Does anyone claim benefits for nerve pain?

Hi there, still early days for me as its only been a couple of months... But I get pain down legs and rectal pain. I'm self employed but can't work at moment and if this pain is long term then I'm really worried about the future?

[Bananas5]

DWP rules for claiming benefits as self emmployed are differnt for those giving up paid employment.

I presume you have paid your Income Tax and National Insurance contribitions?

I am no good at links but if you look up on UK gov site ( google it) there will be info.

What typr of pain you have is of little interest to DWP. It whether your condition stops you doing any work which they are looking at. Do you have medical records of visits to your GP or referals to consutlants? All these will strengthen you case for a claim.

Claiming aby disability benefits of out of work ones now is a nightmare as they raise the bars ever high/

If you can't work get along to you JCP and speak with ad advisor, if you can, or CAB, welfare officer should help you.

Pat xgher.

[Hidden in reply to Bananas5]

Thanks, yes paid stamp... Not looking to claim yet but if still like this next year, don't think I will have a choice... Does anyone claim any benefits?

[Bananas5 in reply to Hidden]

Well I was on Incapacity Benefit then ESA support until I retired. Still on DLA until they grab me for PIP.

x

[Hidden]

Thanks pat, I had bowel surgery in dec 2015 and have been left in pain... I get pain in legs... I'm trying to stay positive about the future as I have improved greatly since the operation as I was in terrible chronic pain.. Now I get terrible pain after bowel movement... Also driving causes me pain.

[Clodagh99]

Diagnosed with pudendal neuralgia - claiming ESA since December 2015. I was instantly places in the support group so didn't have to undergo the invasive medical or anything like that yet.

[Hidden in reply to Clodagh99]

Thanks, still hoping I get better.. But good to know

[Hidden]

That's really good to know. It's a real worry to me that I won't be able to manage working in the long term. Because it is a condition that very few have heard of, and because I still have the mobility but it causes pain which nobody can 'measure' I imagined it would be very difficult to get ESA. Thanks for the info. Take care.

[Clodagh99 in reply to Hidden]

It's actually relatively easy to get ESA particularly if you have a string of complaints, multiple GP visits, etc. If you have a track record of medical issues leading up to it.... I've heard loads of horror stories about people being refused ESA ... but to be honest, I had no issues with the whole process... since it works off a points system. To be awarded employment and support allowance and placed in the work-related activity group, you need to show that you score at least 15 points in the limited capability for work assessment. If you google "employment support allowance points system" - you can go through it yourself and see how many of those ridiculous questions they ask you.

[Hidden]

Not sure about your country, but in US a potential applicant can Google topics pertinent to disability application and see examples of what documentation to have, how to state examples of your functional losses, details specific to claims based on chronic pain. Most applicants get an attorney AFTER he/she have been denied and then need a lengthy appeal. Makes sense to speak to an attorney specializing in disability BEFORE initial claim. In US also makes a difference how old you are, education, if you lack current job skills, etc. Good luck!