How long does it take before you hear about your claim after a consultation mine seems foreverrrr ;s xxx

[mandz]

[Mazz64]

Hi mand, do you mean after an ESA assessment? the two I have had took about 3 months, but the whole system is in a mess at the moment as ATOS want out of their contract with the DWP, it might be worth giving them a call to see what is going on.

Good luck

Mazz xx

[mandz]

Hi mazzzz I've won my ESA assessment I'm now waiting to see if I've qualified for pip and I'm sure they said I can check how my claims going online but not sure how, I keep forgetting things grrr blooming fog but thanks for your reply I will keep you posted xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi mandz

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I am so sorry to read that you have waited so long to hear anything. I think it really depends on where you are living? There appears to be time differences in every region.

I have pasted you the FibroAction benefit information link as you may find it useful:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Benef...

I sincerely hope that you hear back from them soon.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[mandz in reply to TheAuthor]

Well it's that time of morning again pain pain pain ;( thank you so much ken it's really cheered me up to your response and thank you for the link I will look at it after my meds kick in cant really focus at moment lol to early thnx again ;)) xx

[Kimmix in reply to TheAuthor]

Hi Ken, I don't really know what ESA is? I have had fibromyalgia for at least 7 years but think it might have been longer, since my cancer diagnosis in 2002 I think. I have worked part time since 2001 until 2012 when I had to go full time because my post had been cut due to voluntary redundancies. I do enjoy my new job but find it very tirying and it has a knock on effect. I get tired, my memory gets worse, I stress and worry, which makes it even worse and then my pain kicks in. arrggh

I did get Disability Benifit for 3 years when I was diagnosed with chronic depression during my cancer journey in 2004 but didn't reapply after 3 yrs because I don't suffer chronically with it anymore and I felt there were other people that would need it more than me.

Can you give me any advice on working with fibro or maybe ways I could give up work?

thank you to anyone who might help me with answers.x

[TheAuthor in reply to Kimmix]

Hi Kimmix

I am so sorry to read that you have had to endure so much with your health over the years, and I sincerely hope that you are feeling better these days?

If you feel that you are unable to work due to your health you could apply to get ESA, but this is dependent on an assessment, so it would depend if they feel that you could not work, either now or in the future. However, you have to finish working before you can apply. This will also be dependent on your circumstances. I have pasted the two main GOV.UK links for this benefit below for you:

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

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

You could always apply for the new PIP (Personal Independence Payment) which has replaced the old DLA. Again you would need to be assessed but if you were successful with your application you could either reduce your working hours or finish work and top up your money with Income Support. I have pasted the GOV.UK link for this below also:

gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

If you wanted to cut your hours but not lose out financially, if your circumstances were right, i.e. having children etc you could claim Tax Credits. I have again pasted the GOV.UK the claim link for this below:

hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/star...

Sadly it takes time to claim and receive these benefits so either way you would not get any monies quickly, but they are options for you if you are struggling with work.

I want to wish you all the best regardless with what you decide to do, and if you need any more assistance please feel free to contact me.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Kimmix in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you so much. I will read again when I have a clearer head. Your site is amazing and so helpful. Wish I had a support group near me with people who have similar issues.

Is there something I can show my employer about fibro? I really feel the Government/NHS should have information sheets for employers. You might have this information on this site somewhere, so, sorry for asking if it is. My concentration is very bad and remembering what I have written.

God bless you

Kimberley

[TheAuthor in reply to Kimmix]

No problem, I have pasted some more links for you. The first two have the information on Fibro that you have asked about, so I hope that these are useful to you:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyal...

fibroaction.org

The other link is a support group link, depending on where you live there may be a support group in operation:

fibroaction.org/Pages/Suppo...

It would be really wonderful if you could find a support group in your area and exchange experiences with each other.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[mummybet13]

I have been waiting for my tribunal hearing for bout 10 months now disgusting I know good luck x