Cirrhosis, early retirement and benefits

[BeezerGeezer]

Does anyone here have experience in claiming benefits due to inability to work through advanced cirrhosis? Everything I read about the benefits system revolves about mobility and ability to dress & feed yourself rather than whether you have enough stamina to carry out a day's work

[Hidden]

Hi I'm currently trying to make a claim for pip- just been awarded ESA support group. I have liver cirrhosis, diabetes, thyroid issues, nerve damage, eye problems and now have dangerous low platelets. It's not about having a condition but rather how the condition affects your daily life

[AyrshireK]

My hubby has been unable to work due to his cirrhosis (diagnosed 10 years ago and now aged 61). He gets PIP at enhanced daily living rate and basic mobility. He has mild HE along with cirrhosis and struggles with fatigue and concentation difficulties, understanding stuff and couldn't make a journey, safely if unaided. If you look up the benefits and work website and join for a very small but worthwhile fee they have a guide to claiming PIP and explains each of they descriptors & explains how to describe things to score points.

Hubby was also awarded support group of employment and suport allowance though because of an inheritance this is only a virtual award (NI contributions only) as we are above the savings threshold.

Get help from Citizen's Advice Bureau or your local council welfare rights/income maximisation team to help with identifying what you might be entitled to.

Katie

[Cat-B]

The benefits system is a nightmare, you to describe your very very worst day, like taking half an hour or more to chop a carrot because you can’t stand for long enough. You could get CAB to help you with the forms ( they are long, repetitive and exhausting) good luck

[BeezerGeezer]

Thank you all for your support and help. I'd only seen a passing reference to the Benefits & Welfare website and assumed that it was another government site. I've taken Katie's advice and been through their PIP assessment using the criteria they suggest for reliability, repeatability etc. and to my amazement came out with advance on both living & mobility sections. Not that this means that I would actually pass the official assessment, but has given me sufficient encouragement to at least try. I'll let you know how I get on.

[Lils2019 in reply to BeezerGeezer]

Good luck!The benefits system is a nightmare, but don’t give up, I’ve been to tribunal twice with my husband in 3 years, both times the decision was overturned and the judge awarded enhanced on both components.

ESA has now changed to Universal credit so I’m led to believe, so it may well be worth claiming that too, get a “fit note” from your GP until you are assessed for your capability for work.

You don’t need to claim ESA/UC to get an award of PIP, it’s also non means tested.

My son works and claims PIP, although they did try to use him working as an excuse not to award on the change over from DLA to PIP. I asked for a copy of the assessor’s report 7 days after assessment and it was very easy to pull apart and back up why that particular descriptor was wrong, giving an explanation why with evidence, I was quite prepared to go to appeal with his too, they did actually back down and award enhanced on both.

Never give up, if you think the decision is wrong challenge it, they rely on people backing down. Stats currently show that 85% of claims are not changed at the reconsideration stage, however 75% of PIP appeals are overturned at tribunal.

[Readlots in reply to BeezerGeezer]

If you aren’t successful, appeal. Lots of people are successful at appeal stage. 🤞

[Lils2019 in reply to Readlots]

Yes they are, and the panel at the tribunal are completely independent from DWP, usually the judge, a Dr and a disabled person.I found them to be really lovely people, yes they ask quite in-depth questions, but answer them honestly, they review all the evidence and oral evidence given too.

75% are overturned at tribunal, so that’s 75 claims out of 100. Also shows how unfit for purpose these assessments are.

[Hidden]

Good luck with your claim. Once get ESA support group you can then apply for pip and be assessed. Everyone with cirrhosis will be affected in different ways. If your symptoms prevent you from cooking, cleaning, getting to and from appointments, shopping, picking up prescription etc... washing, using stairs in house, getting out of bed due to pain or tiredness, cause mental health issues you'll be awarded pip. Not sure what you'll get as its different for everyone but it's less stress and pressure finding work right now- not forever but will give you respite to recover and back on your feet! All the best!

[Lils2019 in reply to Hidden]

Hi,

Just to clarify you don’t need to claim ESA/UC to claim PIP, both very different benefits with different criteria.

PIP is also non means tested and you are able to work whilst claiming it.

[Hidden in reply to Lils2019]

Thanks for clarifying.... I wouldn't know how benefits work but I just claimed ESA and In process of pip... I was advised to claim both.

[Lils2019 in reply to Hidden]

Your welcome 😊 yes absolutely claim both if you are poorly and unable to work.My son claims PIP and works, however he is supported at work to be able to do his job, however they did try to use it against him, I thought they would try, however the assessor’s report was very easy to pull apart, and back up with evidence as to why the descriptors were wrong. He turned into a she at one point in the report 🤣🤣

They also tried to say that because he could get a bus to work he could cook a meal, you can’t compare the two.

I hope you get a successful result with your claim, but don’t give up, challenge it if you think it’s wrong.

You can ask for the assessor’s report after 7 days, wait for the decision from DWP and then do a MR, where you ask them to look again if you think the decision is wrong.

Good luck,

Take care x