Hi, I have been a breathless smoker for years, however just been diagnosed with Sever COPD, What next?

[Kephre]

The thing is, I am on JSA, do I stay on it, or will I qualify for ESA? I can walk a few hundred yards (slowly) but need half an hour to recover when I get there...

[Hidden]

HI and nice to meet you. You should quality for ESA with severe COPD though no one can guarantee you will get it. You need to see your doctor about a sick note. Also ring up the BLF helpline, number under the red balloon at the top on the right. They have qualified nurses and benefits experts to help you. They open again at 10 am tomorror. Good luck with it. x

[Kephre in reply to Hidden]

I have some time to get this stuff sorted... But I was reckoning on 'If the Doctor doesn't tell me I am disabled, then I aint!' Thanks for the speedy reply Sir/Lady Coughalot...

[teaky-19]

if you want to claim esa & pip you need to be unable to walk 20 metres I would not tell anybody you can walk a couple of hundred metres or youwill stay on job seekers

[Kephre in reply to teaky-19]

Thanks Teaky

[Offcut]

gov.uk/benefits-calculators a good place to start

ESA is to see if you are able to work long or short term and will come in 2 form Support or WRAG

Support will mean they consider unable to work and can put a time for review and you will not be asked to attend back to work meetings.

WRAG means that they consider that your condition does warrant a different approach to you getting work that will suit your disability and you will be required to attend meetings to find "that job"

PIP Mobility will assess you on the fact that you are in Severe Discomfort if you walk up to 20 metres?

They are all a lot more complicated than that but they are the main conditions. ESA can be income related (means tested) or Contribution a minimum of unbroken 24 months NI payments at time of claim.

Hope that helps

[Kephre in reply to Offcut]

Thanks Offcut (Cracking Name that), I am just discovering that they are waking up people in a coma & vegatitive state and putting them down the salt mines

[Offcut in reply to Kephre]

Old CB Handle.

When I was in a coma in 2008 my line manager was asked by HR to ask me when I thought I was going to be back at work? When he refused they mentioned that he could be disciplined for not complying with their request. Once someone with the common sense gene got on to it it was sorted. ( Maybe they thought I was in a comma )

Procedures are needed but we have been given a brain for a reason.

[kimmy59]

Hello and welcome

I have severe Emphysema and I receive disability P.I.P and have done for a year, I would as suggested ring BLF for advice on all benefits. Good luck

Kim

[Kephre]

Thanks Kim

[onamission]

Welcome to the site, I have server COPD level 4 I'm unable to walk any distance without becoming breathless, along with COPD I have bulging discs from L5 down I have pins and needles in both hands and I'm unable to prepare and cook a meal if I peel veg I end up cutting myself with the knife and the last time I cooked spuds as I strained them I spilt the boiling water down me. I was turned down for ESA & PIP.

I was talking to a lady called Star she represents disabled people and is a member of UKIP I asked what UKIP plans to do with this mess of PIP & ESA she told me when Atos was set up by labour only 1% of people claiming sick benefit were fraud so they set up this company gave them a very long money printing contract. If we did a FOI we would no doubt find that the money this contract has cost the tax payer is far greater than the money they have saved but the stress people like us have gone through dealing with this company who was give a licence to treat us how they wanted is not even measurable. The tories are also to blame they have gone along with this and no doubt will continue to do so I would like the rule changed so that people like us get fast tracked and awarded benefits I put in a fresh claim for ESA June 14 20013 that is a year and still I'm waiting for a reply I haven't even had a face to face assessment yet. I wish you the best of luck

[Kephre in reply to onamission]

Having seen the hoops you need to jump through, I may not bother... But I will never fulfill my dream of becoming an Opera Singist, my lungs not up to it... (Neither is my larynx!)

[helingmic in reply to Kephre]

Kaphra, you say this, but in our area Canterbury an the coastal area, there is a study from the University of Kent on the benefits of singing. In fact, from that study, a prof has started several study groups to determine how beneficial singing is. I have joined the group that is specific for lung problem and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. So never say boo to singing, even if you won't become an opera singer, you still might find a group of the same sort in your area, worth enquiring ... and doing!

[Offcut in reply to helingmic]

we have a COPD singing group at my local hospital

[helingmic in reply to Offcut]

Offcut, I hope you have joined It's really worth it, for health and for company.

[Kephre in reply to helingmic]

Thanks for the encouragement Helingmic, I love Opera, and I love singing; however, my Local Neighbourhood Watch Group got up a petition, the first six names on it were all my kids.... Seriously, that's fascinating bit of news; giving your lungs a good blow-out while having fun, and standing still has got to be a good idea? I will look into it!

[helingmic]

Others have responded well on JSA, ESA and PIP. To me, you are in a good position to take charge of your illness and your body. Take the opportunity to ask your consultant or your GP to be enrolled in Pulmonary Rehabilitation. this is monitored by pulmonary nurses in a group of people affected by lung disease. The nurses and physiotherapist assess you capacity, and set you to gentle exercises for 6 weeks. During those, they explain what lung problems are, show tips (like how to overcome shortness of breath after an exercise). This is vital in helping you improve. You can look exercises for COPD on You Tube. I do the 8 pieces of brocade which are 8 exercises from the medical Chinese section of martial art. These help you with gaining more energy and maintain your fitness. Have a look!

Keep active to improve your shortness of breath. I've done it, especially after 2010, when I was in hospital with a life threatening infection (TB and pneumonia). I know I can get nasty infections, especially during Autumn. But before I get sick I want to keep well and go to the gym! Hope this helps.

[helingmic]

Kaphra, you say this, but in our area Canterbury and the coastal area, there is a study from the University of Kent on the benefits of singing. In fact, from that study, a prof has started several study groups to determine how beneficial singing is. I have joined the group that is specific for lung problem and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. So never say boo to singing, even if you won't become an opera singer, you still might find a group of the same sort in your area, worth enquiring ... and doing!

[B0xermad]

well you should get ESA my sister was in the same situation last month and she was eligable