I need some advice. I work 16 hours a week but this last year I have really been struggling I have had so many flare ups .....

[Pamg]

And medication has been increased. I started having bad dizzy spells and have been told by the doctor that I have vertigo on top of everything else.

I have been talking to my daughters who are very worried about me about giving up work but I am not sure how I go about it. I live on my own so I need to make sure I have money coming in.

Please can anyone give me advice on how I go about giving up work and what benefits I would be able to get, at the moment I claim DLA and working tax credit.

[suffolklass]

Hello Pam

I can really sympathise with you about working and flares. It is really hard to keep going. I was fortunate to be retired from my job last year, but it took me a lot of time and fighting to get it. Would you be able to go down that line for retirement?

I'm sorry, I don't know about the benefits side of things. Citizens advice would be able to give you advice though.

I wish you luck with it all.

Is xx

[Royalspec01]

Hi there don't know to much in the procedure side of things but you could ask your doctor first and see what he says if he thinks that work would be more harmful for you that might be a starting point towards your claim. Are you pacing your day, please be careful your not just giving up because your exhausted from not managing your activities don't mean to be harsh,.... just in case but if you've tried all that then the doctor would be a starting point. Are you in council accommodation , rented accommodation or mortgage.

If its rented then you can get a nil income form that will cover your home until benefits are up and running. If its mortgage based I don't know , I personally would seek out a citizen's advice, advisor they will help you go through these changing times for you well hope things improve for you fibro friend xx

[haribo36]

Hi there,I myself had to give up work 7 years ago as it was too much for me.You need to contact your local job centre and explain to them that you cannot work cos of your disability.They will arrange for an assessment to see what benefits you will be entitled to.I would imagine it would be housing and council tax benefit and ESA.It would be a good idea to visit your CAB office to ask them to explain the procedure to you and what exactely you should be entitled to and the amounts.Hope this helps and good luck xxx

[agtf1]

Hi, I work part time and last year was thinking about stopping work, due to the pain and exhaustion.

As others have said, speak to Citizens Advice. They will advise u of a procedure to follow, but basically don't just resign! If you resign then it can delay you getting some benefits. There are other ways round it, which they are better at explaining.

In the end, I was able to reduce my hours from 20 to 15 per week and as I work from home, I'm now able to go to sleep for an hour when I finish work to get some energy back (though I'm struggling to get back into a routine after Xmas break).

Good luck xxx