I have been recently diagnosed by my GP as having fibromyalgia after a struggle for it to be recognised as such. I have osteoarthritis too which I've had for 7 years. I struggle with severe pain in all parts of my body particularly my feet , legs and hands particularly the thumbs which are extremely painful every day. I am 62 and don't qualify for a pension as the pension age was increased by the government so I won't receive my pension for another 4 years. I am currently on ESA and have claimed low rate DLA for the past 5 years for my arthritic condition. I attend the Jobcentre and luckily had an understanding advisor who was sympathetic about my health problems and about the mental stress that I'm under with my son of 30 being treated for schizo affective disorder and severe OCD. I have been assigned a new jobcentre advisor and I'm very concerned about thisas I am worried that I could be sanctioned if they think I'm not doing enough to find a job. I can hardly get my self out of bed most days because of my pain.
As I'm currently fighting to get my son transfered from his current mental health facility to a specialist unit in London this situation has exacerbated my own health problems to the point that I rarely leave the house apart from the days when I visit my son and his psychiatrist every 2 weeks to get updates on his progress. This is a struggle as I have to catch 3 buses there and back. I just have a few questions that I need to ask as I am confused about some things and hope someone will be able to find the answers.
1. Does the condition (fibromyalgia ) entitle sufferers to claim disability benefit in England. I read that the condition is recognised as a disability in Northern Ireland although reading other comments here some people with fibromyalgia are receiving disability benefits and don't need to actively seek employment.
2. Can the jobcentre still require me to apply for jobs and will the fact that my GP has said that I have fibromyalgia and has given me medication to treat the condition. Will this exempt me from looking for work which I will be unable to do.
3. Can I reapply for DLA as my fibromyalgia was not on the original application. Just the arthritis that I got awarded the lower rate for. Is it PIP now and not DLA IF I had to make a new claim to include my recent diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
I feel so stressed out by all this and hope that someone perhaps with similar circumstances can advise me. Thanks
Written by
ladybob1
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I hope that you obtain some useful guidance, either from a member here or from the search facility.
There's also a forum on HU that is dedicated to Fibromyalgia and wonder if people there might be well placed to answer ESA/DLA and other enquiries related to that? healthunlocked.com/fibromya...
With all diseases it's how that disease affects you that is important for successful benefit claims, not just that you have been diagnosed with disease X or Y.
I have RA and for some people with RA they are eligible for PIP etc etc. I'm not eligible as my disease is well controlled so I can carry on without.
Get proper advice from a citizen's advice bureau (CAB).
I am so so sorry you are going through this. You shouldn't have to be so stressed about work when your so poorly.
Life is hard isn't it!
Anyway regards to your DLA claim, yes you need to re-apply and perhaps start getting sick notes off your doctor so you don't have to look for work or even better still see what your doctor says. Some doctors are so nice they even write a letter to tell whom ever you are not able to work (although this is rare).
I really hope you get things sorted and are able to find some peace so you can relax a little.
Thank you for your helpful and kind reply. I have had a lot of help and advice from members of this form including yourself. The advice and support has been so appreciated.
I can't advise you as I don't live in the UK....but your situation sounds familiar, no matter what country you live in. There was a time that I needed government financial help for 9 months......and my medical condition wasn't recognised by my government either....So in order for me to have continual financial aid, I too had to go to a job center. I applied for every job that was available to me...I filled out my job application very honestly. I notified my potential employer of my "medical condition"....because I was honest, no one hired me and I was allowed to keep my government finacial aid.
Please take the advise of people that live in your country, as they can lead you best.......but if all fails, take my advice.
Thanks so much for your reply.Like you I know that I am unemployable because of the amount of pain I'm in daily. I'm 62 and should like so many women born in the 1950's should have retired at 60. The government changed the retirement age for us. So I will be 66 before I receive the state pension. So many women are in the same position as myself and having to deal with their illness and red tape ! Sending you best wishes and thanks from across 'the pond'. Take care.
Hi ladybob so sorry to hear about your situation and struggles I am from Aussie we have a lot of great support but even here a lot of people are unaware of help that exist I suggest that you look everywhere for help from community centres to writing to government Dept's stay strpng
Over the last few years FM has been recognised as a separate and chronic condition by the medical world and more importantly in your case by the DWP. If the DWP have rolled out PIP in your area that is the benefit you will be applying for. Much like DLA you'll need to go through an interview with one of their contractors as a first stage. It may be a rocky road you have to travel but take advice from the CAB or maybe a law centre and they'll walk you through the procedure. The main thing is not to give up. Billions go unclaimed each year and it seems the likes of ATOS and CAPITA would like to keep it that way! Keep strong and once again, don't give up! Good luck!
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