Medical retirement

denny1407

Hi, I am a 45 yr man with heart failure, I saw work occupational health last week and they recommended that I medically retired, I don't feel I am ready for this so they have passed me on to the occupational physican to see what they say.my question is can they force me to retire and what benefits would I be entitled to. I have applied for pip in the past and been refused it, occupational health have said that I would automatically be awarded this but I'm not sure.so if anybody out there can help 

CockneyRebel

Hi denny and welcome

There is no automatic qualification for PIP. PIP is an assessment of your functionality in a number of everyday activities. To qualify you must meet the criteria for the descriptors that apply to you

Roddy

As your medical conditions have changed, then so too is your possible entitlement to PIP and ESA despite your age. The rules of entitlement however have also changed. You will be required to be assessed by the DWP at a face-to-face meeting for both Benefit Claims, and I would advise you to take somebody with you and as much details as possible to assist with your claim. EVERYTHING that you say and do at the assessment will be considered, even if you do something there that you may not be capable of doing 24/7... The interview room for example, will be at least 20 meters away from the waiting room and you will be observed all of the time. 

By being capable of work, to the DWP assessor, means exactly that. If you are able to sit then you are capable of a desk job. If you are capable of walking, climbing stairs, using public transport or can drive, then you are capable of working in their view. If you only tire in the evenings, or at other certain times of a day, then you are capable of working on those times that you are not... It really is as stark as that, and being incontinent is also considered as acceptable in the workplace for certain jobs. It doesn't matter if you're no longer capable of doing the same job as you have always done. That will not be considered. 

Of course,  nobody is suggesting that all disabled people are work-shy and enjoy the benefits of DWP payments. On the contrary, but if you are dependable on benefits then it is vital that "YOU" do everything at your disposal to ensure  that you can produce, provide and back-up every last thing that you claim. 

It is particularly useful for ANYBODY to start keeping a Daily Diary of your 24/7 needs, requirements and the levels of support that you have had to rely on etc. Sign, date and time each entry you make in your Diary and of course don't exaggerate. State as it is. Armed with this 'evidence' at time of assessment and/or claiming will stand you in good favour. Accurately document everything and over a period of at least 2 weeks at the very minimum. 

Hope this helps...

Richard_Scope

Hi @denny1407
Here is a handy Benefits Calculator. This will indicate that you may be entitled to.

KG100

I also had to retire with heart failure, I was a bit younger then 45.
Before I retired I was told that they had to try and give me an alternative job if possible, one that was more suited to my health problems.
If they refused then I could have appealed against being retired.
As my heart was quite bad then I decided just to retire.
I claimed for the old IB and DLA then, but it wasn't all automatic. 

KG100

I also had a lot of help from my trade union rep and welfare officer, they stood up for me and explained things that the management wouldn't.
It's important you take someone with you to any retirement meetings, management try to get the best deal for the company !!

denny1407

Thanks for everyone's help, it's made things clearer, hopefully it won't come to early retirement or I can hold on for another few years .