Benefit help

[Fatgrandad]

I have after 7 months been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, in that time 8 have been unable to work and been living off my savings , now that I have my diagnosis am unsure which benefits to claim , any help greatly appreciated

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, may I ask why you have not been claiming benefits if you have been unable to work for so long ?

Been diagnosed with fibro does not mean your automatically entitled to benefits.

PIP is awarded for any illness that may effect a person on a daily basis. It's not about what you have but how it effects you.

The link below will help you speak with our benefits team.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

Momo

[Fatgrandad in reply to Dizzytwo]

Not claimed anything as didn't think I could being self employed thought I had to wait till diagnosed

[Dizzytwo in reply to Fatgrandad]

Hi there, no if claiming PIP its how your illnesses effect you. Not what the illness is. I am sure the benefits team will be able to give you the help and information your looking for .

[Debsdelight72 in reply to Dizzytwo]

Spot on Momo,

These questions come up far too often, Thank you for reminding others

[redkite55]

Hi , not sure of your circumstances but if you still have significant savings you can't claim for universal credit. You can claim for ESA though as it's not means tested, there are 2 different sorts though, I get the support one and it was back dated to when I left work. You have an interview, mine was over the phone as during covid, but it was much nicer than the PIP one. It can take up to 13 weeks for them to sort out but then you get the backdated amount. This was 4 years ago so don't know if anything has changed, especially with the new government. I looked up ESA on the gov.uk website and there was a number to call.

Hope this has helped, good luck.

[Fibrooh in reply to redkite55]

ESA is sort of means tested in that if you have savings that can disqualify you.

[redkite55 in reply to Fibrooh]

There are 2 different ones. I am on the one that isn't means tested. I have been on it for 4 years now and have never been asked about my financial situation. I think it is the contribution based one I am on. If you get the other one you get free prescriptions etc but I can't with mine.

[Sisterstogether]

Hello. If you are self employed and have payed class 2 national insurance contributions you should be eligible for the contribution ESA which is not means tested. Hope that helps.

[releasethemagic]

There are a number of benefits you could claim. Some are based on your National Insurance record, others are not. If you are unemployed, Job Seekers Allowance is the benefit to claim. If you can't work due to your health, you need a GP Fit Note (sick note) and then you claim either New Style ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) based on your NI contributions, or the Universal Credit equivalent. Universal credit is means-tested against savings and household income. New style ESA is only means tested against occupational and personal pensions. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is paid to people with long-term disabilities who have difficulty with daily living tasks like cooking, dressing etc and /or mobility issues. It is what you can't do that gets you the benefit, not the medical condition or diagnosis. It is non taxable and not means tested. You may also be able to get help with rent, help with Council Tax through your Local Authority, free prescriptions, and free NHS dental care, depending on what benefits you qualify for. I would advise you to make an appointment with your local Citizens Advice Bureau, and sort it all out there.