Advice needed.

[Donnahermon]

Hi , I was born 6 weeks early with a birth defect ( Oesophageal atresia with trachea fistula). Grew up with many bad chest infections. Also had a disc removal in my spine about 10years ago leaving me with nerve damage. And not 100% feeling in my right leg . Which has led to an incline in my mobility tolerance. But have managed to maintain a full time job in a cafe environment. Up to date I was diagnosed with borderline stage 2 copd ( emphysema/ chronic bronchitis) due to recurrent chest infections/ wheezing and generally struggling to walk far and struggling to complete my shifts . And alot of time off due to sickness. I also have the added bonus off having a foot problem aka corns and callouses that I've been fighting to get rid of which isn't working but apparently theyres not a podiatrist on the nhs for me to be referred to so I need to pay to see one which on my earnings I just can't afford to pay for as I have to pay for medication bills and to commute to and from work. Of which my employer has given me less hours due to my health and having alot if time off due to sickness. I'm also having 2 separate medications for hypertension. I know it sounds like I'm just venting but I'm actually frustrated because of all these things and not knowing where to turn to on getting help .

[sassy59]

Welcome Donna, if you are in the U.K. you can ring the BLF helpline on 03000 030 555 during office hours. They will be able to offer advice to you. I wish you well. Xxxxx

[Donnahermon in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou sassy I've taken your advice and called the number you gave and awaiting they're call back. Xx

[Hidden]

There are many ways you might be able to get more help. Have a look at the Gov.UK site.

For example if you are working 30 hours a week you might be able to claim tax credits. If you are on a low income you might be able to claim a reduction in your council tax or housing benefit if you rent.

You might also be able to claim PIp. Also if you have to pay for a lot of meds you can get a yearly certificate which costs just over £100 or even a 6 monthly one.

As sassy says you can ring up the BLF helpline as there are benefits advisors on there as well as nurses. Good luck.

[Donnahermon in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou so much for the info .I've just given blf a call and awaiting calls back . To be honest the gov sites to do with benefits are such a minefield with so many different situations it's really too much for me to wrap my head round by myself so am going for trying to get help on what I can and can't go for . I've had such a nightmare time in the past with housing benefits messing with my financial affairs and almost lost my home because of them that I decided to take more hours in my job to pay my own rent instead of relying on them for them to mess it up . So now I'm in a situation that my employer has cut my hours due to me getting sick more by doing the extra hours .which is frustrating me more because I can't afford to do that realistically speaking . So any help is better than struggling the way I'm having to .

[y_not]

Hi Donnahermon,

Well done for holding down employment - many find it too hard to do!

The benefits system is a minefield and, if you ever manage to get your head around it, you'll probably give the wrong answers to the questions so, my suggestion would be to contact CAB welfare advice or search "welfare rights" [and your area] on Google - this will give local welfare rights organisations who will help you (free of charge) to work out what you're entitled to and support you in making the applications.

When a welfare rights advisor asked me "How far can you walk?" I replied "As far as you need me to walk" ... he took me to the end of the driveway before explaining that I had failed to mention how long it took or the fact that I was literally dripping sweat from the pain ... his question matched the question asked in the benefit claim form (they just don't mention "at a reasonable pace and without severe discomfort".

Benefits Advisors will often come to you, cost nothing, are a wealth of information and they know the rules and options far better that us mere mortals! Why not use them?

Many benefits are available to working people, lots are not means tested and talking to the advisor can't do any harm ... got to be worth a try!

Good luck and keep well

[Donnahermon in reply to y_not]

Thankyou for replying I will look that up and I've spoken with blf they're benefits adviser is going to call me thus week also . As for holding employment goes it's becoming more of a struggle but for me . That's what keeps me going is trying not to give in to it for as long as I can tolerate it. as I know there is going to be a time when I too will not be able to be as active as I am right now. I'm stage 2 copd ( emphysema/ chronic bronchitis). And every day for me takes it out on me mentally and physically and after a 7.5 hour shift I can feel my legs don't want to carry my weight any longer and have to use whatever energy I can muster to get to a bus stop which for anyone else would take 5 minutes for me having to sit down on nearest bench for 20 minutes just to gather more energy and get my breathe back to get me there all adds up on the time factor. But I know there is millions of other people who are worse than I am and can't manage to do what I'm doing and I also know that one day I'm going to be one of them . But at the moment I'm stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea as I can't afford to give up work but I know doing too much is making me ill .

[Hidden in reply to Donnahermon]

It may be worth checking out form HC1, you may be entitled to an HC2 which gets you free meds, teeth (& eyes?) or an HC3 which gets you a reduction. This is based on earnings and what you need for living expenses. Assume BLF will have details but ask if they don't mention it.

[Donnahermon in reply to Hidden]

OK Thankyou I will make a note of that for when they call me .