Disability

Hi. Does anybody know if fibro is definitely classed as a disability. If so where can I get this info from please

[Crazy_Horse]

Hi Julie, I am not sure of where you live. If you live in the U.S. and are wondering about U.S. governmental disability benefits, you may try googling/searching:

Social Security benefits fibromyalgia.

I just did that search and a few very specific documents regarding fibromyalgia disability claims came up, right away. Hope this helps.

Crazy_Horse

[Hidden in reply to Crazy_Horse]

Hi. I am in the uk. Thanx

[Crazy_Horse in reply to Hidden]

Oh, two strikes against me now! Lol.

I am sure someone will come along with info for y ou!

Julie, Have a good day!

Crazy_Horse

[Ian123]

Qualifying from a UK basis is on the symptoms you have and how they affect your life, in short it's not the condition or a mixture of them that is the disability, the things that you can no longer do that an able body could. Heads a bit foggy so hope that makes some kind of sense.

[Hidden]

yes, it is. Citizens advice last week doubted it - but the nice lady checked her list and was on it. X

[Hidden]

I have been trying to get hold of a copy of a letter that is normaly shown on the fibroaction web site, But it seems to have gone walkabout. this is fibroactions explanation of the letter. Mr Grayling is or was minister of employment.

`Therefore Mr Grayling has confirmed that if you have a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia ATOS should recognise that it is a real and potentially significantly disabling condition and ATOS must take full account of ALL the effects it has on you.`

Should help you .Sue

[hamble99b in reply to Hidden]

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

[hamble99b]

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

(this member has left the forum)

I wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago about the letter I'd written to my MP . He contacted Chris Grayling on my behalf regarding changes to the welfare system and I have today received a forwarded reply sent to my MP from Chris Grayling .

It's too long for me to type out on here but is a pretty standard letter , and it appears to me that he must have been deluged with similar letters.

The letter basically states that these changes are taking place because the present welfare bill is costing the UK tax payers 13 billion a year , that many of those on incapacity benefit want to the opportunity to work , that it is a fair and equal assessment and that claimants who are found capable of work will be " invited " to claim jobseeker's allowance.

The last paragraph reads :

" For those who transfer to ESA , we will ensure that benefit payments are not disrupted . No one moving from their existing benefits to ESA will see a reduction in the level of their benefit entitlement at the point of change

Chris Grayling believes that the majority of people claiming Incapacity Benefit , Severe Disablement Allowance and DLA are capable and indeed want to work . He believes that with support " many " of those on these benefits will be able to do some form of work.

He includes a link in the letter to professor Harrington's reviews of the process and the Government's responses to these . Which can be viewed at :

dwp.gov.uk/policy/welfa...

He also says :

" We are committed to ensuring that individuals with the most severe disabilities or health conditions will not be expected to undertake any work-related group activity and will get the extra support they need as part of the Support Group of Employment and Support Allowance ( ESA ) . Additionally , claimants who need extra support to prepare for work will receive it as part of the ESA Work Related Activity Group regime ".

I am going to formulate a reply to my MP and ask if he has any knowledge of exactly what the current ATOS assessment entails , I'm going to detail my personal experience of it and ask him if he thinks this method is fair.

Basically this letter is a standard reply that indicates that the government have no intention of changing course and fully believe that the majority of people claiming disability benefits are fraudulent and are in fact fit for work.

It also indicates to me that this is purely a money saving exercise with no regard to the actual needs of ill or disabled people.

helen (this member has left the forum)

[TheAuthor]

Hi juliekp

It is a very difficult question to answer I am afraid to say, except it is recognised under the ''Equalities Act of 2012'' which is completely different to saying it is a disability.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

Fibromyalgia is a recognised illnesses but its not that label that can get

you help but the way it affects your daily life,