Advice with bedridden wife and what path to take

tjj1007

Hello,

My wife has been diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and is bedridden around 75% of the time. I am currently in receipt of ESA IR for long term health problems, my wife is on this claim as my partner. Given the difficulties my wife faces she requires daily help with everything, she can barely walk and is extremely poorly. Should she have her own ESA claim or PIP claim?. I am utterly confused by the various processes and what is and is not permitted when it comes to applying for one form of assistance or another. If someone could perhaps clear up what would be the best move for my wife, it would be greatly appreciated. The mounting costs of endless hospital visits out of town have finally left us to where we need to seek assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/pip

You might consider making an appointment with a Benefits Adviser at your local CAB.

tboo

tjj1007 wrote: »

Hello,

My wife has been diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and is bedridden around 75% of the time. I am currently in receipt of ESA IR for long term health problems, my wife is on this claim as my partner. Given the difficulties my wife faces she requires daily help with everything, she can barely walk and is extremely poorly. Should she have her own ESA claim or PIP claim?. I am utterly confused by the various processes and what is and is not permitted when it comes to applying for one form of assistance or another. If someone could perhaps clear up what would be the best move for my wife, it would be greatly appreciated. The mounting costs of endless hospital visits out of town have finally left us to where we need to seek assistance.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Yes - she applies for PIP and then if awarded a disability premium is added onto your ESA


another link

tjj1007

Thank you for your kind and speedy response, I will heed your advice and pursue PIP for her

poppy12345

Evidence will be needed to support a PIP claim because they very rarely contact anyone for this. Make sure it's sent with the forms, copies only of course and put NI number on all copies.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/help-with-your-claim/fill-in-form/

calcotti

To answer the other part of your question. Your ESA claim should already include your wife on it as income based ESA has to be claimed as a couple.

Mrs_Ryan

Definitely claim PIP, although be prepared for a fight. My sister has systemic sclerosis and because it is reasonably rare she found that no-one had a clue and she got rejected. She does however work full time, care for her husband who has severe bi polar, and also looks after her two sons.
She is still affected horribly by it and suffers terribly like your wife but she reckons it is the rarity as no-one much has heard of it. Good luck x

poppy12345

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

Definitely claim PIP, although be prepared for a fight. My sister has systemic sclerosis and because it is reasonably rare she found that no-one had a clue and she got rejected. She does however work full time, care for her husband who has severe bi polar, and also looks after her two sons.
She is still affected horribly by it and suffers terribly like your wife but she reckons it is the rarity as no-one much has heard of it. Good luck x

PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you daily. Evidence is needed for all claims.

Mrs_Ryan

poppy12345 wrote: »

PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect you daily. Evidence is needed for all claims.

I know this is the standard line but in practice this really is not the case. Before my mental health condition was diagnosed I was zeroed as i had no diagnosis (I actually have paperwork stating this) and I have done forms for clients who have evidenced symptoms of some things but no formal diagnosis and they have been refused due to no formal diagnosis. And if you are unfortunate enough to have a condition that is rare, such as this, and you can have evidence from the worlds leading expert and it would not make a blind bit of difference because if the assessors do not know about a condition then in my extensive experience they usually zero it as they put it down to there being no evidence of what is being claimed!
I get what you are saying as this is supposedly the theory but in practice it very much is not.

xylophone

I know this is the standard line

This seems based on what can or can't be done unaided rather than on any particular diagnosis?


https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/Migrated_Documents/adviceguide/pip-9-table-of-activities-descriptors-and-points.pdf