Benefits

[Annie2402]

Morning all. Apologies for this post in advance but I have had to retire medically from nhs due to cirhossis and all the usual issues, fatigue, muscle pain, H. E. I have received a small nhs pension and small lump sum.we cannot survive on my pension although my husband also works. The lump sum I have invested as I will need it in future years when I get my state pension. What I wondered is does anyone claim benefits when they hsve lump sum saved or is it expected to dig into them so we struggle now and when we get state pension?

[freddie76]

If u r under retirement age you should ask you GP to sign u off as sick. You could then claim all that comes with that.

[Annie2402 in reply to freddie76]

Thanks Freddie. Unfortunately I received all my sick pay allowance as I was off work for 17minths before being medically retired

[Annie2402 in reply to Annie2402]

Thanks. I will look into this. Might try citizens advice to help fill out forms as I cannot understand what being asked sonetimes

[h0b0]

You need to apply for Pips.....the social worker at St James told us that you can claim this no matter how much you have in savings.

[Annie2402 in reply to h0b0]

Thank you. I dudnt think I could as I can do day to day things and don't need carer although some days worse than others. I cannot work as memory shot and I can't retain info but I get baly. Have never claimed anything apart from ssp so this all new to me.

[freddie76]

Hi

I didnt mean company statuatory sick pay. I meant claiming via social s.

ecurity.once u have exhausted your company sick pay you then can claim that way.

[Hidden]

Hi Annie,

We have a list of institutions you could contact on our website and I have included a direct link to the page below

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

The only two other places I can think of for you to direct your enquiry are detailed below.

gov.uk/pip

This is the government website and you will find advice on claiming Personal Independence Payments, it will guide you through the eligibility process.

You could also try contacting Citizens Advice Bureau, if you log onto their home page using the link below, you will then be able to search for your local branch.

citizensadvice.org.uk/

Hopefully these will give you somewhere to start from and please do not apologise for any posts, that is why we are here. If you need to chat over your liver diagnosis our helpline is open today until 14.45 on 0800 652 7330

Warm wishes

Trust1

[Annie2402 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much for thus. Will look further into thus but not holding put much hope.

[jacobsmum24]

I think you will struggle to get anything from DWP unfortunately. I am in a roughly similar position. I worked for a large national company for 32 years and took early retirement with a small pension aged 50. I have continued to work in less well paid jobs for the last seven years which was fine as my monthly pension topped up my income. About three months ago following cirrhosis diagnosis and being in a very bad place mentally and physically, I left the company I had been working for after about four and a half years of employment ( poor decision on my behalf). I am not entitled to Job Seekers Allowance as my pension is too much and I am not entitled to Universal Credit which has replaced ESA as my husbands income is too great. I don't think I am disabled enough to qualify for PIP so I am actively seeking work as we still have a mortgage to pay. It kind of disappoints me that I have worked all my life and the pension I receive is from money I contributed but it stops me from receiving any state benefits at all.

[Annie2402 in reply to jacobsmum24]

Thanks Jacob's mum. I kind of thought that. I don't dlfeel as if I need help at home. Memory issues not severe enough to stop me dotting about place and writing down what I need at shop even if only 1 or 2 items but I get by. Oh well back to lining way we did when kids were babies

[Laura009]

Seems all the more unjust when this is happening to our NHS staff. I hope you manage to get all the benefit you need and deserve.

Good idea to get help filling the forms in.... may as well be written in Chinese eh?

Good luck with your claim and your health

Laura xx

[Annie2402 in reply to Laura009]

Thank you Laura. I don't feel I deserve any extra as this was self inflicted but financially it is difficult. I have nothing but praise for our nhs. They look after us regardless of conditions to the best of their financial restrictions and if we didn't have them I know I would have died last April.

[Laura009 in reply to Annie2402]

It may have been self inflicted, but I've learnt there's likely to be a reason, even if its just " l liked the taste, l liked the buzz " Oh the power of the stuff eh? So easily to become addicted. So please don't blame yourself, you DO deserve whatever you need.

The NHS really do strive to save lives whatever the cause.

When my husband was in ICU 9 years ago, I even asked why are you even thinking of offering him a donor liver and kidneys when he has done this to himself? The answer came with a small grin " We dont look at it like that, he's a very sick man and it's our job to try to save him." It made me look at it in a completely different light.

Ive said it before and I'll say it again

Bless our NHS ❤❤

[jacobsmum24]

It's a real tough moral dilemma for me. I have worked for 41 years and do totally accept that my cirrhosis was self-inflicted (although not the depression that caused me to drink excessively). I don't think the state should have to bear the responsibility for paying for people with alcohol problems but then should the same apply to smokers, obese people etc etc ?

I genuinely want to work for a few more years, not just to pay the bills but also to help with self-esteem but am wary about taking on too much. 90% of the time I feel fit enough but do have days when my get up and go, just gets up and goes !!

I have been thinking about a little home-based business that will keep me occupied, bring in some money and make me feel less worthless but early days. Good luck Anne x

[Annie2402 in reply to jacobsmum24]

It is difficult isn't it. I would love a little job so I could feel there is a bit structure to the day/week but so difficult as you never know the days your just going to be unable to work and no employervwants someone like that... Understandably. If I could only turn back time eh?

[AyrshireK]

My hubby was in receipt of ESA (Support Group), I was working part time and had to declare all hours and earnings as it is means tested. He recently received an inheritance which took us above the savings threshold and we now have to live on that until the money is spent back down to the threshold for receipt of benefits (£16,000) - we also lost our council tax and housing benefit due to this change in circumstances.

If you visit your local Citizens Advice or Council Welfare Rights office they should be able to give you a full welfare check to assess what you may or may not be entitled to. It's a minefield.

Katie

[Radnor]

ESA is a benefit that some qualify for because of the contributions they have paid in during their working life. If you are unfit to work there is additional monies for support factor. I am on this. I was finished from work on health grounds. I have a small pension from this and another one from my previous career. The ESA is not means tested if its contribution based. Being in receipt of private pensions does impact. For every £12 of pension you receive, £1 is reduced from your ESA.If you was on sick pay for 18 months then you now need to get continuation of this. My job was kept open for 18 months but I just couldn't recover. You should qualify for benefits and it is likely you paid NI contributions to get contribution based. Im surprised that no one assisted you at work, Do they have a Welfare Officer in HR? There is a good site called Benefits and Work that I used to guide me through the forms etc. It was the best £18 I ehver spent. I was clueless about DWP and benefits. Your lump sum will not count if you paid enough contributions. Hope this helps Hazel xx

I realise that things have changed with benefits but it also depends on the area you live in as Universal Credit. I am still getting ESA with support factor. It may be universal credit is for people who have not made sufficient NI contributions.

[Annie2402 in reply to Radnor]

Thanks Radnor. Will go to citizens advice as I cant make head or tail of what all forms asking for and mean. H.E doesn't help. X

[Radnor in reply to Annie2402]

its worthh a look at Benefits and work. Everything is broken down line by line section by section. It advises on just what points are awarded for . I would have understood Russian better before I joined . One example is if you wet yourself just once a week even, 15 points were automatically awarded. Its ages since I had to fill in a renewal form. I rec'd a phone call to say I had been awarded the same, Daft me asked so when do I go for my medical. ! He laughed and said no, you do not need to go anywhere, your benefits will continue.

[Annie2402 in reply to Radnor]

Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated. Have appt with citizens advice next week so you never know. X

[taylor50plus]

You should be able to get help, get your Doctor to sign you off sick.