IBS & government benefits (UK) - Are we entitled to anything?

[Briggsy0304]

Hi Everyone,

At the moment I'm off work sick & finding it hard to return. I've been on & off work for most of my life with IBS. I'm starting to wonder if I'm entitled to any help from the government in the UK.

Now, I don't want to claim anything. I'd rather work but I'm really struggling & having IBS is not just physically & mentally hard to manage, but also very hard on finances.

I'm currently looking into Personal Independent Payment (PIP). It's very unlikely I'll get it, but I'm hopeful that with my limitations & length of time I've been sick, I may get some help.

Does anyone claim any kind of sickness or disability?

[FRreedman]

If you are off sick from work, and are not receiving sick pay, then have a look at ESA benefits. The Benefits and Work website is really good, by allowing you to work out what the DWP is likely to award, both on ESA and PIP. I would strongly suggest you do a dummy run on their website and then you will know the likelihood of you claiming. Regardless of the result on the B and W website, I would also suggest you get someone from the CAB or similar organisation to assist you with filling in the forms, because the way you word your answers can make a big difference to any award you may get. Finally good luck and keep us posted, or if you have any further queries please submit them on this page.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to FRreedman]

This is amazing advice. Thank you so much!

[Skatty1 in reply to Briggsy0304]

Also fill form out as if it is a very bad day, they want to know what you cant do not what you can. its a points system. good luck

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Skatty1]

Agreed. Reference your worst possible issues and symptoms and repeat repeat repeat.

[Emsky]

Worth putting in a claim for pip anyway and I think universal credit can top up your sick pay too, I'm currently off too with gastro issues even lost my job, and trying to get benefits has been the biggest nightmare ever! I've applied for pip but it can be a 14 week wait

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Emsky]

I applied for PIP a few years ago and got 0 points. Trying again now, going to write them an essay as opposed to last time when it was brief.

Supposedly you have a better chance of you appeal, which I didn't do last time.

[Emsky in reply to Briggsy0304]

Well I also have other health issues, you're better going to a place called advice works I don't know where you live but in Scotland we have it you drop in and they can help fill the form out they deliberately make it really hard, you have to get 8 points to get low rate and 12 to get high rate

[Fedup25 in reply to Briggsy0304]

It's worth appealing there is a 75 percent success rate at PIP appeals. A lot of the initial decisions are wrong. Its important to take it all the way to tribunal

Get help from an advice agency if possible. If you've recently worked you might be entitled to new style ESA. The form can be printed off on line. You might also get a top up of universal credit. This is claimed online. Again, appeal the ESA decision if the DWP decide you are fit for work on assessment. Does your employer know you have a disability? You might have some additional employment protection under the Equality Act. This would include making reasonable adjustments etc A trade union might help you enforce these rights.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Fedup25]

Thank you. I've looked into ESA & think I will apply for this also

My employer does know about my disability. They are actually very relaxed about things, have been paying me while I've been off sick & haven't really contacted me at all. I just need a plan as I'll be on SSP soon as opposed to full pay.

I'm hoping to find a way to return to work, however working with CBT I know though that my IBS & my job are completely incompatible. I struggle with about 95% of the requirements. I'm hopeful they can find something else for me to do, but it's a small company & a most of the jobs require quite a fair bit of physical work.

[Fedup25 in reply to Briggsy0304]

Good luck. The ESA won't be payable until your SSP is exhausted. If your employer stops paying you sick pay you might get a universal credit top up whilst your on SSP. Cheers its a nightmare isn't it?

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Fedup25]

It is a nightmare. As I'm off work, I have converted my property to a rental property as I wouldn't be able to cover my mortgage & have moved back in with my parents. Unfortunately I think the income from the rental may affect any additional pay.

Just another thing I have to add to the equation!

[Robinson32]

This post really caught my attention as it's a question that I've asked myself for years always giving myself a negative answer due to the lack of real understanding I feel there is towards people with ibs. I've been out of work for 4 years now and my ibs has absolutely ruined my life. I've been claiming universal credit (the sickness side of it) but due to my OCD rather than my ibs. I know if I say well I have ibs so I'm unable to work I'll be ignored. My OCD is disruptive to my life of course but I was able to hold down a job for 10 years from the age of 20-30 (now 34). It was when my ibs started that I couldn't cope anymore, that has been the real killer for me. I hate my OCD but I thank it in this case as I feel having another condition with ibs has allowed me to claim government support. I feel for you as it's about time society treated ibs as a serious condition (okay it is not life threatening physically) but mentally it is hell also and it destroys people's lives. What is this PIP you speak of?

[Rosepetal60 in reply to Robinson32]

Personal Independence Payment

Much research needed before you fill in the form

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Robinson32]

Thanks Robinson32,

I've managed to work for 12 years with IBS, I'm not quite sure how. I really can't do it any more. I will keep my eye out for universal credit. I'm still currently being paid by my employer, but my pay will run out soon & I'll be on SSP. I need a plan once SSP expires so I'll look into universal credit.

PIP is a benefit for people who have a condition, illness, sickness or disability which prevents them from being able to complete routine & daily tasks. They break it down into 12 sections & ask things about eating & drinking, moving around, getting dressed & all those kind of things. It's a points based system & if you get enough points, you get benefits in terms of payments. Anyone can apply. PIP stands for Personal Independent Payment.

[Robinson32]

Ahhh right I see, thanks for the information. That's how I feel when it comes to working now, I just know I won't be able to manage it with the ibs and I'll end up going off sick and leaving. It's a depressing thought at the age of 34 but I won't put myself through it after the experiences I had with my symptoms at my last job. It's existing rather than living. The universal credit health assessment is along the same lines as the PIP one by the sounds of it in terms of a points based system focusing on everyday tasks. Good luck buddy.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Robinson32]

I know what you mean with working. I got IBS when I was 17 and have carried on for a while but can't any longer. I'm still in my 20s & back living at my parents. Feeling a bit lost and scared, a long road ahead.

I'm told the IBS network can offer some help regarding work so I've got in contact with them. Hopefully they can help

[Robinson32]

Oh God you are younger than me then! I live with parents too at the age of 34!!!! It's not fair. Keep me posted on how your claim goes as I'm very interested to see whether a claim for support solely due to ibs is handled seriously.

[Briggsy0304 in reply to Robinson32]

It's not easy is it. Are you trying anything to try & help your IBS while your off work? I'm putting all of my effort into a functional medicine approach.

I'll keep you update on the PIP, but you have to wait 16 weeks after the letter has been posted, so I probably won't hear until February 2020!

[Robinson32]

Over the past 7 years roughly from when I first got symptoms I've had several blood tests done, tried numerous medications and foods. Anything I've tried has had no impact unfortunately. Often I can eat the same foods as I did the day before, which gave me digestive problems, and be pretty much fine, there is no pattern to my ibs whatsoever. Because of this I don't think certain foods trigger my symptoms. I then thought maybe it's due to stress and anxiety with my OCD but I've had my OCD since my teens so why didn't I have stomach problems then! My anxiety levels are pretty bad every day so why then are some days okay and others not so, surely it would be pain and discomfort every day. I've racked my brain over the years to try and explain why my stomach is the way it is and for some time now have just accepted that there is no real reason, it's just ibs not linked to other factors in my life. I've considered asking my doctor for a colonoscopy referral or some other type of hospital tests just to feel as though I'm trying something because otherwise it's a dark dark hole for the rest of my life. Sorry I sound really depressing when I read this back lol.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

More information on IBS and work is available here theibsnetwork.org/ibs-and-w...

[Purplewoman]

this is a really old thread ! But wondered how any of you got on ? X