Is there any financial help from the state for people who have pmr.

[Annodomini]

PMR in itself wouldn't be grounds for financial help. Disability Living Allowance is available if you are under 65, according to the extent and duration of your disability. This has two components, care and mobility. To receive the care component, you would need to be so disabled that you need 24 hour help; mobility allowance depends on your ability to walk a certain distance in a certain time with or without a walking aid. If you are over 65, Attendance Allowance is available if you cannot cope on your own. There is no mobility component in AA which I consider disgraceful. If you are unemployed by reason of your PMR, you may already be receiving Employment and Support Allowance. I recommend you to visit your nearest Citizens' Advice Bureau. And have a look at adviceguide.org.uk for info on benefits.

[meggies]

Hi Pats & Annodomini,

Not quite right Annodomini regarding Disability Living Allowance; there are 3 different rates for the care component. To receive the highest care component, you would require 24 hour care including someone to watch over you at night. It is fairly difficult to get high care for any condition. This is not the case for low & middle rates. For example, if it is difficult for you to prepare a meal, because you can't lift heavy pans, use knives etc, then this would be one of the eligibility criteria for low care. It is important to remember that just because you don't do something normally e.g. your partner normally cooks, could you actually do it if partner didn't do it? Other important ones are if you need help with bathing/showering, dressing/undressing.

There are 2 rates of mobility (and if you get higher mobility, there is the option of the car instead of the mobility component).

The DLA & AA forms are a nightmare. Always get advice filling it in - Citizens Advice and there are a lot of voluntary organisations that can help people with forms. I don't know whether Age Concern, Athritis charity (cant remember the name) have staff that can help.

DLA is not an easy benefit to get and is getting more difficult. It is due to be replaced in 2014 (I think) by Personal Independence Payment. It is not a means tested benefit & is not taxable. You are able to work if you get DLA too. It is about your 'care & mobility needs' not your ability to work. Maybe unlikely with PMR, but say you are visually impaired - that creates 'care needs', but you may still be able to work.

Hope this makes sense!

[Annodomini]

I stand corrected. Probably wasn't fully awake when I wrote my reply!

The CAB web site puts it all concisely;

adviceguide.org.uk/england/...

And I believe that Age UK does have advisors who will help with the forms, as, of course does CAB.

Age UK advice line: 0800 169 6565

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

Hi. We do know of a handful of people who were successful in getting DLA for PMR, but we also think that they were put under quite a lot of pressure to come off it and get back into the workplace. Attendance allowance may be a possibility for people who are older (i.e. in their 80s) and may have other illnesses as well as PMR. However, as you say, the forms are a nightmare and you definitely need help from somebody with experience. It might also be a bit of a postcode lottery. If you are in employment when you get PMR, or GCA, and work for an organisation that has an occupational health department, do go to them for impartial advice. They may be able to help you adjust your working hours, get 'walking around' breaks, etc. But our experience is that in general, employers are almost totally ignorant about PMR and GCA. It's up to us to raise awareness!

[meggies]

Sorry Kate, don't want to sound pedantic, but DLA is not 'work related', it's about your care & mobility needs. You can work & claim DLA. If you are entitled to working tax credit, you tax credit is increased substantially if you are in receipt of DLA. It would be questioned if you received DLA because you had a bad back and were working as a brick layer. But if you were visually impaired or had epilepsy, for example, you may have care and/or mobility needs but may be able to work. Hope that makes sense.

Not 'nit picking', but may be useful to know, that being in receipt of DLA means you need only work 16 hours per week instead of the usual 30 hours to claim Working Tax credit. For some people, working full time may be too much, but 16 hours may be ok.

Attendance Allowance is for over 65 & there is no mobility component (crazy or what - thats when most likely to be 'mobility needs').

Margaret

[Hidden]

I just received my letter regarding my award today and my DLA is lower rate. I do have other health problems though so it may depend on overall needs and not just PMR. However, only by applying will you know and do not overlook any health issues no matter how small they may appear to you and get your GP's backing, his input was mentioned in my award letter. Good luck!

[blackbirdy in reply to Hidden]

I have degeneration of the spine as well as PMR. I also have an underactive thyroid. I have been awarded DLA higher rate and have the lower rate.for care People with PMR have different levels of pain and mobility.The form is a nightmare to fill in butyou can get help to do it

lesley

[ritter]

thanks for advice every one.ritter