Dropping my working hours due to Ménière's disease. Am I entitled to any financial help?

Deekay

Recently diagnosed with Menieures after 7 years of hearing loss in right ear. I struggle daily with Tinnitus and vertigo and desperately trying to remain in education work . I am not sleeping well at all . I'm about to drop fro.a 5 day week to a 4 day week  to manage fatigue ..
 Will i get financial.disability help ? 

L_Volunteer

Hi @Deekay. A warm welcome to Scope's forum from me. Thank you for already finding the courage to reach out to us. I appreciate this is never easy especially as you are new and finding things tough.

Are you currently in the UK? If so, you might be able to get financial disability help (e.g., PIP) but this will depend on how your disability affects you and the evidence/decision of DWP. 

It is unlikely that you would receive LCWRA (or anything similar) because you will still be working (and showing the capacity to work). You have mentioned you are desperately trying to remain in education work. Would you like to tell us more about this?

Have you considered things like reasonable adjustments and Access to Work? I am asking because I can identify you wish to work but are finding this tough at the moment, especially with your health and not sleeping well at all.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you, even if that's just extending a listening ear 

Cher_Alumni

Hello @deekay and a warm welcome to our online community, how are you today?

I'm so sorry to hear that you're struggling with your Ménière's disease. Are you receiving support from a healthcare team with it? And also, are your employers able to implement any reasonable adjustments that will be able to make your working life that bit easier?

You might want to try a benefits calculator to see if you would be eligible for any financial help, based on your circumstances. Whilst, you can also speak with a welfare representative for free, whom you can find via the Advice Local - selecting Welfare benefits and entering your postcode, to scroll down the next page.

Just to let you know, I've amended the title of your thread and moved it to our Benefits and financial support category to help make it more visible to others.

Wishing you the very best. Take care and I look forward to speaking again soon.

Breacon

Hi Dekay,
Sorry to learn of your Meneirs disease, I just thought, that I would reach out, as I have a little understanding of your condition.
My Son was diagnosed with the same a few years ago, he receives medication now, & hasn't looked back since.
He was referred by his GP, prior to this, he was having awful attacks, & missed a lot of days from work, which was a great concern for him, but since the medication, he hasn't missed a day's work.
I hope this little information, may offer you some hope, good luck for your future....
Best wishes,
Ps you've come to the right place, for advice & support.

durhamjaide2001

I'm really sorry you have got this horrible disease and I hope you get back to your usual hours soon.