I have just been diagnosed with mild COPD, I have been off work since November 2017 having tests. I gave up smoking in November when the breathing problems started getting really bad. I have been working for the same company for over 30 years but they are far from sympathetic. I am concerned that I may not be able to get Statutory Sick Pay for much longer and I don't know what will happen after this stops? I work on a building site so I suspect the dust won't help, I also found that the cold weather made my symptoms worse. My wife has Multiple Sclerosis and is unable to work so we are struggling financially, also the stress is making her condition worse. Can anyone advise me as to what I can do once my SSP ends?
I would welcome any advice, please
Kevin
Written by
dordyx200
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Hello dordyx200 and welcome to the forum. BLF have a helpline and a specialist benefits advisor but unfortunately she is not now in work until Monday. You can ring her then (provided you are in the UK) on 03000 030 555 during office hours.
Hi Kevin, is there any way you can change your job at all. Although we are all different in the way that this disease affects us, I have severe copd and have been successfully working for the last two years with it. I admit being severe is not easy, but doable. I might also add that I am self employed and only I can sack me I am also 68 this year, so no spring chicken.
You really want to do pulmonary rehabilitation first though, to learn all about how to manage this disease.
A change of employment to get away from the dust is desirable as is working indoors to get out of the cold.
Don't despair, your diagnosis is not the end of the world by any means, it just means a change to your lifestyle.
Hi have a look at the Govt. benefits site below. If you are unable to work you would need to claim ESA. Also if your condition makes it hard or impossible to work you might also be able to get PIP. Your wife might be able to get that too.
Other benefits to check are housing benefit and council tax rebate.
I don't know how old you and your wife are, so I just wanted to add, along with all the other good advice here on benefits, that when you or your wife become 65, you can apply for Attendance allowance. I'm 68 and have severe emphysema. I only recently found out about AA, and when I applied I got it.
Also, I know it's easy to say, but try not to get stressed out, take one day at a time and take all the advice and help you can get, it is out there.
I cannot help you with your predicament, but I just wanted to say I am sorry this is happening to you and your wife. I hope you can get some help. Please let us know how you are getting on if you'd like to.
Hi, I was off work fot 8 weeks recently and I applied for universal credit along with ssp. The local council were informed and sent out a rent and council form.
Try the BLF helpline, can you change your job within the building trade to take you away from the dust? Sorry to hear about your wife this needs special consideration. Citizen's advice , social services. Try every avenue never give up, maybe the GP could help.
hi kevin , ive c.o.p.d..sorry to hear about your case ! , your going to halve to look at applying for disability allowance ,, talk to your job centre advisor , if they know what your like , and know your genuine , they will help you and tell you how to go about it ! good luck
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