Hi everyone I have COPD and gave up doing my job as a carer Aug last year because of the breathlessness. I'm currently walking daily to try and regain some of my lung capacity after having an exacerbation in April. I am currently getting universal credit which is only £409 a month this just covers my direct debits and my son pays my mortgage as he now lives with me. I would like to know how others get by and if you are still employed and if your work place are sympathetic to your condition. I am constantly being contacted by the benefits people regarding getting a job, they are not sympathetic to my condition whatsoever I am now being forced to join a back to work organisation to try and redo my CV and try help me find employment. I feel after shielding and not being fit I'm not ready for this step but I've no choice my benefit will stop if I don't comply. I'm awaiting pulmonary rehabilitation but because of covid it's not happening yet. Any replies will be greatly appreciated thanks,
Employment : Hi everyone I have COPD... - Lung Conditions C...
Employment
Hi and welcome Jake, I can't help with the predicament that you find yourself in but the BLF have a benefits advisor called Biddy. It might be worthwhile to give her a call.
Have you applied for pip. Also apply for council tax reduction. And if you have a car apply for Blue badge. Is your son your carer ie.do you need help in the home with daily living he could apply to be your carer. Think if he is working he could still but check it out. Did you have mortgage cover we did but forgot when we applied it paid the mortgage for a year. Read up about pip. Good luck
Hi spacecat 1 I very much doubt that I would qualify for pip as I can do things for myself like washing and dressing. I wouldn't qualify for a blue badge either. Or council tax reduction as my son is living with me. I need to check what my mortgage insurance covers. I just feel anxious at the moment I feel the benefit people are pushing me. Thanks for your reply.
Hi Jake25 many people do things for themselves and successfully claim PIP but to qualify for pip you have to show the level of discomfort pain or difficultly you have doing the tasks. It’s important that you state the activities you do that cause you to become breathless (this is indicating you have a level of discomfort, pain or difficulty) as that’s one of the factors PIP take into account. Even if you do all the daily activities yourself you probably haven’t considered the impact the breathlessness has on your ability to complete every day tasks . We lungies just accept the deterioration and get on with it and as it’s gradual we probably don’t realise just how much an impact this deterioration has on us. Do you take longer to get from bedroom to the bathroom than your son would? Assuming your son is well! Do you need to stop to get your breath back? Etc the application for pip is a biggie but don’t let that put you off. Get someone to help you fill it in such as Citizens advice and BLF. Apply for the blue badge of it will help you, the worse they can do is decline you. I know of people getting the blue badge with a letter of support from their GP. Well done for walking it’s really important to maintain some fitness. Good luck
Thank you
Hiya 😊 might speak with you doctor about your current situation that you not doing well. And ask to get a not fit for work, you can get sick pay too when claim universal credit. I remember when I was still able to get it that I got even more when not fit for work. And let it go on as long you can get when not well. As well ask you Doctor if you actually still can work with this condition of COPD it's always good to get something written for the DWP.
I also will try again for pip next days actually. Because I don't get any payments from DWP because my partner is earning to much. It's quite sad that a lot of people struggle like this, myself included.
I have been declined for pip two years ago as well blue badge. But I got my blue badge this year, because my doctor gave me a D1500 form and I got the badge very quickly. So I might have luck, from the s crossed LOL 😋
For you best of luck and speak to your Doctor about it. Take care and stay safe
I would get yourself a welfare rights expert asap. You need someone who knows all the ins and outs of claiming. Your Citizens advice bureau will help with this. I am lucky that this is my daughters job. I can still do things for myself but I now have a blue badge for the car. I receive attendance allowance and have reduced council tax, water bills etc. I wouldn't have had a clue how to do this myself.
The others are right. Do see your doctor and get some help to apply for PIP. Good luck.
Hi AlbertaThank you for your reply unfortunately there's nothing the GP can do even if I got a sick note this organisation that helps you find work is based on what you can do not what you cannot. I'm not ill enough to apply for pip it's based on a points system and you need 8 points to qualify. I'm 55 so would not get attendance allowance either my son is in full-time employment so we do not qualify for council tax reduction. I do not get any help towards paying my mortgage as I haven't claimed universal credit for a full 9 months it seems there's always something. All this is just stressing me out.
Here in the states it’s pretty black and white. You must be at a certain spirometry testing level. Numbers I’m talking about. They have their own Drs do testing. They go by a black book the government has written up and if you are above their stated functioning level you will be denied. Fev1 is looked at. Oxygen saturation etc. but you must be very poorly to qualify for help. I don’t know how it’s done in the UK. Most people do not have the savings they need to take a couple years and fight the system. They are between a rock and a hard place! Sad.
I'm sorry you're going through all this. I still feel you ought to be eligible for PIP. My high functioning autistic daughter got it after considerable hassle, with the help of a Mencap lady who knew what to put on the form. Your ability to work at the moment is considerably limited by COPD, which makes one tired, which makes one liable to make mistakes. What employer is going to tolerate that? It's worth asking the CAB to help you make a case. Best wishes and good luck, whatever you decide.
Remembered something about ESA Employment Support Allowance. I think this is paid to people below retirement age but who can't work due to health issues.Have a look at this link gov.uk/employment-support-a...
Hopefully, it might help.
Take care
New kid on the block
Advice please
Does anyone know if Bronchiectasis & Asthma are covered by the Disabily Equality Act for employees?
The dreaded phone call from the jobcentre
