How to give up work due to fibromyalgia???

[Laura22222]

I work as a 1:1 Teaching assistant in a primary school with a special needs child, due to the nature of my role I am finding it increasingly difficult to continue working with the constant pain and fatigue and feel I can no longer continue. However, I am terrified of quitting as I don't know how we will cope financially as a family. Can anyone give me advice about how to go about this?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there, you may like to speak to our benifits advisor Janet. You can find outbhow to contac her along with more benifits advice on the link below.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Momo

[Laura22222 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you I will look into this

[1whitestar]

hi, I am in the position too. I work as a carer in the community and everytime I go back to work even small shifts I am them layed up for 4 to 5 days where my body won't move. My doctor has put me on sick at the moment . I will contact c.a.b. to see what is the best.

[Laura22222 in reply to 1whitestar]

So sorry to hear that, I hope you get the help you need❤️

[Dinkie]

Have you discussed the problem with your employers. Please do not make any decisions before taking advice. You are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and if you haven't already done so, you are entitled to have an assessment from Occupational Health to see if reasonable adjustments can be put in place to enable you to continue working. I was very resistent to having the assessment but have to say it was the best thing that could have happened to me. My employer put in place all the recommendations and I am still in work many years later.

Also if you resign you may find that this will have implications for pension, unemployment benefit and the like. If you are in a union they are often able to help too but please take professional advice.

[Gigiruth in reply to Dinkie]

Dinkie,

such good info.

I was worried about my 1st OHS but they couldn't have been more helpful. They made me feel more capable and it got me a different working pattern and agreement to go home at short notice so it was safe to drive if fatigue set in.

all the best.

[Dinkie in reply to Gigiruth]

glad it worked for you too. Does having to undergo assessment make you disabled? No it makes you “able” able to do your job😁

[Laura22222]

Thank you. It all feels like such a minefield and I feel so overwhelmed and don't know which way to turn. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer🥰

[CM1EDSUK]

Just to add to the advice above, & totally agree with Dinkie - go down the Occupational Health route first; do not resign. See some info from ACAS: acas.org.uk/reasonable-adju... &

acas.org.uk/using-occupatio...

As Ajay suggests, you can also get advice about benefits from a Welfare Rights Office or Citizens Advice. Check here to see what may be available in your area: advicelocal.uk/ choosing 'Welfare benefits' from the drop down menu.

As far as PIP goes, many people claim this & work (so long as the work you do doesn't contradict your claim), but be aware it can take several months to get an outcome. Have a look at the activities/descriptors that are looked at with PIP: cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asset...

ESA is now New Style ESA, & contribution based. You may be able to claim this if you have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions in the past 2 financial years, i.e. up to April 2022. Please see: gov.uk/employment-support-a...

About Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay This lasts up to 28 weeks, & you can put in a claim for ESA from 3 months before this ends; you would need form SSP1 from your employer to then claim ESA.

There's also Universal Credit, which if you're married/have a partner, then both your incomes will be taken into account, but overall, as has been suggested above, get benefits advice.

You could also try this benefits calculator: benefits-calculator.turn2us...

[moo196]

seek support before considering this.

You may be required to look at other forms of employment.

[Greyt]

Hi Laura I do hope you get some good advice and help . My friend has received PIP payments.

I too am in a similar position having had fibromyalgia for last eight years . The medications haven't helped me so I use over the counter pain relief and pain management by recognising onset of flare ups etc . Now I have been diagnosed with arthritis in the arches of my feet , very painful and debilitating…. I still work as a housekeeper but it is getting hard. I am over pension age so not eligible for PIPS and am very worried about the future especially financially as I don’t know how much longer I can go on working 😢

[Rox_daw in reply to Greyt]

hi

Can you claim attendance allowance as you are over pension age ? Hope all goes well

[Blue1927]

Hi, I was in the same position where I was struggling to work. Had OH assessment and they were really helpful. Tried to carry on working to a stage where I just couldn’t go on so resigned 😞. I firstly applied for New Style ESA which wasn’t income based but relies on the contributions you have made during your time working. I had to submit sick notes from the doctor to send off to them. After a year I then had an assessment which was over the phone, I was then placed in the Support Group, which meant that I no longer had to send in the sick notes. I also applied for PIP, which took a lot longer so I would say ask your emplyer for an OH assessment, apply for PIP as you can get it whether your working or not, but does take a long time but seek advice from eg your local citizens advice to help you. I hope this helps xx

[Jeskin]

Hi Laura22222

I have just given up work as my employer wouldn’t accommodate me and I felt I was pushed into a corner.

I applied for UC. I had an initial appointment and they sent me through a UC50 which I have filled in and sent back, I just have to wait for a medical assessment by them now. As long as you have sick notes from doctors you will get money and don’t have to look for work until you have completed the form and had your assessment , then they will tell you if / how many hours work you are expected to look for . You just have to keep supplying your sick notes.

I hope this helps

[bigalan]

Hi Laura, it is worth asking your employer as they should be able to put some measures in place. I work as a college Lecturer, and they have done it for me. Good Luck.