Claiming Benefits - In Work or Unable to Work.
This page looks at the UK state benefit system. The Conservative and Liberal Democrat Coalition made sweeping changes to the welfare system, replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with Personal Independence Payments and combining many other benefits into one single payment known as Universal Credit, significantly cutting many benefits in the process, and the new Conservative Government looks to continue the process. It is probably fair to assume that, under the guise of 'Austerity', the Government will make drastic cuts to benefits for disabled people or begin to tax them. It is also fair to say (from personal experience) that you are far more likely to be awarded benefits if you are able to hold down a job with your disability - as far as Tax Credits go you will be awarded a Disability Element providing you work at least 16 hours per week. (Correct as of 14.06.2015)
The need to claim benefits arises as the Fibromyalgia symptoms advance meaning that the ability to work is reduced to a stage of having to work part time, or give up totally. It is not always possible or convenient to work from home or do other work so the sufferer is faced with the critical issue of having to claim financial support.
Since Fibromyalgia is a long term (potentially permanent) condition sufferers who have savings or assets at the onset of the disease may find their ability to claim benefits reduced or refused based on "savings" and only later when financial hardship strikes can they become eligible.
Fibromyalgia can strike young and old so the need to claim benefits may vary based on the age of the applicant. Older people may find the process overly complex and hard to understand, whereas young professional people can "race through" the process more easily with a high degree of success.
Some people claim that Fibromyalgia can start in childhood or at least some symptoms or indication exist which may lead to greater disability later in life such is the progressive nature of the disease. Though there are others who argue it is not progressive.
Often sufferers are deterred from claiming benefits due to several reasons;
Step by step advice
UNITED KINGDOM
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk To make the best possible claims and appeals get the UK's top guides & DWP's top secrets.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk UK PIP (Personal Independence Payment) can be paid to people who cannot work full time, or have difficulties whilst working, because they are sick or disabled and are too young to get a UK State Pension – under 60 for women and under 65 for men.
http://www.direct.gov.uk UK Disability Living Allowance - sometimes referred to simply as DLA - was a tax-free benefit for UK people who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled. It is currently only awarded to children with disabilities and is gradually being replaced by PIP.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability
Good luck!
Unfortunately, applying for and obtaining disability benefits can be similar to playing a game. The skill with which you play the game often determines whether your claim is approved or denied. Remember, the DWP don't want you to have what you're entitled to by law. The new government may change and / or bend the rules to take more people out of Tax Credits, PIP or DLA (for children and the elderly). Don't think you're not eligible before you even claim - how will you ever know?
The need to claim benefits arises as the Fibromyalgia symptoms advance meaning that the ability to work is reduced to a stage of having to work part time, or give up totally. It is not always possible or convenient to work from home or do other work so the sufferer is faced with the critical issue of having to claim financial support.
Since Fibromyalgia is a long term (potentially permanent) condition sufferers who have savings or assets at the onset of the disease may find their ability to claim benefits reduced or refused based on "savings" and only later when financial hardship strikes can they become eligible.
Fibromyalgia can strike young and old so the need to claim benefits may vary based on the age of the applicant. Older people may find the process overly complex and hard to understand, whereas young professional people can "race through" the process more easily with a high degree of success.
Some people claim that Fibromyalgia can start in childhood or at least some symptoms or indication exist which may lead to greater disability later in life such is the progressive nature of the disease. Though there are others who argue it is not progressive.
Often sufferers are deterred from claiming benefits due to several reasons;
- they do not see themselves as ill or "bad enough" to claim
- lack of awareness of what benefits and other financial help is available (The DWP don't advertise what's available)
- complexity of forms to complete (The DWP want to put you off claiming)
- embarrassment - with having to undergo physical examinations and what they perceive as "interrogations" into their personal life and finances (again, The DWP want to put you off claiming)
- lack of knowledge of where to go and how to claim
- fear of rejection, of losing personal dignity and other benefits which they might currently be getting.
Step by step advice
- Maintain a symptom diary as a valuable form of information about how Fibromyalgia affects you as a particular individual with milestone summaries each month.
- Often Fibromyalgia is progressive, so even if you feel you are not currently too bad, perhaps still able to work, think ahead. Many leave claiming until they are unable to work and in serious financial hardship. The claim process can take potentially months, and whilst payment can often be back dated (at best 6 months) you may experience financial hardship until a favourable decision is made.
- Find out WHAT you can claim - normally Incapacity Benefit or DLA (Disability Living Allowance) (Where not yet replaced with Personal Independence Payment or Universal Credit.) Grants may be available for special equipment, modifying your home, or with transport.
- Are you eligible? has Fibromyalgia been formally diagnosed by your doctor and thus providing proof of your illness? You will need written proof from the doctor able to confirm your condition via forms or requests sent to them by the benefits office.
- Just because you have been diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia does NOT automatically qualify you for any state benefit. You still need to prove you are seriously disabled because of it.
- Have you claimed before and been refused? if so how long ago, how are you now - worse, or the same? Your current condition plus new knowledge and experience should help with a re-application. Often the system rejects first claims as a norm so persistence with a genuine claim should succeed.
- Get a friend or relative who understands and has the knowledge and experience of form filing to advise and help you. Contact your local CAB (UK) Citizens Advice Bureau for advice they can help fill in forms. CAB web site
- If you are asked to undergo a medical ask for it to be done AT HOME - travelling can be arduous and may reduce your chances of getting benefit if you are "fit enough for travel".
- Have someone present with you for all personal interviews or medical examinations and get them to take notes of what was done or said which may affect your claim.
- Finally remember 1 good day in 365 may deem you healthy, if you are disabled it's a 100% all the time, every day event! Fibromyalgia sufferer’s symptoms can be up and down, but overall you are disabled all the time because of it, not just some of the time as some decision makers may suggest when rejecting a claim.
UNITED KINGDOM
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk To make the best possible claims and appeals get the UK's top guides & DWP's top secrets.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk UK PIP (Personal Independence Payment) can be paid to people who cannot work full time, or have difficulties whilst working, because they are sick or disabled and are too young to get a UK State Pension – under 60 for women and under 65 for men.
http://www.direct.gov.uk UK Disability Living Allowance - sometimes referred to simply as DLA - was a tax-free benefit for UK people who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled. It is currently only awarded to children with disabilities and is gradually being replaced by PIP.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability
Good luck!
Unfortunately, applying for and obtaining disability benefits can be similar to playing a game. The skill with which you play the game often determines whether your claim is approved or denied. Remember, the DWP don't want you to have what you're entitled to by law. The new government may change and / or bend the rules to take more people out of Tax Credits, PIP or DLA (for children and the elderly). Don't think you're not eligible before you even claim - how will you ever know?