Claiming benefits - hi I'm new here have been diagnosed a few months ago

[GingerGal]

I spoke to someone recently who has fibro and she said she is claiming benefits. I am 69 and wondered if any knows if I can claim any benefits, and how do you go about this. I wa diagnosed about three months ago. Any help would be appreciateted.

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi GingerGal

Welcome to the Fibromyalgia Support forum

Having been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia does not automatically qualify you for benefits. It is how your illness affects you that depends upon whether you are awarded benefits or not.

Due to your age I am not actually sure which benefits you would be able to apply for.

I think the best thing you can do would be to go to the CAB and they can go through which benefits you are entitled to apply for.

If you have a look at our mother site you will find a wealth of information about Fibromyalgia fmauk.org

Once again a warm welcome and I look forward to chatting to you again.

Lu x

Administrator

[Rose54]

Hi

Do you receive State Pension if so may be able to apply for Pension Credit other than that it would be attendance allowance but as BlueMermaid3 says Fibor does not automatically entitle you to benefits .

Rose

[rosewine]

Google Attendance Allowance go on the Age UK link and it will lead you to an excellent explanation of AA with some very handy tips. You can get a claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0345 605 6055.

It can also be a passport to other benefits so it might be a good idea to get a full benefits check. If you have a CAB or Age UK near you I would enquire whether you could get help filling the form in as it is how you word things that matter.

As the others have rightly said it is not what illness you have but how it affects you long term on a daily basis. Good luck.x

[jayfer]

Hi my mum is 85 and has just qualified for attendance allowance, she has polyomyalgia rheumatica. It was a lot easier to get than pip, no face to face assessment, no stress, good luck.

[TheAuthor]

Hi GingerGal

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.

I have pasted below the link to the GOV.UK cache on Attendance Allowance:

gov.uk/attendance-allowance...

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken