i am really confused no one has told me if i am eligible for disability or if i am in fact disabled because of the fybromyalgia

[angel93]

i am so confused

[poorly]

same here angel, got so much pain and symptoms its unbeleivable

[Shedevil_kt]

if you have fibromyalgia it is classified as having DISABILITY SO YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ALL DISABLED BENEFITS LIKE BLUE BADGE AND FREE BUS PASS ETC ETC .......sorry for the caps

[DebbieSw]

How can it be classed as a disability? I only got ema benefit by wildly exagerating my symptoms and then only the back to work variety? They don't care that you can't work a full week and therefore can't live!

[lizzylomas]

Err sorry Shedevil but if you live in Bolton its not cut and dried at all. Unless you can prove you are unable to do almost ANYTHING even peel a potato then you dont get anything at all. It seems to depend on where you live. Its always worth a try though.

[miss1968]

hi there i have been in reciept of dla indefinatley since 2002 but i am fighting dhss through courts as they say im fit for work x

[kraftyk8]

There is a golden rule that you must stick to when completing any Allowance or Benefits form, to do with any Disabilty and when you are attending Medicals and giving answers verbally. Before you answer every question, you must say TO YOURSELF.... "when I'm having a really bad day" ........then give the answer. It's not dishonest, it's the truth of the matter, because you never know when, or for how long, you will have those days

[Sarah-Jane in reply to kraftyk8]

I totally agree. If you only state that you sometimes feel this way - well we all get off days, stop moaning, goodbye! Please, if you have FM you are likely to have other things too and you are also likely to get worse. This is for life, it does go away sometimes, but thats called remission because it cannot be cured.

I filled in my paperwork last year because I could barely walk, I could barely get up to my bed, could not risk laying in the bath in case I could not get out, could not dress myself completely - and another day I could walk 20 paces more, dress myself etc etc. I claimed the DLA because they thought it was arthritus, now my doc says 'and possibly FM'. I use a wheelchair for distance and a mobility scooter to go further - without this allowance I could not have that. I get help going to work and around work, its been a year and I still need help, sometimes more, sometimes less. Why am I lying? If I added the 365 days together and pulled out all the good days, they would not exist. Hours, moments maybe on full painkillers.

Allow your pride to take a back seat and tell the truth. Don't do the 'how are you today?' 'Fine thank you' - when you can barely move! When ...oh I don't need to say it. If you need help, please accept it, thats what its there for.

[gypsycrafter in reply to kraftyk8]

When I was applying for dla I went to cab for help and that is exactly what they told me to do. some of those questions are really difficult to answer : how long do you need help for in the middle of the night to go out to the toilet. Well is depends really if you have had an accident while you are waiting for help to arrive!

[jaynev]

I tried to get DLA but only got low rate care , which seems silly to me ,as I am full time carer to my autistic daughter, but thought well im in the system , but it wont last as they will be reviewing DLA and if you are not on high or medium rate , Im told we will be loosing this benefit , Its hard enough to get high rate for my daughter who is seriously disabled , its unfair unjust and very wrong !

[trekster22 in reply to jaynev]

Have you tried appealing for yourself and your daughter? Or do you prefer to wait for PIP to arrive where you may get more money depending on who you see and how you describe your disabilities?

[crissy]

I got the full rate for two years, when they reviwed ut it was took down to low rate! I had a visit from some dr, i felt intimidated to think that tgey can do this, i knoe i could have appealed but at the time i was getting iver a hysterectomy! And the stress of going through all this sets yhe flare ups off! I think its discusting that i have to work with all this pain! Only do p/t and do like to earn a living, but im finding it harder and harder to cope! If i had the full rate i could have done less hours which would help me so much

[angel93]

thank you very much all your messages have really helped clarify this for me the drs just dont know what they r doing it is so frustrating i mean because how everything is wiv goverment atmo i just dont think that i will be eligible for it but i will fill the forms out and just see wat they say that all i can do

[angel93]

thank you for giving such a detailed anwser it is defiantly something i will look into

[judrop67]

Atos also LIE when they send their reports back to the DWP as my husband who has FMS taped the conversation and when we got a copy of the report back saying he was fit for work half of the questions in it wasnt even asked to my husband and half the things she wrote she didnt ask him to do and we are going to be using this recording when we go to appeal. So if u go for a medical my advice is to record the medical on ur phone as its ur right legally because its ur medical even though they ask u to switch ur phone oiff.

[gypsycrafter in reply to judrop67]

they have no right to ask you to turn off ur phone anyway

[tazz]

hi newby but not new to fibro,diagnosed 1992 i just recently had medical for my benefits,after keepin me waiting over an hour so pain was chronic lol im sure i felt them watchin me, they appologised saying because of my health it had to be a specialist nurse to see me, the medical was for esa, i got my benefit but from what she was saying they have linked fibro and depression its took them long enough x

[Shedevil_kt]

i have me,pots,elhers-danlos syndrome,hypermobilty and of course finromyalgia i get low rate care but higher rate mobility and i amm deemed as being disabled

[angel93]

sorry to hear that they keep you waiting it just takes the mickey (for like of a better word i would like to use). i am applying for the third time i am just in sooo much pain all the time and job seeker don't understand. had chance of good job not to many hours good pay and i just cant do it in this much pain so really down at the mo cuz i just want work i dont want to be on benifits but what can i do? i have no other choice i need money everyone does

[gizzmo]

Ive said before on here ive been through the esa medical exam that stated i was fit for work in 3wks so i applied for d.l.a. which took a year to go to appeal but had my esa paid in the meantime,i got my dla backdated to the original date of applying and no-one wants to be on benefits but we are entitled to it,it is your basic human right to be entitled to a better quality of life,(if that's what you can call it) so please stick with it,many a time id of liked to of given up as we all spend more time fighting on top of dealing with being ill,but this is what they rely on so you just give up ,everyone is right in saying when filling in forms base it on a worse day scenario, am now reapplying for my carers allowance to be re-looked at as my hubby doing more and more for me ,and i know no-one wants to be in this position and we would all love to have our normal lives back ,but its not the way it is unfortunatly.ive just got a mobility scooter and my pride getting in the way of using it,yet if i don't im stuck in the house so got to get over that.but gather your info from your dr and your specialist if you have one as this all helps in your appeal.i was told by a benefits advisor that 90% of people applying for d.l.a get turned down from having an independant medical exam which the goverement send you for but if you appeal ,you should get it.i am telling you what i went through to get mine so not sworn testimony but telling you so your made aware of things you might be up against,i now have an occupational therapist on board as this helps to and help from adult social services,this is not ideal but needs must im afraid,its annoying to hear how other's are struggling and having been there myself i hope it helps to hear from people who have been through,good luck to all those applying for disability and keep your chin up you will get there,its not perfect but a good start to helping xx

[angel93 in reply to gizzmo]

Thank you so much i have finally sucked up my pride and asked job enter to send dla forms out it is just getting to much and the sad thing is that this all i have ever known i got fybro at a young age just 12 so i cant recall a day where i wasn't in pain constantly and at the mo i think im going down the road of depression but i really dont want to i just feel like crying at the pain constantly and this cold weather is not helping

[jeanette29 in reply to angel93]

i have had fms for 6 year and the pain is hard to deal with i been getting dla for 4 years now they is not harm in try but if u have a helpful doctor who will stick up for you and say you are in so much pain it help cause people dont understand how much pain fms suffers are in

[Belle67]

I have had fibro since 2002 and I have dla indefinately mobility higher rate and care middle rate. So from what i've just read I am lucky to get it although i know its all changing next year to PIPS so we will all be reviewed then anyway

[trekster22 in reply to Belle67]

I've heard PIP is behind by a year so could be 2016 which is when mine is due for renewal.

[gizzmo]

good on you angel,it#s all about taking that step forward and i'm sure we're all with you and anyone who is not getting what there entitled to.good luck with it and take care x

[FionaP]

Waiting on the results of my new DLA application. They have sent for a doctors report and I am so scared of losing it. I have been dependant on using 30% of it for gas/electric bills. I'm so much worse now than in 2008 when the last one had middle care and high mobility. I so wish they understood how painful & difficult our lives are.

One thing I was told years back and helps me greatly is to always have something to look forward to. Anything from a trip, a cake anything at all. It does help. If you have nothing, start planning. Good luck

[MichelleF66]

Speak to your local CAB who will help you fill in the forms, they know the statistics used to say yea or nay...

[eviemadison]

i had my esa medical 10 weeks ago & just been told i have failed it they said i have a disability but fit enough to work some days i cant walk the shop i would like to see what kind of job they want me to do x

[kitty1]

i've been trying to get dla for 5 years, got another appeal in march, my local welfare rights have decided not to represent me because they dont think they can win so i am going with just my partener, i'm stuck in at home most of the time becuase when my parteners at work i've got no transport can't walk far and can't use buses because of the pain, feel like my life is just an existence rather than a life, would love to be active again,

[Nicola27Hull]

I applied for DLA and a GP was requested to conduct a medical report. He came to see me yesterday and will submit the report today. I have applied twice before and was turned down so I have got further this time then last time. I now have a 4 week wait to see if I have een approved. Fingers crossed

[marymcd]

i was told cannot have dla, my specialist done a letter saying i can work mon-fri between 11-4pm, as i am very bad in morning and evenings, however i would love to know where jobs with such hours exsist and would have to be very high rate of pay as am single living on my own, i am currently on jobseekers however they are pushing and pushing me to get a full time job that i know i am unable to do

system seems so unfair, as my jobcentre have also never heard of fibro and so do not understand how bad it can sometimes be

[Rach1977]

Are you guysalso away about Personal Assistant Allowances ( Careers allowance). If you contact your local coucil/adult social services and ask about their duty of care to you as you feel you are disabled ( as per Lynns guidelines above from the Equality Act). They should send a social worker out and assess what you can do daily, but remember you have to tell them your worst day. If you need help, such as making your tea, doing your hoovering/housework etc you can get a careers allowance. I do not get it as I have not requested it, however my friend does.

[ldjboothby]

Hi, what Lynn-FA says is good advice, the Equally Act 2010 changed things,so the first thing you need is support from a medical professional probably your GP. If they are unhelpful then remember you can change --look on the web to see if there are any fibro friendly doctors in your area. Here are some steps that may help.

1. Prepare yourself --the government does not want to pay out.

2. Speak of your worst days -what you can't do

3.Get your medical report

4.Get help filling in form-CAB are good

5. Don't give up (they love that) try again

Good luck-p.s. I've helped my sister through this process,she was turned down the first time as she emphasised what she could do. A diary can help you track the days.

[Whiterabbit]

I have high rate care and motability for indefinite but I was awarded Bly low rate care , I had to goto tribunal to get this award , and iam due this yr for incap/ESA medical and with some of the horror stories I've heard iam not to happy as I think worst case where I could loose it.