New Member - hello all! Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2013 following two heart attacks. Unable to claim any benefits.

[Maud-ie]

I have three stents in my coronary arteries, diagnosed with fibro, arthritis in spine and Raynaud's Syndrome. Last time I applied for benefits I was given 0/15 as my fibro affects mainly 'waist down' and not my upper body. Cannot get my pension until I am 66 in 4 years, cannot work and my husband is retired. Don't know what to do.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information support friendship and laughter too. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our main website fmauk.org

[releasethemagic]

If you have paid National Insurance Contributions you can claim ESA or its Universal Credit equivalent. You will be medically assessed against different criteria from PIP. If you are awarded benefit, it will either be based on your NI contributions, or on total household income if you have not paid enough NI. Even if you get no benefit, due to income from your husband, you will get NI credits towards your own State Pension. Those 4 years added to whatever you have from earlier in your life could add another £20 a week to your State Pension. This ESA Guide is very good disabledviewuk.com/download...

It is worth trying for PIP again. Read the Guides here that will help you present yourself in the best possible way healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Midori]

Try again, and go through all the hoops.They make it difficult by marking you down, you have to challenge them at every turn.

Cheers, Midori

[Seanprog]

Dear Maud-ie, I would advise you to appeal. Get in contact with your local welfare rights team and liaise with them. Also Citizens Advice. I would also look into talking up the mental health side of the process (i.e the affect all your illnesses have on that area of your life). I have Fibro and arthritis and PTSD and I had to stress the affects of the latter.

I had to literally act out my worst day to get benefits. Fortunately I had a decent nurse at my assessment. The best of luck with it all and if there's anything I can do/advise you on please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes,

Sean

[Maud-ie in reply to Seanprog]

Thank you so much. Kind words and helpful advice mean the world to me at the moment. Thank you x

[Seanprog]

My pleasure. There's nothing worse than feeling alone. Take care. x

[Rabs550]

Sorry about my language but wtf why did they not reward you you deserve high rate for both go and say you want them to have a nother look if that doesn't work say you want to apeal

[Rabs550]

Sorry I got a little upset with wat they did first of all get as much information regarding ur health how it effects tou wat illness you have and try to get ur for filled at cab there experts in that and if there is someone looking after you like it daughter best friend husband get a letter confirming wat they so for even if you surfer more down below that means ur legs and maybe feet so I guess you find it difficult to walk and pain so there's points for that geting in and out of the shower 🚿 points for that hardly go out points for that don't sit quite there's lots of points you get ur arthritis fibromalgiya letters how it effects you the servere pain ur social life there's lots you can say and Just reading a little about you I can understand wat your going through get all ur surporting letter ur hospitals one and if you can get one from gp it should do the job don't sit you deserve it and good luck xx ❤️❤️

[Rabs550]

When did you ladt apply?

[Midori]

Try again, and fight all the way, even getting your MP on it if necessary. It is important you claim before 65,as to the best of my knowledge they haven't updated the age when it is no longer claimable.

If you can find a Welfare Rights person to help you fill in the forms, so much the better. Also get copies of all your ops, the stents etc. Hard copy is harder to ignore. Don't send originals, photocopies only, and send them Special Delivery; It costs more but it is trackable, and they cannot then deny receipt. Be prepared to be refused, Get your Assessors report and tell them you want a Mandatory Reconsideration. you have to do this. If you are still knocked back tell them you are going to appeal.

Cheers midori