ill health retirement

[LauLau212]

Hi everyone and Happy New Year 🥳

trying to cut a long story short, I have been off work long term sick since August 24. Occupational Health advised at my last review that I be put forward for ill health retirement, however as I was only diagnosed in March ‘24 and had yet to reach a baseline of symptoms, I argued that I should remain off sick with a view to returning to work in the longer term due to my age (41)

Unfortunately, despite medication reviews with primary care GP, CBT, physio and pain advice (awaiting pain clinic) I have not seen a big improvement in symptoms and next month I need to have made a decision as to whether I can, in some capacity, return to work. This will also depend on a further occupational health review.

I’ve read numerous reports that people with fibromyalgia have been turned down for ill health retirement and I’m concerned about being able to live, financially, if I cannot work.

So my question is, has anyone else successfully claimed this? Money in general is stressful as I own my own home, have no partner and am responsible for everything. I’m yet to have a work capability assessment from benefits agy, so don’t even know if I’ll get limited capability for that. I’m sure the added stress and worry isn’t helping me but I just wanted to hear there’s hope if I am deemed unfit for work.

Thank you

☺️

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya... Hello, I am sure the worry is differently not helping, I have posted a link from our website for you too read and I am hoping members with their own experiences will pop on the forum with helpful advice, I hope you find the forum helpful in general as I have over the last few years and always learning something new.x

[2hot]

Hi, I had to take medical retirement. I was a bit older at 60 and have other conditions but I am similar in that I am on my own and all the finances fall to me. I haven’t found an issue with finances since as I found I don’t spend much anyway. I can pay the bills although I am careful with utilities especially now. Not having to drag myself to work when I’m ill and not feeling guilty if I can’t get in has improved my mental health too. There are two levels, one where you can’t work at all and one where you can work at something. I can’t work at all so when I’m ill I can just accept it and relax. I hope this has helped you a little bit to decide. Good luck.

[Littlepicasso3]

Hello … I decided to leave work after 6 months with a sick note rather than stay on and get retired on medical grounds . The stress of being signed off and knowing my colleagues were struggling and a replacement would not be found until my post was vacant added to my anxiety and ill health . It took me a couple of years to even out my health to a point where i can return to something less taxing and more forgiving for periods of time where I get a flare of my fibromyalgia. I think that although the money side is tight I would not trade it in for remaining in my post ( I was a charge nurse in the NHS) . As they say you ‘cut your cloth accordingly’ it’s amazing how well you can manage.

[PorridgeoatsScotland]

Hi, I was very recently retired on ill health. Initially I was referred to OH because of symptoms severe pain, tiredness and depression. OH made a plan for reasonable adjustments return to work but these were unworkable. I had been off long term sick and OH said I did not meet criteria for ill health retirement as I did not have a diagnosis. There was a waiting list of significant months before I could see a neurologist and therefore I paid for a private consultation. I did this with advice from my wife who works in HR. After receiving my diagnosis my manager referred me back to OH for ill health retirement assessment. OH again advised that I still did not meet criteria as I had not been referred to pain clinic. Whilst waiting for OH report before again meeting with employer I received an appointment for pain clinic and independent doctor who looked at my claim, agreed against OH recommendation . I believe that my employer and OH were hoping that I would accept that I should leave via capability however with advice and financial support from my wife I was able to hold off. Despite giving 27 years as a Social Worker I was only a number to them who could be replaced as soon as I had left. I am now awaiting payment of lump sum and pension from local authority.

[Pony240852]

Hiya. I'm sorry this is worrying you 😞 it is stressful. I had to leave my NHS job and I applied for it and never got it as I wasn't far enough down the treatment path for them to say that I wouldn't get better!! And I'm only 46. I also don't take medication as that's not for me and they said I hadn't explored all treatment paths, which is crap as its my choice not to take medications that cause more proboems. But I've been managing fine. I am also on my own with no family support ir partner, so I understand the worry as i went through it all. I get universal credit which pays my rent and bills and I get adult disability which isn't a lot. But it's enough to live off. I dont drink or smoke now so that helps! I also have limited capability to work so dont have to look for work at the moment and I'm waiting for a review to deem me not fit to work at all for now.

It is scary taking the leap, but I had to do what was right for me and I would rather be skint and able to concentrate on my health, than work in a really stressful job which I actually can't do anymore anyway and it would just have made things worse. It also gave me the breathing space to listen to my body and I'm working on regulating my nervous system.

It was very daunting going down this road, but I am glad I did it, I hope to maybe get back to work one day, but for now I'm just concentrating on my health 🙏 I hope that helps

[RustyOBear]

I recognise the situation. It seems public service employers will do anything to replace you and avoid retiring you on medical grounds. So I understand why you want to keep your options open re your current job.

Like another replier I too was in social work. After a nasty car accident and unable to return to work after several months, The employer wanted me to leave with two months pay as I was not ‘ firing on all cylinders’. I turned to my Union and they were so supportive, I was seen by the medical officer of the council and she agreed with retirement on medical grounds. That income was quite small but along with my invalidity benefit enabled me to survive financially.I went on to developing fibromyalgia which resulted in permanent retirement.

I don’t know if you belong to a union but they would be able to support you and negotiate on your behalf.

Otherwise, getting advice and support from a related charity or Citizens Advice Bureau or similar would be useful.

At least you’d then be able to challenge the timeline of one month to allow for a considered decision.

In the meantime some self care is vital, pacing yourself to preserve energy, also switching off from social media and the news and having uplifting things to listen to and engage in.

I hope you have some positive friends and family around to support you?

You may find it helpful to go on an app like Headspace or Calm to help with anxiety and stress.

As others have said, although not easy, if retired medically with additional benefits, even as a stopgap to adjust to your health condition and hopefully take some form of employment in the future, is not the end of the world.

There is plenty of understanding and tips on this forum, so hope everything will work out for you soon. X