Heart failure

[Shaz12]

This time last year I was in the hospital with heart failure my illness is stable at the moment With tablets. I’m claiming ESA and they won’t pay me because I don’t have enough National insurance contributions and because my husband had a private pension and he has used it all up they still say I have an income and I don't so I don't know what we are going to do we can't even buy the basic food so our Christmas is going to be a mess if anyone can help it would make us very happy.

[Hometerry]

I am in simmilar position, my wife works and is keeping

things going, but it dose make you feel inadaquit.My truck

lisence is suspended, so do you push your self to an early

grave.Its shocking what goes.I have just over 3 years to retire,

so just pondering what I could do next.It would have tobe part

time.I dont suppose I could do that much activity stuff for long

periods.Its a catch 22.My confidance is poor aswell with it all.

[Shaz12 in reply to Hometerry]

I feel for you

[Graham1956 in reply to Hometerry]

Hiya Terry, I too have had my HGV licence suspended. It will be 4yrs in January since I suffered a heart attack whilst on way back through northern France loaded for the UK. It felt like indigestion so I just kept on trucking! It wouldn’t go away though and some 10hrs later back in UK found myself in Ashford Hospital having 2 stents fitted (what a shock, still can’t believe it) I must be about your age as I to am about 3yrs from retirement. I’ve tried to get my HGV 1 back but to no avail. DVLA said my heart function is only 38% and needs to be 40% minimum. According to cardiologist my heart function will not get any better so there goes my livelihood. Now dependant on the benefit system, unable to do much about it. Hope you’re coping ok it’s not easy when your used to been the bread winner, working hard to provide for your family and then through no fault of your own finding yourself unable to work. All the best for the future. Graham.

[Wodney1966]

Hiiii do you get pip

[Shaz12 in reply to Wodney1966]

No not at the moment I did claim for it but I did not have enough points so hay ho I will try again now I know what they are going to ask as it was all new to me.

[Foxyhole]

Have you gone to citizens advisor

[Shaz12 in reply to Foxyhole]

Spoken to them they were no help

[redmall in reply to Shaz12]

Try Welfare Rights, they're better

[Cathybm]

Unfortunately there is no ESA now unless you are Contribution Based, then you can apply for "New Style ESA". You would need to apply for Universal Credit (Limited Capability for Work or LCW and Limited Capability for Work Related Activity). Once you have placed your claim (Income Related) and had an appointment to verify your identity you can apply for an advance up to 100% of your first due payment and that is paid same day, repayable over up to a year. Good luck

[Shaz12 in reply to Cathybm]

Thank you for your help

[shopman]

For problems with Benefits you can try the following:

turn2us.org.uk/

z2k.org/ if you live in London

ageuk.org.uk/ if you are of a certain age

[Shaz12 in reply to shopman]

Thank you for help

[shopman in reply to Shaz12]

Sorry but should also have mentioned that you check with you local Council to see if they have a Welfare Rights Adviser.

[Shaz12 in reply to shopman]

Thank you

[jimmyq]

I am in a similar boat. I have had to take early retirement but my wife works so I can't claim anything. Luckily we are managing with her wage and my works pensions. I will get a £150 a week pay rise when I reach 66. Can't wait!

[Shaz12 in reply to jimmyq]

My husband did a bit of silly thing he took his eye off the ball with his money when he lost his job in 2014 he got a big payoff he thought that was going to be enough a till he got his pension it lasted a few years and then he had us his private pension and that has all gone so now the only money he has is in his property and now he is doing one of these equity releases and that is taking forever he started it in the summer and it is still not stored i’m getting so fed up with what going on he has a bad back so we are a right pair at the moment with my heart failure I don't know how long I have and on top of that I things go on with my daughter she has not spoken to me for 6 months she living with her boyfriend so everything is a mess. so I have done a crowd funding page on Facebook because I don't know what else to do. I hope you have better luck than me.

[jimmyq in reply to Shaz12]

Good luck with your crowd-funding and your daughter!

[Shaz12 in reply to jimmyq]

Thank you