Income / pain : assessment.

[Shreeve1979]

Hello all ..

I was wondering if anyone had claimed ESA or PIP while unable to work because of the pain, tiredness that rheumatoid arthritis causes. I have had no Income since May and the stress of trying to support 4 children of which I have a 1 year old makes me anxious at one point before taking steroids I couldn’t even lift my baby.

I have applied and have to go for an assessment but the process seems so difficult these days especially when you have to travel to get an assessment. Thankfully I do have a supportive family and partner.

Thanks in advance

[janny55]

Hi Shreeve

I claim ESA as I am unable to work at the moment , yes I had to go for an assessment, luckily my sister took me and it wasn’t very far away, my doctor also advised me to claim for PIP too, I don’t like doing it but as my family keep telling me that I’ve paid my Nat insurance and taxes all these years and worked hard, I hope that when they sort me out I can go back to some sort of work, good luck and best wishes 🤗

[Shreeve1979 in reply to janny55]

Thanks 😃

[oldtimer]

If you put 'ESA' or 'PIP' in the search box, you will find lots of previous posts with advice and experiences. Don't feel that the lack of replies so far means we don't know or don't care!

[Shreeve1979 in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for your support I will Have a look 🤗

[Evaflo10s]

Hi. I got ESA without even a face to face assessment and just started receiving PIP.

It can be stressful but ultimately not as stressful as lack of money , young children and RA !.

Good luck 😉

[Shreeve1979 in reply to Evaflo10s]

Thanks for response, yes you are right it’s more about being able to support my family whilst not being able to work. No income since May when I was due to go back. Rheumatoid arthritis flared up when I stopped breast feeding my baby she is now 1 year 😞 thriving and is now a little more helpful as she is walking 😄

[Evaflo10s in reply to Shreeve1979]

Aw , they’re lovely at that age . Well, other people’s babies are 😁. My youngest is 8 and I’m still wishing I could put her back in a pram at times 😊.

I would echo what other people are saying about getting some help with the forms by the way . I used to take my clients to PIP assessments and fill in the forms, albeit for mental health, so I had some previous experience . Other people aren’t so lucky and don’t get what they should . It’s a brutal system at times .

[Mmrr]

If you are unsure of the process citizens advice can help you with a claim for PIP and ESA.

[Shreeve1979 in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you .. I have filled out where I could the forms for these and had assessment booked. Ur had to cancel because of health and being reliant on Mum to take me to and from Hospital 3 times one week with various appts. They sent another appt which is just for ESA as far as I’m aware and I had nearly got there and they rang tk cancel !! Anothe appt came through for this Thursday am hoping that finally I may get some support

[Shalf]

Hi Sheree, there are also charity based help organisations who assist with benefits especially to do with social and health care. They know the procedures and as far as I am aware, they complete the forms on your behalf but you need to be there to sign etc. With four wee one's and an illness yourself, keep things easy on yourself. Let them help you. Best of luck X

[Shreeve1979 in reply to Shalf]

Thank you so much for your reply

[Shalf in reply to Shreeve1979]

Another option is to ask them to come to you. Home visits seem to have a higher success rate.

[BoneyC]

Surely you can claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits too?

[Hidden]

Oh lord...poor you! I can't imagine coping with ankle biters as well as PsA. Bad enough with a dog!

Yes I claim both esa and Pip. Still waiting to hear if they'll still give me PIP though. Just filled in forms again.

Fingers crossed you get everything you need. Have you spoken to health visitor? Maybe she'll be useful?

[Shreeve1979]

I haven’t spoken to spoken to health visitor, thanks for response

[dippyd09]

Hello, I would suggest you apply for both ESA and PIP. I personally found the website benefits and work extremely helpful with lots of very valuable advise. You have to be brutally honest about how your illness affects you and even then the outcome can be negative but sometimes they do get it right. It is very difficult to cope when you have young children, my boys were fairly young when I was diagnosed. You could also try to get advise exactly form CAB but they do have a fairly long waiting time. I wish you good luck and enjoy your children.