Is Hashimoto's a recognised disability?

[Zephyrbear]

I read some time ago here that Hashimoto's Thyroiditis qualified as a disability due to the fact that it is an autoimmune disease. Is this still the case and, if so, how do we go about getting it recognised in order to be able to claim help in terms of benefits?

[Clutter]

Zephyrbear,

As far as I'm aware a diagnosis of Hashimoto's doesn't qualify as a disability but the degree of disability you experience due to an illness may entitle you to benefits.  If you are too unwell to work you may be entitled to Employment Support Allowance which is means tested.  If you are unable to manage day to day living without support and have mobility issues you may be entitled to Personal Independence Payment.

[SilverAvocado]

I had a friend whose workplace just said they considered him disabled in terms of employment rights. He has congenital hypothyroid. I'm not sure whether that was so much about diagnosis as about capabilities - he's struggled with work over the past few years. 

So it seems like a pretty fuzzy category, you can be considered disabled for one setting and not for others.