My employer finally terminated my contract last month because of the nature of my job and the deteriorating condition of my knee.
I have tricompartmental osteoarthritis in my knee which has now got to the point where every step I take is sore, my job was contracting to a large company working on kitchen equipment and required a lot of kneeling, walking and driving, all of which was becoming increasingly difficult. The company at first were ok, letting me rest my knee during flair ups but as these became more frequent and more intense they understandably found it difficult to accommodate my physical limitations. I have worked in the same industry virtually all my life and my administration skills were limited, I am typical of my generation to be honest with computers, I can get by but I am rather slow.
Anyway I am now unemployed but I have a decent deferred final salary pension with a previous employer that I could start drawing on, however when I looked into that it appears that if I take my pension before I’m 60 I have a 20% reduction unless there’s a medical reason that qualifies for an unreduced pension. The 3 conditions for an unreduced pension are being unable to do my normal job, losing or having a reduced income and the injury or illness causing this is permanent. Now a doctor will need to sign off the last bit to say it’s permanent so I saw my doctor who was reluctant to sign it, argued that I have not even been put on a waiting list for the knee replacement yet and until that’s done the condition is permanent (at the moment I have been told that I am too young and they will just try to manage the pain until I’m nearer 60). My doctor referred the question to the orthopaedic surgeon who said I will need a total knee replacement but once it’s done I should be fine therefore it isn’t permanent, which basically leaves me unemployed and unlikely to get any employment with the deteriorating state of my health, no income and unable to draw a pension I paid into for 30 years unless I am prepared to take a big reduction. It is completely frustrating and when you see stuff from the prime minister criticising the so called sick note culture I wonder how many other people are out there in a a similar situation to me who just want to get their treatment done and get their lives back on track but are banging their heads against a brick wall. I didn’t really want to go down the benefits route but I’m being left with little choice.
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Wolf68
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Hi at 58 I was diagnosed with severe heart failure and dilated cardiomyopathy, it was a shock as I had no idea I was ill, it was caused by a faulty gene. I was unable to work again.I applied and eventually got ESA which is based on my contributions and not means tested I was put in what they call a support group meaning I get it without a review until I get my state pension at 66. It was a struggle like all benefits to get, I had worked since I was 15 and never claimed anything so I was shocked at the way DWP operate. I had to take my civil service pension when I left it's not very big but I couldn't live without it , DWP take it into account and deduct a % off my ESA.
I also got PIP I live in Scotland and we have our own equivalent now. I got the higher amount at first but after my transplant they put me down to standard. Due to my health at the moment I have applied for a change of circumstances although I am not holding my breath they are awful to deal with.
If you are going to apply for any of the above definitely get help with the forms DWP will do anything not to give it to you even though you are limited in what you can do. PIP is awarded on how your disability affects your daily life i.e how far you can walk can you manage personal needs, what you need help for etc. The citizens advice bureau can help with the forms and there are a lot of information online about it. I hope you are successful it is such a shock to have to give up work due to illness. If there is anything else you want to ask just just message me. Char
Look up tier 3 ill health retirement. I worked for the council for over 41 years in a very physical heavy job. They too wanted me sacked for ill health with, they said a nice reference! Very long story but in the end they gave me a tier 3 ill health retirement, which should pay your pension with no reduction for up to three years. If you still can not work after that time, they can (might be a fight) move you up to tier two which is permanent(usual rules apply)and with no reduction. You should get a review at 18 months where it can be altered to: either back to work, continue, or move up a tier. You could not/can not be paid a tier three past three years. You can also apply for ESA but as you worked it’ll be governed by the amount of private pension you get, so, pension up, ESA down and no extras with it, like glasses, dental etc. And of course you can try for PIP. If I haven’t got all the info correct, apologies. But it sent me potty in the end trying to work it out. Good luck. Ps. If you return to work after the three years you carry on paying in your pension.
I worked for local government and I had to see the government approved doctor, (which I was very nervous of doing.) He examined me and asked many questions and confirmed I was unfit for work. I had a different ailment, not arthritis but the process was the same. It may be worth going down that route by asking HR.
If you have no luck then I certainly advise you to make an appointment with Citizens Advice. They were very good when I needed my husband to be my carer and sorted out things like Council Tax and other benefits.
Also it may be worth seeing a different gp who may be willing to refer you to the orthopaedic surgeon and express the increased urgency to have your op.
I had my first knee replacement at 48 so the adage of being too young is not necessarily true. It depends on understanding doctors who believe in quality of life over long term pain.
I do wonder whether the surgeons are reluctant to put more patients on an already long waiting list.
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