Hi everyone.
Ive had Fibromyalgia for over 13 years now. I ve worked full time all the way through it however my sickness levels are bad. Im 54 and at the moment i feel i cant cope with full time work anymore yet i need a full time wage to live as i am on my own. Is anybody else in this situation and if so how do you manage? My job is too physical yet i have no qualifications to change to maybe an office environment.
Reduce your hours and apply for employment support allowances pip.I stopped atb61 and get both.
Thank you for your reply.
Does that make up for your reduced hours? I am renting and have to make sure i can pay all my bills. x
You will get help with your rent and C tax. But that depends on other income into your home.?pip is not means tested..but it opens other doors for you.
Hi Bluelily and welcome to our happy little band.
You are entitled to have a "reasonable adjustments" meeting with your employers and for an assessment by Occupational Therapist, asssuming of course you have told your employers about your fibro diagnosis. I did not want to go through it but have to say it was the best thing that could have happened. Lots of things were suggested by the OT to enable me to do my job in an easier way for me. Yes I reduced my hours and wondered and fretted about coping but I managed. You do not say whether or not you have put in a claim for or do get PIP which is another avenue open to you. There are lots of self assessment for PIP for you to have a go at and see if you think you may be entitled before applying. I struggled for far too long and only now I have been through the assessment and over a year down the line I haven't had a day off sick for a year and my work/life balance is obviously improving because of it. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. I am sure others will be along soon with more information and guidance and ideas for you.
Hi Dinkie and thank you for your advice. I have applied for pip and waiting for the outcome. But i worry about paying the bills. I am off with a chest infection at the moment but my fibro has flared up and i am so worn out and in pain. It is going to be difficult to deal with my meeting even though my union rep will be there. I had one last year and was lucky to keep my job. Although i had to go a full year with no sick. Unfortunately, on the 11th month i had a severe earache and was hospitalised for a few days. Hence the new meeting. As i am still waiting for occ health to arrange an appointment, i developed a severe chest infection which has lead to me being sick now. Total nightmare!
I just feel i cant keep going like this. x
Seems my post and nurse gladys's were done at the same time and offered similar advice! I appreciate it really is a nightmare. I'm going through the same with my husband at the moment. He's been off for a long time and his company are making his life very difficult, the added pressure does nothing to help in recovery does it. Pain is very debilitating and it's hardly surprising that many of us suffer from depression too. Take whatever help and advice is offered by the union rep and also ACAS can be helpful too.
Keep posting as it will help you feel you are not going through this alone and others with far more experience than I can have the chance to offer their support and advice.
Hi
I reduced hours form 35 to 25 a week last year and I dont loose much as dont pay so much income tax or National insurance ,
I'm 53 and sufferred for 15yrs. For 10 yrs I worked part time, latterly 26hrs pr wk, and had to leave on health grounds Apr 2017. I claimed no benefits as my earnings put me over the threshold for regular benefits (£1020 pr mnth). I really didn't want to go down the disability benefits route. I paid full rent & C/Tax and barely scraped by. Now I receive PIP, supported ESA, housing benefit & Council Tax benefit. I've never been as well off!
You can check online if you'd qualify for benefits at lower earnings levels but, be awar, you might have to fight for PIP & ESA.
I reduced to part time and claimed benefits for a couple of years but last January I had to stop work or as I tell everyone I took early retirement ( I am 62) I was self employed and thought I could work round the bad days but they became more and more frequent.
I claim UC but would not be able to manage without PIP, it makes a big difference. I am still waiting to hear about ESA.
I downsized to a ground floor flat so the rent is taken care of and as long as the PIP continues I hope to manage until I receive a pension in 4 years.
I always thought I would struggle on but there comes a time when you have to do what is best for your health and I don't regret my decision.
There is help out there and from people on here to get you to your decision.
Yes, I am in same predicament! So sore and exhausted.
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