they have gotten so bad I now have fainting, pain on area, breathing problems etc.!
This is also made me agorphobia (or basically I can't put a curtain on or painta room without breathless or pain)
It limits food and I haven't touched a drop of the devil's drink for nearly two years.
I had been working last ten years and been off work 10 months on ESA.
I need eyes doing and even though only 28 Specsavers will do a free eye test at home which is very good.
It looks like it is my gall bladder so once whipped out I can go back to work since it's part of the family business I'm lucky in that sense.
ANYWAY;

My main question was going to be about other side of benefits I should look at first before, I am on a waiting list so I know I won't be done too soon for a bit anyway, would be nice to get something back I suppose and wondered if there was anything else I should be looking into too.

Only Income related benefits will automatically entitle someone to free nhs treatment. If you're claiming Contribution based ESA you will not automatically be entitled to the free eye test. You need to check your award notice before having that eye test. If you go ahead and tick the incorrect box then you'll have a fine ontop of the cost for the eye test.

If you are claiming Contribution based ESA, you can claim help with the NHS low income scheme, but for this you'll need fill in out a form.

As for other benefits, there's PIP. PIP isn't awarded based on a diagnosis, it's how those condtions affect you daily. It's not means tested either, so household income makes no difference. See the links here.
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php

The PIP self test is only a guide on what you could possibly claim.

To start a claim off you need to ring PIP. You'll need evidence about how your condition affects you daily. You also must have had the condition for 3 months and expect it to last at least a further 9 months.

BorisThomson

This is also made me agorphobia (or basically I can't put a curtain on or painta room without breathless or pain)

Do you mean agoraphobic? That's a mental health condition, and very different to putting up a curtain or painting.

SofaChillReview

Penitent basically hit the nail on the head. The biggest problem is the pain itself and being able to do very little (just to add insult to injury I also have avascular necrosis of both hips which means I can't move great as it is, I am catch really haha)
But yes homebound is the best term although because of how large the pain is sometimes I do struggle to get out and about and feel stupid, self loathe if out and about all very sad really. When it was all starting I sort of didn't get it checked out since I was studying veterinary at the time as well then I qualified and BAM got too much!
To actually go on benefits the first time was tough enough to be honest still getting my head around it all!