I have psoriatic arthritis. I have 2 jobs, but things are worsening. I'm considering other options

fayfay
fayfay Community member Posts: 2 Listener
edited December 2021 in Benefits and income
Hi, this is the first time I’ve done this. I’ve got psoriatic arthritis and I’ve managed for many years without medication apart from naproxen on a bad day. I tried methotrexate but i reacted badly. Rheum. Doc suggested anti tnf, but then Covid hit so nothing. I have 2 non demanding part time jobs, so I’m able to pay my bills, but as things are getting worse with my hands shoulders and wrists, I’m considering other possibilities. As I don’t know how much longer I can keep it up. I’m 56 . Any thoughts would be welcome...

Comments

  • Reg
    Reg Community member Posts: 109 Empowering
    Hello @fayfay

    Welcome to the community .

    I am sorry to hear that you are struggling with your arthritis. 

    I know it is a struggle to juggle work and health as I work part time writing but there are some days where I can't work at all as I only have the one properly working finger.

    I wish I had the answer for you but I just thought I would say hello and commiserate .

    If you need benefit help there are some forum contributors who have vast experience of all benefits related matters. Another option would be to ask for reasonable adjustments at work to make juggling the job a bit easier. There is some great advice about that on the forum as well. 

    Take care 
  • fayfay
    fayfay Community member Posts: 2 Listener
    Thanks so much for all your kind words and encouragement! I’m not on any benefits, but I’m getting Carers allowance for looking after my mum with dementia.....my dad also needs help so he pays me to do things for him, which is mainly a bit of shopping and cooking , babysitting mum so he can go out. I also teach a 2 hour art class most weeks. My Hubbie is on a low income as he has a small business but he does a lot to help me in the house too. So I don’t feel things are too bad compared to some people , but looking forward , teaching the art class is something I might need to drop as it’s fairly physical and involves using my hands a lot...so frustrating. Hope you are all ok and keeping warm xx
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 61,418 Championing
    For benefits, you can use a calculator to check entitlement to Universal Credit. As you live with a partner you will need to claim as a couple so you will need to put both of your details into the calculator. If your health condition limits your ability to work and you're earning less than 16xNMW per week then you will be able to report your health condition and send in fit notes from your GP to start the work capability assessment process off. If you're earning more than this yourself then you will need to be receiving either PIP or DLA to be referred for the work capability assessment.
    If your partner is self employed then he will be need to report earnings and expenses onto his journal at the end of each assessment period.
    As you're claiming Carers Allowance this will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. If you report being a carer then you will be entitled to the carers element as well.
    You can also look at claiming PIP for yourself, if you don't already claim this or DLA. It's not awarded based on any diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors. https://pipinfo.net/


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