I've always worked 16 hrs( single mum).my fibro is worse now than ever. I've been off 6 mths now so my working tax will stop. What do I do?

[Cannybee67]

I've heard pip , ESA, etc..... But have no clue how to go about this. Help please!!!! Belinda.

[Colegg]

I am not in your shoes but I think you should get plenty of help on here for advice but I know a local c a b could help you with the right benefits for you hope this helps x

[TheAuthor]

Hi Cannybee67

I am so sorry that you are having to suffer in this way and all the stress that has naturally accompanied not being able to work.

Firstly, the question about Employment Support Allowance. Please find the link to the Gov.uk website with all the details including phone number for information and claiming.

gov.uk/employment-support-a...

Secondly, the question about Personal Independent Payment which use to be called Disability Living Allowance. Please find the Gov.uk website with all the details including phone numbers for information and claiming.

gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

I sincerely hope that you find them useful and that you successfully claim the benefit that is rightfully yours for your disability. I understand that when you have worked all your life as you have that you probably haven't got a clue about how the benefit system works, but please believe me, you have paid in enough, so please go for it.

I think if I were you I would probably go and talk to my GP to discuss the situation and try and get them on-board so if the DWP want any medical notes then your GP is already aware of the situation and hopefully supports any claim that you make. I would also make an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau as they can help with form filling; Also many larger towns and cities have a 'Disability Direct' office whereby they can also help with filling in your forms.

Good luck with all of this and please keep us all informed of how you get along and whether you need any extra help of any kind.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[bluebell10]

i think you may get esa,i was in a similar situation to you but that was 4 yrs ago.go to c.a.b & explain things to them & they will point u in the right direction you will probably get esa. i was in same position as u & got income support but im sure you will get esa,good luck xx

[Hidden]

Hi

Have you stopped working altogether now?

If so, as you say your Tax Credits will stop, but you can claim Child Tax Credits if your children are under 16 (18 if they are still in full time education).

Hope this helps

Good luck

Hugs

BM x

[Fermerwill]

Hi please ask for a ESA form 08456088562. Ask them to send you the form . Go to CAB for help in filling it out . Look up fightback on the web a lot of good info on how to fill out forms. Good luck

[SparkyMark]

Hi Cannybee, Firstly you need to contact the DWP on 08456020206, then press the option number for new claims. As you have worked, you will be able to claim the ESA contributions based (your stamp payments) for 52 weeks, providing you have paid enough National Insurance Contributions. They will send you out quite a large form to complete, but don't worry, it is fairly self explanatory. You need to complete this form as if it was your worse day and explain in detail how your daily life is affected by your FMS and if you need to, add extra pages following the instructions such as adding your NI number and signing each page. You will be put on the assessment rate for up to 13 weeks until they call you for a face to face assessment. If you would prefer, ask them to visit you at home, they have doctors that come out if needs be. When you have been assessed, you will be either put in to the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) or the Support group. The WRAG means you will have to attend work focussed interviews and come up with an action plan that will get you back in to work, which is not really ideal for someone who has just given up work due to illness. The support group will verify that you are too ill to work and will not be called for work related activities etc. so this is the group you need to get in to really. After 1 year you will be sent another ESA form, the ESA50, to claim income related ESA. This means that any other income in to your household, such as a partner who lives with you, a child of working age that still lives with you etc. will be taken into account when you apply. If you are single with no other income, all well and good, but if you have a partner who works, you probably wont qualify for any ESA payments at all!!!

With regards to PIP, you need to contact the DWP to ask for a claim form, when you ring for ESA, you can ask them for the number or complete a form online. Again it is quite a comprehensive form to fill in, but don't let it phase you, it is quite explanatory and again, fill it in as if it were your worse day. You will then receive a pack through the post (dependent on where you live) from either Atos (North and South) or Capita (Midlands) which will explain the next part of the process. You will be required to have another face to face assessment and again, you can request a home visit.

If you need any further advice, please feel free to PM me.

[Hidden]

Hi again

I think SparkyMark has said it all, but the only thing I would add is, don't forget to photocopy every form, letter, etc. Whatever you send to the DWP, photocopy it first. They are very good at losing paperwork!

All the best

BM x

[amanda2277]

Hi other am a single mum aswel with fibro and I no how hard things can get av just put in a app for pip .a went to my housing were they have a benefits advicer who help me with filling in my form phone the DWP ask for a pip from they wilask a few questions then send out the from onest u have ur form if ther is a money or benefits advicer in or area make a app to c them and they will help u through it x

[Stevan_Mcgrath]

Living with fibromyalgia is difficult, especially when the pain becomes severe.

Many sufferers fear that they will not be able to work, or that they would eventually lose their jobs.

But the effectiveness of treatment can be determined by on the patients themselves.

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia must ensure that they take the proper medication on time.

An active lifestyle also helps to relieve stress and reduce symptoms of depression.

Regular appointments with a physical therapist and massage therapy help relief pain and allow people to move about easily.

Fibromyalgia Treatment:

Fibromyalgia treatment methods may also vary accordingly.

It is important for a patient suffering from fibromyalgia to be treated by several different health professionals in conjunction.

This may include:

•General physician

•Physiotherapist

•Psychologists

After carefully assessing the patient, the doctor will draw up an individualized treatment plan.

This may include:

•A regular exercise regimen

•Antidepressant medication

•Physical therapy