Always foggy and don’t know where to turn...

[Mads3696]

I’m hoping people will able to help me understand what I need to do, I’ve not posted before but have been reading for a while and can see how supportive this community is. I have fibromyalgia (diagnosed over 5 years ago) and arthritis in my hips and knees. I was working, but since having my youngest child a year ago last July, I just don’t have enough energy for anything, I’m in lots of pain and can’t even consider going back to working. Should I be applying for benefits? PIP or ESA? Or something else? I’ve done benefits calculators but never get the same results and don’t really understand the differences I also find it hard to understand what to do next anyway. I’m not stupid, just eternally tired and ‘foggy’ all the time. Do they deliberately make it all impossible for us to know what we are entitled to? I’m just hoping for some help and direction please.

[Miss68]

Hello Hun and welcome to the most lovely, kind, friendliest group you could ever be a part of. I'm not an expert so I can only let you know what I've done. I was off sick for over a year due to issues with cysts on my spine which in turn developed into fibro. I was advised through work that once I got to half pay that I should apply for esa. It was very easy to do and receive and I think that was helped by having knowledgeable HR support. I applied for pip, which doesn't affect your wages, as my manager felt I was a good candidate for it. I was one of the fortunate ones that were lucky enough to receive without having to reapply for it etc. In my humble opinion I think you should definitely apply for pip and then maybe speak to your HR manager about esa. I'm not sure if anyone else on this site can offer any more advice, they're very good so I'm sure they can. I feel your pain and sheer exhaustion Hun. Feel free to talk anytime you want to hunny and don't ever feel like you're on your own. Take care xx

[Mads3696 in reply to Miss68]

Thank you for your lovely reply! I really think talking to people who understand is going to help. I’m not employed anymore, so I don’t know if I can apply for ESA? Is all so complicated isn’t it. X

[Miss68 in reply to Mads3696]

You're very welcome Hun. I think it's worth applying for it anyway. There's no harm in it and they can only say no lol. It might be worth talking to citizens advice too. I've heard that they are very helpful when it comes to applying for benefits. Let me know how you get on with it all Hun. You'll probably teach me a thing or two lol x

[Mads3696 in reply to Miss68]

Hi, sorry it’s been a while. I’ve ended up going out to work (almost full time) because of my husband’s disability and we really need the money. We did apply for ESA and don’t qualify unfortunately. I still haven’t applied for PIP as I don’t think I can deal with the added stress at the moment. My Fibro pain is the worst it’s ever been 🙁

Hope you’re doing well?

[Miss68 in reply to Mads3696]

Oh bless you Hun, I’m so sorry you’re suffering so much. It’s not surprising really now that you’re back at work and working so hard. I appreciate you have to work due to your husband’s disability, however, you really do need to think about yourself too and not overdo things.

I’m very sore and exhausted due to lack of sleep and fibro symptoms.

Please take care of yourself lovely, wrap up warm and lots of love and hugs to you xx🤗🤗

[Mads3696 in reply to Miss68]

Thank you and you take care too xxx

[Hidden]

Hi sorry your feeling so bad😐the brain fog an fatigue are awfull,an people on here really understand how you feel,its a great site for help,advice a chat or just having a rant! or moan ,we all have too some times.benafit wise there's a num on gov.UK you can ring an they will tell you what your entitled to and apply for.there's also an adviser on here, soz I'm not sure how you contact her,but I'm sure someone will come along soon an can tell you that.it's a bit quite at the WK ends, but there's always help here, hope your feeling a bit better soon☺

[Mads3696 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Lors xx

[Rose54]

Hi

You need a sick note to claim ESA as its for those who are too sick to work also two rates to apply those who are claiming Contribution ESA based on their NI contributions .

Income based which will take into consideration all money coming into your household.

You can make a claim for PIP but plese get help to complete application form and gather as much medical evidence as possible.

As for the online tests I would just use them as guidelines for sort of things they are looking at .

As how you score yourself is never how they see you .

Rose xx

[Mads3696 in reply to Rose54]

Thank you x