Unsure about how/ what to claim ..

Howdy !

I am in a strange position . I inherited myasthenia gravis approx 5 years ago . I was also in full employment until Nov 2016, when I had enough of everything , sold my flat , relocated and took time out to recover and start again when I am ready .

I am basically the invisible man , as I did not claim any form of benefits as I A) wasn't well enough & B ) don't want to be treated like crap from the gvt when in total have spent less than six months unemployed since I left school .

I now have to get back on the radar and look for part time work , mornings only . I say this, as in November I joined the Royal Mail Christmas temps , but the hours were too late/ awkward and my left eye was dropping after about an hour .

Myasthenia is a disability, meaning I get free prescriptions .

I will have to claim Jobseeker's Allowance , and hopefully something for this condition I have .
Thing is , how do I apply for these 2 things ? Are they seperate depts?
I was kindly advised by a poster in my main diary that it's best to see a disability assessor to help fill in the forms . Where would I find one?
Do I need to see my doctor first ?
Regarding the disability : I have been seeing a personal trainer and have been weeding myself off of prednisolone , hopefully to finish it for good in the summer .
I'm a little confused and wary . I've had 2 years of much needed recuperation , but realise I cannot keep off the radar for much longer .

Please could somebody advise
Not sure if this is the right section for this query
Thank you
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Comments

  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,847
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    More information will be needed to advise you further. Are you single, living with a partner, have dependent children, other household income, rent or own your home? Have you worked and paid enough NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years? If you don't want to give out this information then you'll need to speak to your local CAB for a full benefits check.


    In the meantime have you looked into claiming PIP? It's not means tested so other income doesn't affect it. It's not awarded based on a diagnosis, it's how your conditions affect you. You must have also had the condition for 3 months and expect it to last a further 9 months. More information in links provided.
    http://www.mybenefitsandwork.co.uk/pip/indexxx.php


    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/


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


    Evidence will also be needed to support a claim and if you decide to apply a face to face assessment is most likely needed as most have them.
  • Thanks poppy . Lots to look at there :)
    Basically : I'm single / no dependants /no other income / homeowner on,leasehold flat / I quit work in Nov 2016 and haven't worked or paid into contributions since then . I am 56 :eek:
    I was at my last ( awful job ) for over 9 years .

    This condition is life changing . No cure , can go into remission .

    Do i see someone , or do I apply for various things online ?
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,847
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    Then it will have to be Universal Credit because Income related ESA isn't possible now as all areas are a full UC area.


    New style ESA isn't possible because you need to have paid your NI contribution is tax years 2016/7 and 2017/8 for a claim.


    You won't be able to claim UC if you have savings of £16,000 and over. It will be reduced if you have savings of £6,000 and more. To start a claim then see this link. https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit


    As you have a limited capability for work (LCW) then you'll need sick/fit notes from your GP. Single person over 25 standard allowance is £317.82 per month. There's at least a 5 week wait for your first payment. You'll need to attend your local job centre for your first appointment.



    Whether or not you'll be required to look for work will depend on your work coach but handing in fit notes doesn't automatically entitle you to LCW. Some work coaches will require you to do less hours, very few will turn them off completely. If you condition means you can't do the required hours then you'll need to speak to your work coach.


    Eventually you'll be referred for a work capability assessment and you'll be sent a UC50 form. This will need to be filled in and return along with all your evidence to prove how your conditions affect your ability to do any type of work. You'll most likely have to attend a face to face assessment as most people have them. A report will them be returned to DWP and a decision will be made on your claim.



    LCWRA pays an extra £328 per month on top of the standard allowance above.



    Council tax reduction needs to be claimed from your local council.
  • Thank you so much once again poppy :)
    I have been proactive , looking at all the links that you sent in your first post .

    Naturally, I will find this overwhelming as there is a lot to take in ,for someone that hasn't done anything like this before :)

    Before I mention my thoughts about the links above, I must ask one stupid question :o : if I quit my job in November 2016 , doesn't that mean that I do fall into the tax year 2016/2017?

    Further investigation upon looking at the links : There is no way that I will get any of the obvious disability claims as I can move around , don't use any aids such as a walking stick and can fully clothe myself etc.

    LCW , does however seem to be the way to go as you very kindly mentioned . I can get notes from my doctor etc and I have been seeing a specialist in st Thomas ,s hospital on a six month basis .
    Also, Mr. Trainer at the gym sent him a letter and the specialist is impressed with my determination to improve everything etc.

    I did save the j s a link that you sent yesterday , and was going to fill in and an interview be arranged by them .

    I haven't looked at your last link just yet .

    Sorry about all of the questions .

    I only have 2 more ( I think for now:o) :
    Do I fill in a LCW , and j s a ? Regarding council tax : I have thankfully paid everything up to date . Do I contact them separately ?

    Thank you so much
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,847
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    Thank you so much once again poppy :)
    I have been proactive , looking at all the links that you sent in your first post .

    Naturally, I will find this overwhelming as there is a lot to take in ,for someone that hasn't done anything like this before :)

    Before I mention my thoughts about the links above, I must ask one stupid question :o : if I quit my job in November 2016 , doesn't that mean that I do fall into the tax year 2016/2017?

    Further investigation upon looking at the links : There is no way that I will get any of the obvious disability claims as I can move around , don't use any aids such as a walking stick and can fully clothe myself etc.

    LCW , does however seem to be the way to go as you very kindly mentioned . I can get notes from my doctor etc and I have been seeing a specialist in st Thomas ,s hospital on a six month basis .
    Also, Mr. Trainer at the gym sent him a letter and the specialist is impressed with my determination to improve everything etc.

    I did save the j s a link that you sent yesterday , and was going to fill in and an interview be arranged by them .

    I haven't looked at your last link just yet .

    Sorry about all of the questions .

    I only have 2 more ( I think for now:o) :
    Do I fill in a LCW , and j s a ? Regarding council tax : I have thankfully paid everything up to date . Do I contact them separately ?

    Thank you so much
    To be able to claim New style Contributions based ESA it's year 2016/17 and 2017/18 that count, so you possibly won't qualify. See link. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/contribution-based-benefits


    I didn't put a link for JSA, it was for UC. This is the new means tested benefit that's replaced 6 of the old benefits. It's 1 monthly payment for everything, except Council tax reduction.

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


    You haven't mentioned whether you rent or own your home. If you rent it and need claim for help with this then this will be in with your UC monthly payment. if you rent privately then you'll need your tenancy agreement to be able to claim the housing element of UC.



    If you're claiming LCW then you'll need sick notes from your GP.
  • another_casualty
    another_casualty Posts: 6,506
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    edited 17 January 2019 at 3:36PM
    Thanks again poppy :)
    I'm a homeowner no mortgage , leasehold flat . So it looks like it's universal credit . I'll be checking these links today .
    Onwards and ( hopefully ) upwards I guess :)..
  • another_casualty
    another_casualty Posts: 6,506
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    edited 4 February 2019 at 7:07PM
    So I joined universal credit on 29 jan . I seem to have an understanding as to what I can expect :eek:.
    I was given an appointment to attend on the 30th jan ( next day in the afternoon ) . Within 10 mins I was given a message that I shouldn't go as the Poole job centre was closed .
    I know that I have to input stuff into my " journal"every day such as job searches . The cv has obviously been uploaded .

    I was denied any payment towards my service charges on my flat as I haven't been on universal credit for 9 months .

    The one thing I must do urgently , is to contact my doctor regarding getting the "sick note " uploaded onto the universal credit system .
    I was going to arrange appointment ASAP . I saw my personal trainer who said I should write a letter describing what I require and why.
    ( ltd working hours / early mornng / 16 hrs due to tiredness. My left eye collapses when tired ).

    I was thinking of uploading my medical documentation over the last 5 years onto the universal credit website .
    Your thoughts ?
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 17,847
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    I was thinking of uploading my medical documentation over the last 5 years onto the universal credit website .
    Your thoughts ?
    No, this is not correct. You need to keep this evidence because your work coach will eventually refer you for a work capability assessment. Once this is done you'll receive a work capability assessment form (UC50)



    You'll need to fill this in, send it to arrive no later than the date stated in the letter and send all your evidence with the form. After this you'll most likely receive an appointment to attend a face to face assessment with a health care professional. During this appointment you'll be asked questions about how your conditions affect your ability to do any type of job.


    After this a report will be returned to DWP and then a decision will be made on your claim. The decision will either be limited capability for work (LCW) limited capability for work related activity (LCWRA) or fit for work.


    See link for the descriptors for entry into each of the groups.
    https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Ill-Injured-or-Disabled/Universal-Credit-Capability-for-work-assessment


    This is for ESA but it applies to UC too.
    http://www.cpag.org.uk/content/making-exception


    This is a guide for ESA50 but the UC50 is the same.

    https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/
  • Thank you so much once again poppy .
    I was under the impression that I would have to obtain a sick note from my doctor ASAP . So , it's best to wait to be contacted by my work coach ?

    Sorry to sound so naive . :o
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