ill health retirement : Afternoon all... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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ill health retirement

Delmarky profile image
22 Replies

Afternoon all , has anyone been successful in getting ill health retirement in the NHS I’m 55 and really struggling to work with fibromyalgia now in constant pain every day🌈

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Delmarky profile image
Delmarky
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22 Replies
Hazel_Angelstar profile image
Hazel_AngelstarAdministratorFMA UK Staff

Hi, not been thru it for NHS but was medically retired from civil service in 1997.

You might find our new employment booklets useful. You can download at fmauk.org/publications

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic

I was medically retired from BT. I had to make a claim for early payment of my deferred pension on health grounds. I had to gather my medical evidence and I used my PIP assessors report too. BT Pensions sent me to see an independent Occupational Health Doctor. He had to decide whether I could carry out the duties of my old job that I had left in 1986 or any job at the same level. I got the pension with no reduction for being paid 6 years early. You need to find out the criteria for the NHS ill-health Pension and make sure you address the key points. You can get the evidence together from your GP and any hospital where you have been treated. DWP can supply copies of reports for benefits. Your Union can help too. Even a blue badge is evidence.

Midori profile image
Midori in reply to releasethemagic

At one time, there was a reciprocal agreement between the Post Office (as BT then was), and the NHS. I worked as a Post Office Telephonist for awhile before going back into the NHS.

Don't know the arrangements now though.

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic in reply to Midori

I found this Guidance from NHS Pensions via Google nhsbsa.nhs.uk/sites/default...

cynanwyl profile image
cynanwyl

Yes, I got Tier 2 NHS...was a nurse. If you want to know any details,I can dig up my paperwork and more detail on my circumstances. I’m sorry you’re in such pain and trying to work...I haven’t forgotten the physical and emotional stress of the final three years of my working life.

Delmarky profile image
Delmarky in reply to cynanwyl

Thank you will send in assessment and see what happens 👍

FARS4514 profile image
FARS4514 in reply to cynanwyl

Hi My wife is also a nurse, she has fibromyalgia, FND and NEAD, she is going through level 3 sickness policy and it looks very much like they are going to terminate her employment, we have asked about ill health retirement, only to be told that none of the conditions she suffers with are recognized under the NHS ill health retirement policy. Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

AnnaC64 profile image
AnnaC64 in reply to cynanwyl

Hello CynanwylI hope you’re well.

I have just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and work as a nurse for the NHS. I’m 57. I’m having lots of problems doing my job, I’m currently on sick leave because I’m just not coping. I have worked with pain and fatigue for over 10 years, not knowing what was wrong with me, just thought that it was getting older, unfit. Work has suggested that I go part time but I can’t afford to do that. I’m looking at ill health retirement and ideally level 2. I would appreciate any information you could give me to make an application for this, I really feel out of my depth with it. Thank you Anna (Cardiff)

Waldodebs profile image
Waldodebs in reply to cynanwyl

Hi I have just joined this website and fighting Fibro too. Im trying to fight for tier2, can you help at all, thanks Debs

cynanwyl profile image
cynanwyl

I hope to read a post saying your application has been successful. 🙂 wish you well.

sherrisix profile image
sherrisix

I might be wrong, but I think a standard pension could leave you much worse off financially than working age benefits (eg,ESA,PIP)

Delmarky profile image
Delmarky in reply to sherrisix

I believe ESA and PIP are so difficult to get with just fibromyalgia I’m in so much pain nursing I feel it’s the only choice I’ve got at the moment . Thank you sherrisix

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic in reply to Delmarky

You should definitely try for PIP. Lots of people get it for Fibromyalgia. It is not means tested, is tax free and is available whether you work or whether you don’t. I have posted lots of help with PIP here healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

If you get a pension ESA is reduced pound for pound. But it is still worth claiming as they credit your National Insurance so you get years towards State Pension.

Janettewhitelaw profile image
Janettewhitelaw in reply to releasethemagic

I would apply for esa then when your on that you can apply for pip at same time .but get a sick note as you’ve been working you should get esa .they give you it for thirteen weeks if you get in support group you could be on for yrs if working group one year .but apply for pip as well .go to doctors get sick note send dwp get pip form from dwp you’ll get all details on u gov web site for both forms .but get help from welfare rights for esa flirt or cab .its a long form for esa you really need help to fill it in they’ll advise you about pip eas first if you’re not working take it from there good luck

Janettewhitelaw profile image
Janettewhitelaw in reply to Janettewhitelaw

You can still try for esa they’ll tell you if it’s universal credit you get .but apply for pip s well it’s not means tested so I you get works pension they cannot touch your pip .uniiversal credit I’m not sure but if you’ve got works pension you may not get universal credit but try esa and they’ll tell you if you can get esa but pip definatly .dont see a problem if they give you it your pension won’t affect your pip

Janettewhitelaw profile image
Janettewhitelaw in reply to Janettewhitelaw

You can apply for pip even if your not on esa esa is changing in U.K. to universal credit .if you are over 65 your to old for pip you can apply for attendance allowance you can have your retirement pension and still apply for atttendance allowance you apply for care component as you cannot apply for mobility as your to old you can live alone and still apply you don’t need to have carers or coming in you can have freinds or family that help you but it is nota part of the attendance allowance rules .

releasethemagic profile image
releasethemagic in reply to sherrisix

PIP is payable even if you have a pension and it carries on after State Pension age too, so an NHS Pension, plus PIP is likely to be better than Universal Credit which is replacing ESA.

Jam1861 profile image
Jam1861

Hi i am 54 and I was medically retired from work last year but I had my paperwork sent straight to my pension plan people they sent me a letter to take to my doctor to sign to say I could no longer work in my current roll they then called my doctor to confirm what tgey stated was accurate they then retired me given me full access to my pension i was then redeployed at work to a less demanding roll on part time hours although my doctor and my managers think I should finish work but I need to keep my job i cant just give up i am very ill now with a lot more issues but my work is tge only normality I seem to have left and my new roll has also allowed me to work from home during the covid lockdown so has helped with my mental health just remember even if you do get medically retired you can still do another job part time and still get your job pension payout most employers will work with you to redeploy you so you can still do something to stay as active as possible without aggravating your condition

Delmarky profile image
Delmarky in reply to Jam1861

Thank you Jam1861👍🌈

Hi

I took ill health retirement 2 years ago. My boss had tried everything to keep me, she was brilliant!! Human resources were also good. My boss advised me to have my union involved, the lady only needed to come once as I was being well looked after. They needed letters from GP, consultants etc. I was seen by occupational health as well. I received the top tier which meant I could receive my pension early and it would carry on indefinitely, with the top tier I am not allowed to work again which I know I'm not physically able to anyway, I'm far worse now than I was 2 years ago and will carry on deteriorating. I am very lucky to have a great support network of family and friends and of course all of you on here. I'm still in touch with my friends from work including my boss.

I do have about 15 conditions causing 24/7 pain and an hour or less sleep per night due to pain . I manage a bit more if I'm exhausted.

Sorry for rabbiting on.

I do hope everything turns out well for you.

All my love Lynne xxxx ❤️🤗🌈💜

Delmarky profile image
Delmarky in reply to

Thanx Lynn will try and apply for ill health you take care will keep you updated 🌈👍😘🙏

in reply to Delmarky

Thank you, you too. Keeping 🤞🤞🤞 for you.

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