Should I apply for benefits?

shazzy93

Newbie here. 
After a long battle of 9 years I finally saw a rheumatologist who told me I have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and moderate osteoarthritis. I’m now awaiting a referral to pain management. 
My question is that I just cannot hold down a job because of the severe pain and fatigue and dizziness I have every day but I have battled on without claiming any kind of benefits. Do you think I should try for PIP/(and/or) ESA?  I can manage just about 3 hrs sat at a desk doing admin work but even after that I’m completely wiped for the rest of the day and evening. 
I guess I’m scared that I will be ridiculed and denied any benefits because I look ok but you can’t show how crippling every day to day is. 
Advice would be gratefully received. 
Thanks in advance 
Shaz. ?

thespiceman

Hello @shazzy93 Pleased to meet you welcome.

Thank you for joining and sharing.

I am one of the team of community champions who guide, inform. Help and advise new members who join.

Please have a look at our on line benefit checker. This will give you some idea of what your entitled to.

You can also find out more information about benefits on our website.

Please may I suggest you speak to your local CAB for further information and advice for form filling in.

They have expertise and knowledge in benefits. 

Understand your situation you have come to the right place for support.  You are not alone.

Please ask if we can advise on anything. Some one will know from our community or a member of a team.

We are friendly. Supportive, care and share.

Pleasure to meet you.

Take care.

@thespiceman

jamesak62

I is always worth applying for pips wit your medical history,the best advice i could  give is apply,and take form to citizen advice and talk to an adviser who knows how to fill in the form. My wife and i discovered its not what you write ,it's how you write it. Collect as much medical reports etc as you can to send with forms.Good luck

Ami2301

Hi @shazzy93 welcome to the community! 

You have been given some great advice and links from the above posts, let us know if you need any further help

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

Welcome it’s great to meet you today ??

I am one off the “Community Champion’s.

We are all here to “help & assist”
any new & existing members.

Yes I have got “chronic pain” I have already been through the same things over the past few years.

I would be more than happy ? in helping/supporting you if required ????

shazzy93

Hi Steve, 
thank you so much!! I gratefully would take you up on your offer to help me. 
Shaz. ?

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

No probs!!!!!!

Where shall we start???

@steve51

shazzy93

I don’t know really - what do you suggest? 

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

I suggest that we start with filling in our “Benefit Calculater”

This will give us a good idea about what you can apply for!!!!!

Just a small note but I have already been through “Pain Clinics” on my long journey but we can tackle that one latter if you would like??

@steve51

shazzy93

Brill Steve. I really appreciate your time. 
Do we go to private messenging or? 
I did the turn2us benefits calculator and it said I wasn’t entitled to anything ? I guess that’s it then? 

chockies

Hi @shazzy93 ??

Wishing you all the best with your claim and as others say, it’s a good idea to get the help of citizens advice for your form filling in.

Chockies

shazzy93

Cheers Chockies ?

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

Yes we will need to go to our own walls to start that side off messaging.

Don’t worry though!!!!!!

No don’t worry we can go through it together so it won’t be the end.

“Hopefully it will be the beginning”

shazzy93

I do hope so ???

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

We will do our best!!!!!

@steve51

shazzy93

How do I pm you? 

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

Sorry but what do I do??

shazzy93

Sorry Steve - I meant how do we send private messages to each other? 

steve51

Hi @shazzy93

Sorry I wasn’t sure but I am back on track now

This is how to enter your home page & how we communicate.

1. Click your highlighted username above my last message.
2. On your wall you will find an empty box just below (Activity)
3. Put your message within this box.
4. Press “Share” & you will see this below.
 5. This will let you know straightaway.
6. I will have notification on the left hand side.

Please please let me know if if you have any problems??????

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @shazzy93, and a warm welcome to the community!

Glad to see you've had some guidance from our community members. This PIP online self-test may also give an indication of your entitlement, and you can begin your PIP claim here. Do keep us updated!

poppy123456

Hi,

Claiming PIP isn't about a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activities based on the PIP descriptors. Evidence will be needed to support a claim because they rarely contact anyone for this.

A face to face assessment will most likely be needed so expect that. It's very rare to have a paper based assessment.

For any other benefits it totally depends on your circumstances and with very little information it's impossible to advice. If you have worked in the previous 2 years you won't be able to claim Income Related ESA because all areas are now a full universal credit area. Claiming UC will depend on your circumstances.... household income/savings/capital, partner working.

If you've worked and paid enough NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years then you maybe able to claim New style Contributions based ESA.

Using a benefits calculator isn't going to help you here because it won't give you that sort of information. You really do need to get face to face advice and get a full benefits check from your local CAB.