Benefits

[Toffeeboyblue]

Has anyone claimed benefits as a result of not being able to work due to PMR? I am considering it as I have not worked for 10 months because of PMR. I am not an advocate of people claiming when it’s not justified and I’m not sure if I will qualify. I have paid my NI contributions for 39 years.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This link contains a post from 3 years ago on the subject - so it may not be totally up to date - but still worth looking at-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

… but would suggest you also look at CAB site for up to date info -

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

PIP -

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

latest info from HMG on ESA -

gov.uk/guidance/new-style-e...

There may also be some related posts

[Sharitone]

Looks like DL has done a proper job! But make sure too that you have had everyting owing from your current/last employer.

These might be of help:

citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

citizensadvice.org.uk/work/...

This is for working out whether you will be eligible for PIP:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/citizensadvice.org.uk/Globa...

and this is for help with applying:

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

There are similar help pages for ESA/UC on the same site.

[Hulotsholiday]

This is an independent organisation which provides advice on all aspects of benefits

benefitsandwork.co.uk

For PIP, you have to show how the condition affects your ability to do things like walking, dressing, washing yourself, preparing food etc. The guides the organisation has prepared detail how to answer these questions in order to maximise your chance of scoring enough points for an award.

[Koalajane]

I only ever worked part time and had 6 months off while PMR was being diagnosed and pred starting to work. During this time I received sick pay. I have retired now so could not get it.

Good luck

[Paininthenck]

I am in receipt of contribution based ESA. This is usually only awarded for a year but if you are in the higher tier, they call it the support group, it’s not time limited it just carries in. am also in receipt of PIP at full rate, I do have other health issues beyond PMR, fibromyalgia, severe osteoarthritis, GCA, spinal stenosis. The key is it’s not the illness as such, but how it affects you. You need to state how you are on your worst days , if you can’t get out of bed or can barely walk you need to make sure you clearly state that.

You have nothing to loose by trying and potentially a lot to gain. There is really good information on the Benefits and Work website, with examples etc. which you can access by paying a small subscription which is well worth it. Hope it works out for you 😊

[S4ndy]

I am unable to work due to PMR and several other medical conditions. I had to stop working in 2016. I was self employed. I claimed ESA due to my national insurance contributions. I was getting that and PIP up until my hubby died in 2022. I now get a combination of ESA, Universal Credit and PIP.

I found the best help claiming and knowing your entitlement was the local Age UK. Then later the CAB helped when my hubby passed. I've also found Benefits and Work to be a very helpful site for completing all the forms.

What I will say is that I found the whole process to be very stressful and often demeaning. At one point I had to have several medical assessments and it seemed such a long drawn out process designed to make you give up!

I didn't give up as I had no other income and like you I had paid my National Insurance for 45 years. I had thought I would retire at 60 with a state pension but then that all changed and so still waiting as 66 now.

You are entitled to benefits as you have worked and paid into the pot. I would be a danger to myself and others at work so I don't have a choice.

There's a free and accurate benefit checker available on the Turn2us website which might help you decide what to go for. The CAB use it too so it's a good place to start.

Good luck x

[Griggser]

I retired on ill health ground aged 58. My rheumatologist supported this by writing a report stating I wasn’t fit for work. This was also supported by the company appointed doctor. I had been on reduced hours for a while but had to go off sick as I wasn’t capable of doing my job. By getting ill health retirement I didn’t get so penalised by retiring early. It was a lengthy process but luckily my company supported me, I had work for them for 42 years. Good luck with it.

[Kendrew]

Hi there,

Lots of good advice already offered.

Just to add that after I'd claimed statutory sick pay for the full amount of allowed time, I then claimed ESA.

I'd attempted to return to work three times without success and although unlike S4ndy, I thankfully didn't find the process too stressful, I was indeed required to undergo several independent medicals and several interviews with HR and OH but I felt that was fair & reasonable.

I initially felt a little uncomfortable about claiming ESA, but then I came to realise that all of my working life, I'd payed into a system that was there to support people like myself at a time when some financial assistance was required.