gary

[jackjack29]

i have been diagnosed with copd and seems the only benefit i am entitled to is pension credits tried disability but i am still mobile cant work i am 63 yrs old is this the only help i can get

[aberdeenman]

hi you can try for pip you get that whether your working or not. its based on what you can and cant do, not on your illness.

tam

[tomc]

Also, to add to Tams post, as you are 63, you should be on ESA, If you have a successful pip claim you could then apply for TO GET ESA into the support group.

ESA support group means you are unfit for work and unlikely to be fit in the foreseeable future.

You can look for appropriate work while on ESA, but you are not forced to get work if you feel you are too unwell.

You need to make applications as soon as possible, and be clear about how your disability affects your daily living and quality of life ( for both PIP & ESA ).

You need to do these NOW because once you hit 65 you will not qualify for any of them.

Tom.

[Hidden]

Hi there,

PIP is the benefit to go for. You have to apply before you are 65 or you can only apply for Attendance Allowance, which has no element of mobility in it. Read everything carefully and get Citizens Advice or Age Concern to help you fill it in and with what to say at your assessment. Remember, it is based on how your condition affects your ability to lead your daily life, cook, wash, dress, go out, socialise etc. Awhenwe have a lung condition it often gives us a great deal of anxiety which can affect whether we are able to go out or socialise. They seem to put quite a lot of importance on this and it gets you more points which add up to the award. Good luck.

[Offcut]

I would look at speaking to CAB or Age UK who both have benefit advisers. I got ESA Support after a long fight with the DWP and going to Tribunal but lost out on DLA/PIP as I did not know how to answer the questions when I applied. It is all down to the wording in a lot of the cases. Never say on a good day only on a better day! Sounds silly but it has got to that now.

Be Well

[bessymax in reply to Offcut]

you are so right Offcut ,it is so silly but you have to say how and what you are like on a bad day !!and as we all know bad days we are so disabled we cant do anything even if we try ....plus many have other conditions as well to tolerate ,i dont think there is any need for all those silly questions ...when all they need to do is contact your doctor .....and it depends who you get at interview ......

[Offcut in reply to bessymax]

There is another problem my doctors are rubbish and probably leave it to the receptionist to answer questions.

I have consultant letters that state my conditions in detail but they still keep to their original thoughts when they see me!

[Hidden]

HI I presume you are retired and get your state pension? If so you would apply for Attendance Allowance and not PIP. Depending on your circumstances you might be able to get Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax rebate.

Why don't you give BLF a ring? They have a benefits advisor there. The number is under the red balloon.

You can also contact Age UK or Help the Aged as they should be able to give you advice.

A good site to look on is direct.gov.uk Good luck. x

[Nikkers]

Forget it after you hit 65 - there's no help at all other than Pension credit. I was told - "disability comes with age", so don't expect any sympathy from them. I have a lady through Age Concern for I hour each week to clean for me, but I have to pay for that. Once you have trouble with mobility, you may get a blue badge but they take a lot of convincing before they give you one. Good luck.

[Eleanor1955]

Try benefits and work website it's about 15/20 pounds a year to join but well worth it as the handbooks that help you to complete claim forms are really good.

[bessymax]

hi ,I have recently got PIP I am on pension .i have tried 4 times and got turned down .i also have arthritis I retired at 60 ...now 64 .....because of disc problems in my back and neck but have only been awarded the low rate ...I don't qualify for the Mobility part ...but was given a blue badge 4 yr ago ....when I​ had to pack in work ....but couldn't get anything else at that time ....