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Rheumatoid and benefits!!

Posted , 6 users are following.

linda17563
linda17563

Sorry if this is not the right place to post, but there has been helpful advice on here when I have posted for my sister with RA, She had lost two jobs last year after gradually getting worse with finally diagnosed RA....She is now being pestered to go to "work activity assessment" next week....which just dosen`t make any sense!... Why having just lost her jobs, have they immediately started this? she lives alone, and struggles to get out of bed in the mornings!  The stress fo this is making her worse.  She has appealed to be put in the"supoort group" but this could take months....I would welcome any advice from anyone who as experienced this....

She has tried different drugs MTX, bad reaction!  Now about to try Sulphalzaphine....fingers crossed she gets help with the pain...Thanks for any advice..sad

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • gail32047
    gail32047 linda17563

    Posted

    Yep, we have something similar in New Zealand. It used to be called the Invalids Benefit. Now its the Jobseekers Allowance!! Its political correctness, to tick the boxes;

    'We are discouraging these people from becoming benefit dependant' and 'Assisting them back into the work force.'

    Every few months I get another form filled in by my doctor stating that I'm still too sick to work. I've been doing this for 6 years. Think of it as a the 'job' you have to do to 'earn' your $. Don't ever expect it to make sense because it never will - its just  what officaldom does.

  • EileenH
    EileenH linda17563

    Posted

    The line is that the work assessment is to asses what someone with an illness is ABLE to do rather than what they CAN'T do. You may not be able to work as a cleaner which is very physical but you might be able to work as a call-handler (for example) where you are sitting most of the time. Gail's summing up is very good!

    I'd agree with mrsmop's suggestion of getting in touch with the charity or possibly the CAB (Citizens's Advice Bureau) because she needs help with completing forms and getting the right documentation together to support her case. Her doctors will probably also be involved - though nothing surprises me in the UK any more.

    • linda17563
      linda17563 EileenH

      Posted

      Thank you Eileen again, you are popping up everywhere with  valuable info....

      She has had help with the form filling, that has gone away to the relevant dept, and she has been told this could take several months....

      Her pain and stiffness varies from day to day, but is always in lots of pain, because of struggling to take meds....she can`t walk any distance, open anything....bend or sit for long because of severe stiffness/fatigue.....so she is very limited.....I will try to go with her to the "assessment" ......

      .We try to keep upbeat between us, what with me with Fibro/ PMR and her problems.....well.....Thanks again for all advice...

  • constance.de
    constance.de linda17563

    Posted

    The Citizens Advice Bureau deals with a lot of clients who need help with benefits.  They have up to date knowledge of all benefit schemes (and all those clients having difficulties with the DHS).
  • C2Anna
    C2Anna linda17563

    Posted

    I am not in your area, but if you make it clear you are not able to attend any type of work, due to daily pain, that is exasperated by a need for extensive amts of rest and exhaustion, pain and fatigue, up and down inconsistent days if suffering, and get your doctor to attest to this in the signature letter, you will have no problem.
    • linda17563
      linda17563 C2Anna

      Posted

      The man who rang my sister was having none of it when she said how bad she was!  They have all the info from the doctor`s about her...he wants his box ticked that`s for sure!  Thank you...
    • C2Anna
      C2Anna linda17563

      Posted

      Do not be pressured to accommodate his thwarted and innaccurate assumptions, or prejudices that he has no right to impose on your condition. Stick to what you know about this awful disease, and how each and every day is a struggle to get through, with continuous need for rest, chronic fatigue, and pain that takes away attention and ability to get from one activity to the next. It is your obligation and right to stand firm, and not be bullied by the person attempting to influence your personal report or application.
    • EileenH
      EileenH linda17563

      Posted

      C2Anna is absolutely right - they're there to beat down the non-genuine claimants at the expense of the real disabled. My daughter had a similar experience when claimng DLA for her 14 year old daughter and her severe and brittle asthma. He sneered at her on the phone "Why does a 14 year old need her mother to help her use an inhaler?"  Naomi wakes with an asthma attack and is confused due to shortage of oxygen. She also has a suitcase of meds that would grace an 80 year old! I know a well-educated healthcare professional who struggled with taking his medication when he had cancer - but in those days if you used the c-word you got top level disability and a blue badge (which actually was all we wanted). These are changed times - Naomi will lose £30 due to this gubmint's cuts for the disabled.

      Make sure your sister makes no attempt to "look good" or if she's having a good day don't admit it. It is supposed to be based on your BAD days when you are at your worst. And appeal, appeal, appeal.

    • linda17563
      linda17563 EileenH

      Posted

      Yes, yes, yes...we will...   I am going with her because my sister goes blank with worry...not me...remember Eileen I have a smiling assassin (rheumy) I deal with......I will take notes as well....

      I seethe when I hear about people like your grandaughter being treated like that....it`s a certain person.... IDS that wants the benefits bill cut....yes, at the expense of the genuine....so very unfair.....what puzzles me though is you would look at my sister and not employ her,, how disabled she is now, so why put her through a charade like that?  Both her last employers were sorry to see her go, and so was she.....life ehrolleyes  Thanks again, will post what happens, it may help someone else....

  • Shelly_Welly
    Shelly_Welly linda17563

    Posted

    Hi Linda 

    ​I would make sure you ask what qualifications the person asking the questions has. I have been told some have no clinical background or understanding of debilitadating dieases. A tick box questionaire is designed for stopping claimants and saving money.

    ​Make sure she is see at her worst no matter how cruel it may seem at the time.

    • linda17563
      linda17563 Shelly_Welly

      Posted

       Hi,  I went with my sister and the benefits (very nice ) lady said, I don`t think you should be here, but it`s not my job to decide that.  She then went on to say, when I press this key, everything swings into action....which it has!  She has to go next week for half an hour at first to fill in a  CV, she is in so much pain this is really worrying her.  She has applied to go into  the "support group" but has been told the decision could take months, and she must do as requested, or her benefit will be reduced and then stopped.  She has only been claiming for 5 months...and her RA is getting worse.  Only hope is the Sulphalazine will help!  This is pressure she could do without, especially living on her own.....any suggestions of experience with this would be helpful...thank you. sad
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