Need advice please!

[8luebell]

Hi I've been off work since February due to pain in my right arm and hand, I had a steroid injection in February but this only lasted two weeks. After 3 months off physio and hand Therepy I demanded to be referred. i eventually got to see a Rhumatologist in May after refusing to have another steroid injection he examined me further and then sent me for an X-ray on my elbow and spine, I have a scan today for my shoulder. He then said he's looking at Cervical Spondyolos!

If I do have this as well as my Fibromyalgia my work are either looking at reducing my hours or Illness Retirement what I'd like to know is if they reduce my hours can I claim anything to top this up as I can't afford to go part time?

Or if I get Retirement through ill health what can I claim?

Any help before I speak to my Occ Health at work as she is pretty useless!

Many Thanks

[Creativeness1]

Hi @bluebell I think the best thing is speaking with the citizens advice bureau.

Otherwise the mother site might be worth looking at

fmauk.org

Good luck my friend

[bluebell99]

Try and get more information from your HR department, or union if you are in one. Is it possible for work to improve your workstation or change your job for another less physical?

There are reasonable adaptations that are your employer's responsibility and it could be worth exploring that before your hours are reduced.

hse.gov.uk/sicknessabsence/...

If you are not able to work full time even with these changes, then you could claim PIP or even ESA if you have to give up all together. Be warned though, neither is easy to get.

I suggest you get as much advice as possible before making any decision.

Xx

[8luebell in reply to bluebell99]

Thanks bluebell99 it's really hard to get any info from my HR, I asked to go and do light duties, I work as a Retail Assistant and now a days they expect you do anything and everything that's possible. Due to having Fibro I was put on lighter duties working more in the office! This actually helped the department that I was on as it was doing all the important things that they don't get time to do!

With my Arm and hand pain I thought if I was able to continue just doing the light duties at least I'm working, but he has refused this saying they were doing me a favour by letting me do light duties.

I don't think he wants me back as he was really cold to me on the phone were as usually we have a good working relationship.

I personally don't think il be able to continue doing what a retail assistant job description is, unless they are prepared for me to do just admin work I think I will be sacked.

I think I will have to see the CAB as the more I think the more confused I'm getting and I'm really scared.

Due to Fibro Fog and being off work so long days run into each other so I lost my Councillor due to me forgetting my appointments.

I feel so lost,lonely and scared, I live on my own so I only have myself to talk to. I know I sound like I'm wallowing in self pity but I'm not I just want guidance.

Thanks

[TheAuthor]

Hi 8luebell

I am so truly sorry to read this my friend and FMA UK do have a benefit adviser that you could ring and talk too? I have pasted her (Janet) contact details below:

FMA UK Welfare Benefits Helpline: 0300 999 0055

It could be (depending on your hours / ill health retirement) that you could apply for either / both ESA and PIP? I have pasted you the links to the GOV.UK cache on how to claim these below:

gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

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

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

[Amandaok1]

Hello. I have been off work since August 2016. Work has been good to me (NHS) but even they have limits. I have Fibro with Osteoarthritis and a few days ago was told that after taking my meds for so long my liver is starting to show signs of early damage which has totally scared me to death. anyway back to point...work has paid me 6 months at full pay and 6 months at half pay but in 1 month it will be no pay. I have applied for PIP which is taking forever. 14 weeks so far but I finally got a letter 're my assessment and I had that a few days ago. I am pleased to say they also said straightaway that they would come to me at home which was good as i could not have got to assessment centre as can hardly walk. I await to hear but this is not means tested so it doesn't matter if you work or not. Apply now cause it takes ages!. I have also applied for ESA which after a few days of over the phone application, similar to PIP, they sent me a letter they would pay me the lower rate whilst deciding which group to place me in. I chose contribution based as I have never claimed anything my whole life and because it is contribution based it also doesn't matter that I was getting paid from work still. you can also choose income based but they take everything and everyone's wages into mind. I am married and he works but I don't want us to struggle. Hope this helps a bit. Phone ESA & PIP and claim. my ESA WAS also backdated 3 months as my SSP from work had finished. So that was great news!! best of luck xxx