Hi
Not sure if you remember that I had to re apply for ESA, i got a letter today, to say that I am still in Support group & everything will continue as normal. Thank goodness didn't need a medical, just hoping everything will be same for my sister as I helped to fill it in for her. I am relieved for myself as the stress has had me feeling ill, so I must have completed the form correctly.
I am clueless when it come to applying for benefits.
All I know is I don’t know how much long I can keep up with work and life as it is.
I keep thinking at some point I’m going to need to stop work and bite the bulletin and apply but I’m worried as to what I would go through stress wise.
I’ve read so many horror stories.
So I’m pleased to hear your is all sorted and my fingers are crossed it goes the same way for your sister x
Hi Lisa
Thank you for comment. To find out I went on Scope's website for advice. I asked them what is the best way to complete the forms. I followed what they said and it worked for me & so I helped my sister fill in her form, we put in as many of her latest hospital letters as possible and hopefully she will also be successfull.
I hate having to apply for any benefit, but 22years ago , i was only 30, I had a really bad lupus flair. I was in hospital for 6 weeks as I couldn't use either of my hands and because of that I was forced to take medical retirement from the Inland revenue.
I dont know what type of job you do but, If you are struggling at work see if you can go part time, but first discuss it with Pesonnel if you have one. I think that there is a department within the Job Centre that deals with disability issues & work, so you may get advice. There they can work with your employer to give you various modifications if you struggle with your job.
What ever you decide to do good luck and keep us up to date with what you decide.
What does support group mean if you don’t mind me asking? X
Hi
What my understanding is that if your disabled, but fairly healthy you get extra help for looking for a job?, but if they don't think that you are fit enough to work then your not forced to apply for jobs. Also you get an extra amount of money compared to the other group. It had taken me years to find out my self.
I’m currently off sick receiving ssp, not sure what will happen once that runs out. Do you receive pip too? X
Hi Lisaloui
I am currently still receiving full Dla, but my sister was changed to Pip & she lost her car, if I lose mine i will be housebound unless I get taxis or my mum pushes me to hospital in my wheelchair.
If you don't mind me asking, have you been off work long and do you send the sick notes to your employer or to DWP? When my SSP ran out at work, because i was off for so long I then had to claim Incapacity benefit, now ESA. I was on Incapacity benefit permanently until it was changed to Esa, 3/4 years ago, but for some reason they are re assessing people.
I think, but can not be sure that once your Ssp runs out you will then possibly need to claim Esa (Employment Support allowance).
However as for PIP if you need help with daily things like getting about, dressing, personel hygiene, cooking ect, then you can claim PIP. I believe that at the lupus UK office in Romford you can purchase a book on applying for benefits, but you would have to ask Paul about as he will know a lot more than I do. Good luck & keep me posted of how you get on and have a check on the DWP web site to find out more about benefit entitlement. I still can't believe that after working 3 & 4 part time jobs together as i couldn't get a full time job when I was healthy I have ended up living on benefits.
Thank you for your reply. My ssp will run out in July. So I have a short time to figure things out.
I really want to go back but at the moment I am having more bad days than good. I think my sleeping troubles are a lot to blame. Plus all the aches and pains.
I don’t think you should question why you have ended up on benefits, more the fact you did manage to work through it for so long.
X
Well done I am pleased for you
Sadly mine came back as you will have to apply for Universal credit as you are not in the support group this time ?
In my assessment the lady put in her report that I could handle my paperwork in my folder with out difficulty and that I sat for 50min what did she want me to do ? Walk out
You can not chose the day you go sorry if I was having a rare day of being able to function why do they not understand the stress they put us in
When they don’t even understand Lupus
I would love to work and feel well all the time
Hi
Appeal with your latest clinic letters, letters from consultant and anyone else medically involved in your care, though it is expensive it may be worth getting a letter from GP. As I was re applying I sent all these things in, so it must have worked, though my sister is still waiting to hear from them we are worried about it.
Let me know how you get on.
I'm sure that if you have to leave work because of ill health, you will be able to claim esa & I'm not 100% sure but they would take into account that you were unable to manage your current job,
The best thing i did was to look on the scope web site, where I was given some good advice. I also think that at lupus head office, have information about appying for benefits.
My sister received her letter today. she also didn't have to go for an assessment either. This is such a relief to us both, as last time she had to go through a traumatic assessment with someone from Atos, where she was told that people like her ie disabled, shouldn't have a baby & injured her examining her, however she was still awarded was.
ESA assessment
Esa question
ESA assessment.
