Advice On Financial Support.

[Liam47]

Hi Everyone,

Just a brief explanation about me. I had an aortic root replacement with aortic valve repair back in July 2017. Due to having various other health problems and the nature of my job, I was unable to return to work. I ended up being off sick from work for a year. The reason I was off sick for a long time was because I was diagnosed over 5 years ago with Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy, so it took me a long time to recover from the heart surgery. As you know, open heart surgery isn’t no small operation. My Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy hinded my recovery.

Because my employer couldn’t find a job suitable for me to be redeployed, and also they couldn’t take the risk of me not going sick again or anything happening to me whilst I was at work, I wasn’t employable anymore. So my contract was terminated due to ill health.

As I’ve mentioned above I have Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy, which is not getting any better, in fact it’s worse partly because I wasn’t as active after the heart surgery and partly I’m deteriorating through the muscle disease anyway. Despite having Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy, I carried on doing a very heavy and manual job until I had the heart surgery.

I decided to take ill health early retirement, which my neuro muscular disease consultant is totally agreeable with me taking ill health early retirement. I’m in the process of completing a form to apply for my pension early, but my pension won’t be enough to cover me financially.

Because of my Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy, I can’t live in my 1 bedroom masionette anymore, so it’s safer to go back to living with my parents. I’m in the process of clearing out my masionette and giving a it lick of paint, then I will be selling it. When I’ve sold it, by the time I’ve paid back what I still owe to the mortgage company and paid off other things, I won’t have much left for savings.

My reason for posting here is because, can anyone on here advise me on what financial support I can get.? I’ve tried contacting citizens advice on the phone, but it’s proving difficult to speak to anyone.

Thank You,

Liam.

[shopman]

If you want help with Benefits then try:

Turn2Us - turn2us.org.uk/

Z2K - z2k.org/ - if you live in London

AgeUK - ageuk.org.uk/ - primarily for older people but still worth looking at

Ask your local Council if they have a Welfare Rights Adviser in your area. There is also musculardystrophyuk.org/get...

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

CAB often seem better face-to-face especially if you pre-book an appointment. It puts them under less (time) pressure.

[Liam47]

Hi Jo,

Thank you for replying.

Yes it is a big life change, being only 48 and having to take ill health early retirement, but unfortunately it had to happen. I know there are far worse people out there than me. I wouldn’t mind being retired through ill health, I’d be happy, it’s just the financial side of it. I will be better off once I’ve sold my masionette and I don’t have those bills associated with it. But it could take years to sell. Depending what the market is like when I eventually get it on the market.

Thank you for the advice on the benefits. It does seem unfair and very hard to claim benefits, a good friend said you need to be armed to the teeth with knowledge and know what you are doing on these matters, so the system don’t try and pull the wool over your eyes. My Dad already gets carers allowance for my Mum who is disabled, so it maybe difficult in this area.

I will be very specific when describing how my conditions affect me on a daily basis. I am very fortunate to have various consultants who can help with any letters of support that maybe needed, most definitely from my neuromuscular disease consultant. She has always said she would be only too willing to write any letters of support I needed.

Thank you Jo for the well wishes.!

Liam.

[Nathan53]

Hello Liam sorry you are having a tough time. My first thoughts are Carers Allowance - anyone can claim this if they are involved in actively caring for you and they don't have to live with you. It could be a friend or family member and care involves shopping, accompanying you on social outings ( where you NEED) someone with you etc. For you I was thinking attendance allowance. As Jo says it's how you put together a claim and back up from your GP / Consultant that really important. Try googling Welfare Rights Group for the area you live or visit a CAB. It can be hard to get your head around taking an action when you have so many changes to cope with but it's important you get the ball rolling quickly. Any benefits you claim will also give you credits on your National Insurance Record for your State Pension. It's often something we don't think of when young but worth doing. Good luck Liam

[Liam47 in reply to Nathan53]

Thank you Nathan.

I’m not sure I would be able to get PIP yet as at the moment I don’t need anyone to care for me. But I will look into your good advice though.

Liam.

[Charlie0007]

Hi Liam

My wife has been unable to work since she was 36 with a back problem and now other debilitating physical issues. She gets ESA which was incapacity benefit, she laso gets DLA, which there ae various different levels but the forms are horrendous to fill in but its something you have to do. when filling in the forms, you have to be very careful with phrases, be specific, do it on your worst day, don't put, about or it varies, those sorts of comments, say definite comments, it is worth getting help with them especially the first time, a number of charities like CAB & AGE UK, have people trained to fill them in the right way to help you get the benefits. Job centre may be able to help you know what benefits you may be entitled to.

Good luck & God bless you, life is tough at times and then you have you legs kicked out from under you but hang in there.

Charlie

[Liam47 in reply to Charlie0007]

Hi Charlie,

Thank you for your good advice.

Sorry to hear about your wife’s health problems. I shall keep your advice in mind when completing the forms.

Take Care,

Liam.

[Nathan53]

Yes Jo you are right - I had a brainstorm (not the first of late) I think it's a Personal Independent Payment (PIP) I was thinking of which is a benefit for people over age 16 living with a disability.

[Hidden]

As Charlie0007 has advised, plus before sending off the forms, photocopy them each and every time you send them when required for just the smallest deviation from previous statements could be picked up and used against your claim. You may think this an exaggeration but I assure you it is as cutthroat as I have painted. When filling out the forms make it as bad as possible - DO NOT suggest you could do more or on a good day etc - for the form - there is no good day. During your assessment you will be asked to perform movements - how you complete them is up to you, but heed what people have said.

As for your financial status,, why lose an investment - why not rent out the maisonette? You could achieve more than enough to cover the mortgage and some bills and when you get straight, will at least have an income. I would suggest you go through a letting agency who will manage and do all the hard work and (hopefully) take all the heat from your shoulders. You will be able to make stipulations like no SSD or animals etc.

I have been where you are at now and life is not gentle and is full of ups and downs however, nothing is impossible, just keep believing in yourself.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry It should read SSP or statutory sick pay - also add DSS pay to the list of people that might cause a problem - IN GENERAL!

[Liam47 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ticking-Ticker,

Thank you for your good advice on filling out forms. I shall keep all your advice in mind when completing forms.

The benefits system do like to make it hard so they can discourage you from claiming any benefits, and by this saving them money.

Liam.

[Hidden]

See below

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Liam,

'The benefits system do like to make it hard so they can discourage you from claiming any benefits, and by this saving them money.'

I couldn't agree more with you. However please don't let this stop you from applying.

I successfully applied for a PIP

Personal Independent Payment. It is the only benefit I am entitled to as it is not means tested.

The form is 40 pages long and there is a skill in filling the form in. I am not without intelligence but I needed help.

I used this website to guide me.

benefitsandwork.co.uk/perso...

Good luck!

[Liam47 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy,

Thank you for the advice.!

I hope you don’t mind me asking you these questions, but how disabled do you have to be to apply for PIP.? Why did you qualify for PIP.?

Like you I won’t be discouraged from applying for any benefits.

Thank you for the link to the website.

Take Care,

Liam.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Liam,

I took ill health retirement too.

I live with debilitating pain due to Vasospastic angina, migraine and Raynauds phenomenon.

My condition is variable and unpredictable . The cold is one of my major stressors so I experienced more pain in the colder months. I spent a week in hospital this time last year.

I really suggest you book a face to face session with an advisor from Citizens Advice.

Fill the form in as though it was your worse day possible. At the assessment also tell the assessor about your worse day. Not a time to put on a brave face!

Stress is also another stressor for me. The stress of the medical assessment lead me to have a severe episode of angina. The assessor had to stop my assessment.

It is a horrible process. My overriding feeling. You are innocent until proven guilty in this country until you apply for a disability benefit!

[Liam47 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy,

Sorry for late reply.! You took ill health retirement too. If you don’t mind me asking, what age did you take ill health retirement.?

I have Raynauds Phenomenon too. I know how you feel with this condition. It’s terrible in the colder months. What with Raynauds, migraines and vasospastic angina you do suffer. Last year was a very cold winter, I hope this winter isn’t a bad one for you and you don’t suffer too much.

You are right, a face to face with citizens advice would be better, it’s proving very difficult to talk to someone over the phone. Think I need to pay them a visit. Apart from myself and someone accompanying me, is there anything I need to take to citizens advice with me.?

Take Care and keep warm.

Liam.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Liam47]

My only suggestion is to write a list of how your health condition effects you in your day to day life.

I have a file of all my clinic letters and test reports.

Taking someone else is a good idea so they can take notes for you or ask the advisor to explain anything you are unsure of as well as writing their advice down.

I wish you luck!