Universal credit...

[Emma5397]

All though this doesn’t help my chronic pain...but I had my health assessment for universal credit in November...today I got a letter though saying they have decided I have limited work capability and I don’t need to give I sick notes anymore. My next assessment is in November this year.

All though this doesn’t help my pain, it’s the first step of being believed that there’s something not right. It might not be the medical professionals but I was so happy that iv been taken seriously and believed! It’s more than what I got off the GPs

I have my first appointment at an endo clinic at the start of February! Will be lovely to talk to people that know what they’re talking about!

Emma

Xox

[poppy75]

Hi Emma. Congratulations. Being believed and getting financial assistance is a big deal. I can't work and received esa 2 years ago. I found the process extremely stressful. I know you posted before about PIP. Did you have success with that? ESA helps me to pay my bills and survive etc but I've got into so much debt due to needing cabs when I go to the Drs or get caught out with a endo flare, the vitamins I fork out for that help just that bit, the fact that for me fast acting nurofen plus sodium helps me more than prescription ibuprofen, naproxen or mefanamic acid (I also have codeine on prescription). At times I've spent £30-£40 a month on nurofen as the NHS only provides normal ibuprofen, my bank is charging me £50 a month as I'm living in my overdraft so it's all spiralling. I've thought of applying for PIP many times but as applying for esa stressed me out so much I've left it thinking it's doubtful I would be successful with PIP and I basically want as little to do with DWP as my anxiety disorder worsens. It would be good to hear whether you were successful re PIP but either way congrats on receiving UC and I hope it takes the financial stress off a bit xx

[Emma5397 in reply to poppy75]

Unfortunately I didn’t get PIP, but you can still try for yourself if you feel able to. Some people do get pip with endometriosis but it depends on who’s doing your report. Anything I said to my reporter she put the total opposite on my report saying endo doesnt clinically cause the symptoms I have like can walk far or stand for long periods of times. Yet I know what I can and can’t do and they’re trying to tell me otherwise lol.

Are you signed off sick? If you signed off sick you’ll get prescriptions free... I was off sick with my job about a year. Then I got took over by the job centre and had to take my sick notes there. As iv been off for nearly two years now I had to have a health assessment witch is why I’m now signed off with November for my next health assessment and I get a bit more money.

Message me if you need any help xx

[poppy75 in reply to Emma5397]

Yep, it's amazing how someone else can tell you what you can or can't do when they don't experience the pain, vomiting, blacking out. Infuriating.

Ok, good to know. I'll have a think about PIP. No, I'm not off sick. I was for a while and then my employer let me go due to my health. I haven't been able to work for 2 years. I had the same kind of DWP medical assessment as you and was awarded ESA. In certain parts of the country UC has come in to replace ESA for new claimants. I pay for an annual prepayment prescription card which works out about £11 a month (do ask your pharmacist about it if you'll be buying lots of prescriptions). My problem is the fast acting Nurofen Plus works better for me than anything I can get on prescription (although I often have to top up the Nurofen Plus with 30mg prescription codeine). Nurofen Plus costs around £4-£5 and only lasts me 3-4 days so the cost mounts and mounts and an equivalent fast acting anti-inflammatory isn't available on prescription. All the prescription nsaids I've tried take longer to kick in and by that time the pain has peaked and I'm debilitated. Anyway, thanks for your advice and I'll have another look at PIP xx

[dawntildusk in reply to poppy75]

I cant claim free prescriptions either but if you ask your pharmacy you can get a prepayment card which is around £29.10 for 3 months or £104.00 for 12 months. works out way cheaper if regularly buying. x