I was finished from work a few mths ago because of my RA I only worked 14 hours wk my husband works, is there any help I can get from anyone

[Suebouncer]

[Hidden]

Hi there, I need that question answered also. I'm currently working part time and I'm finding it really hard at the moment. If you get any answers, please let me know thanks xx

[Suebouncer]

I worked on check outs for 10 years, they finished me this year because of being off sick throu RA. To be honest some days it is really hard for me to even do house chores, I feel so tired all the time, I had a bad cold a mth ago and I have felt really bad since, when this steroid injection where's off I will be in trouble again with my knees and my feet and hands, I find it hard to drive when my hands play up, I'm on 20 mg Mtx but they are going to up it in two weeks, the way I feel in myself I no I would not be able to hold a job down, just wish I could feel a bit better in myself.

[sciqueen]

Hi

I received my p45 last week. I left my job also due to too much time of due to RA. I'm relieved to not have the routine of getting up, working in pain, the stress in teaching is horrendous. I'm tentatively looking for work again. Although I'll restart after Christmas.

The problem is, I'm not sick enough to qualify for any benefits, too young to retire

I won't claim unemployment benefit as I probably won't get it as hubby is in employment or earns too much.

It's friggin shyte, but I suppose that's life

Good luck Sci x

[Hidden in reply to sciqueen]

Really sorry to hear that Joanne, it's really tough. ESA and Jobseekers allowance are given on your N.I contributions regardless of your husband's income and there's also PIP which isn't means tested and is paid regardless of whether you're working or not. You may only get the lower rate of PIP but it's better than poke in the eye with a sharp stick! benefitsandwork.co.uk has all the info you need in order to successfully apply.

Cece x

[sciqueen in reply to Hidden]

Thanks - I'll keep you updated x

[watson3 in reply to sciqueen]

You may be entitled to ESA based on employment based national insurance contributions. Worth a try. Good luck

Carole

[sciqueen in reply to watson3]

Thanks I'll look into it x

[Suebouncer]

I know it's crap, for want of a better word, I know in myself I'm not well enough for work, I'm so tired all the time and I generally feel unwell, is it the Mtx I don't know, but if I didn't take it I wouldn't be able to comb my hair without being in terrible pain, so fed up, I loved my job, my husband works away all week, and my daughter has gone to work in Saudi so that don't really help, anyway that's my moan for today, thanks for your reply. Sue.

[Hidden]

Hi everyone.

I don't know whether you will qualify for benefits is you work less than 16 hours which seems to be the magic number for the DWP.

If it's any help though, there is an independent site called turn2us.org.uk which should be able to give you all the information you need.

Good luck.

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I'll have a look.

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

I used to work more but over the last few years I cut my hours down, but I will look at that site thanks. I just think it's wrong that we have to pay for our prescription when we have RA for life

[sciqueen]

Mtx does make you tired. Fatigue is part of the disease. Like you if I didn't take it, I'd be worse of. Winter is harder on us, than the summer.

If I'm honest with myself, I can't work full time any more, like you I feel tired. It's hard to pick up a p/t job as a teacher initially, so I guess I'll probably have to take something less qualified or work full time, struggle along and hope I can reduce my hrs in the future.

Basically it's a bummer, as I don't feel I have much of a choice.

Sci x

[Suebouncer in reply to sciqueen]

I no hard isn't it.

[Philip]

Sounds like you might have to be s scrounger like some of us on here, msybe give the house of plentu a ting and see whst your entitlement is, gloomy to say the least but ee sre in it together, dont you know.

Philip

[Suebouncer in reply to Philip]

I and my husband have worked over 37 years and never claimed a thing, makes me sick, so I am now in the club.

[Hidden]

Look at benefitsandwork.co.uk - lots of helpful info on there:-}

Cece x

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden]

I feel so sorry for you youngsters, when I took voluntary redundancy last year at least I was able to get my works pension paid early even though I have another five years to wait for the state pension, and as I had paid in over the full amount for said state pension, I don't have to worry about signing on.

The stress that you kids have to put up with let alone your RA is so bad, and my heart goes out to each and everyone of you. xx

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

I wish I was a kid, then again no I don't

[Hidden in reply to Suebouncer]

Ha ha you don't! I wish I was at retirement age & that's coming from a 31yr old! It's only gonna get worse... x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi there,

Yeah, I know, tell me about it! I'm 31 and had this poxy thing for 10-11 years. I'm currently working PT, but I'm struggling BIG TIME. I find every morning I have to get up a real struggle.. am soo tired. I need to meet a millionare! xx

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

I'm 56 and I've only had RA for the last 18 mths god you had it young,

[Hidden in reply to Suebouncer]

I know Sue... but there's people out there a lot younger than myself.. Just have to get on with it I suppose.. Life's a b**tch eh?

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

What medication are you on

[Hidden in reply to Suebouncer]

Were you in a works pension? If so then you should have been able to take this when you left work, you can take your works pension from the age of 55. I would look into this if you were as it will only be frozen until you reach retirement age.

[Suebouncer in reply to Hidden]

No I wasn't.

[Hidden]

I worked in a special school for 16 years, 5 of them when I was on methotrexate, the earlier ones I was taking NSAIDs. I used to get there on a bike as there was no direct bus, too far to walk, and I can't drive. I hated it and it exhausted me. I was so glad to be able to retire. So I really feel for all of you who are having to keep working through the agony and fatigue that RA causes. God bless.

Kath xxx