Benefits

[slipsandtrips]

Hello all I have SCA3.

I work at the moment. Lately have had a couple of falls and a couple of fractures. My balance is not great!

Thinking of loosing a day and wondering if I gave up eventually how easy is it to claim dose anyone know?

[wobblybee]

🙂 This link will be helpful

Applying for Benefits

ataxia.org.uk/newly-diagnos...

[slipsandtrips in reply to wobblybee]

Aww thankyou, sorry for any typos I might make I would look at the link you so kindly shared

[slipsandtrips in reply to wobblybee]

Hello Wobblybee Thank you very much for your efforts,

I have heard from a member of the Administration team who has provided

Contact numbers for help and advice.

But I am eternally greatful for the help you have given so far.

Thank you.

[slipsandtrips in reply to wobblybee]

I will look at the link

[Elizabethtracy]

hi You should be able to get PIP if you are under retirement age. Someone helped me fill the form in as I cant write very well now, some of the answer he wrote I did say I am not that bad yet but he said you have to think of your worse days and the future, then a occupational therapist phoned me who was looking at my claim, she said I had been to nice {can't think of a different word) on my claim as she understood Ataxia, she asked me about how long it takes for me to dress and other things. The form is long and takes along time to come though, I also get ESA but I think you can't get it if you are working. I have heard some people with Ataxia have not got PIP. Just remembered some of the questions it asked about driving well I can still drive but do not like it and only drive if i have too and before going out I think the way i will go and where to park, it also asked about meeting people which i do not like as my voice is very slurred and when people especially strangers talk to me my answers don't come out right so I don't talk much., also about cooking yes I can cook if I have too but my partner says its too dangerous, I have burnt myself just using the grill and fallen down just walking from the fridge because sometimes I forget I can not turn round like normal people .What I am trying to say is yes we can do things if we have too but its hard so when filling the form in dont just write yes i can do that. Hope this helps

[slipsandtrips in reply to Elizabethtracy]

Thank you very much very informative, I have just had my assessment for PIP. I understand what you mean about the turning thing and falling too. I just feel lost at the moment, I often think about giving up work but not sure what to do about what benefits I am entitled to. If you know any more information I would be greatful if you could share.

Thanks again.

[Elizabethtracy in reply to slipsandtrips]

Hi I would wait for your pip to come before deciding about work I also get ESA. I wanted to do s private message to you but not sure how . How you done the benefits calculator but saying you don't work

[slipsandtrips in reply to Elizabethtracy]

Thanks Elizabethtracy.I really appreciate you contacting, I had been contacted by one of the administrators who had kindly given me contact numbers of where I could get help.

I am eternally greatful for all the the responses I have received.😄

[Tallguy101]

Hi slipsandtripsI retired/made redundant in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

I was driving 150 miles a week to commute to the full time job.

After not working for over 3 years now, I can see how much it was taking out of me aswell as getting up at 6.15am.

I get £659 Pcm Pip plus £1036 esa plus income from my old house which I rent out.

I was diagnosed in 2006, so had been working with ataxia for years.

I hope you can claim some benefits and give up work as looking back it was too much for me.

Good luck in whatever you choose in the future. All the best.

[slipsandtrips in reply to Tallguy101]

Hello Tallguy,Thank you for sharing your journey with me. Yes I have realized the difficulties I was facing with continuing in my role, extreme fatigue, two - three days recovery, falls and fractures " I was really struggling".

I have gone off on ill health retirement.

I do feel lost and not sure where to start. I have made a claim for PIP and waiting to hear from them.

I am going to contact my union to find out where and what I should do next.

👍😃

[slipsandtrips in reply to Tallguy101]

Hello Tallguy101

I do hope you don't mind me contacting again.

You kindly replied to a question around 6 months ago about claiming benefits.

I am still in the process it has not been easy for me. I am appealing to the tribunal, I would like a positive outcome and I am curious to know how you dealt with it 'if you could remember',what sort questions were asked of you and how best you answered?

[Tallguy101]

When I first had it, it was called DLA disability living allowance. Back then in about 2008, I had a Dr come to see me at home and see what I had difficulty doing physically. When it changed to pip I had to go to a local DWP centre. Basically since then I have had telephone interviews every 2-3 years. Basically they ask what you have difficulty doing, washing, getting dressed, cooking, eating and drinking etc. Also physically, what you can do or can't, if you can walk, if so how far and wether you use walking aids etc..,

Pip is made up of two parts, daily living and mobility. There's a standard rate and enhanced rate for each.

I know it sounds daunting, but just be honest and you'll be fine.

[slipsandtrips in reply to Tallguy101]

Hello thank you for replying to my quarry ' much appreciated ' I am a little worried about it as it is all new to me. I know I have to go through the process, I want to understand what might be asked of me.

Thanks again ' I hope all goes well for me.