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Hi, I was hoping for some help about what we can claim.

sheilaBright

My husband has been diagnosed with Fibrosis of the Lung and becomes very breathless with even the slightest incline or steps. He will be 65 in a couple of weeks so I don't think we can apply for a PIP. I think there must be some other help out there. What we need more than anything is to be able to access the Motorbility scheme in order to continue to see family and friends. However, it seems that eligibility is determined by what benefit you can claim. I am completely lost and would really appreciate some guidance. Many thanks Sheila

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Alex_Alumni

Hello @sheilaBright I can completely appreciate how confusing this can be, so well done for reaching out here and joining the community.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit you can claim if you are over state pension age, but unfortunately it doesn't entitle you to use the Motability scheme. You can check your eligibility for the scheme here. You might like to also read about charitable grants available.

A very useful tool you can use is the Benefits Calculator from Turn2Us, which I hope helps as well.

To help our members find your post, I've just moved it over into our Benefits and financial support category. If I can help with anything further please do let me know, don't hesitate to ask

Alex

poppy123456

Hi,

As your husband is under state pension age (66) then he will be able to start a claim for PIP. See link.

https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

Whether he will qualify will totally depend on how his conditions affect him in relation to the 12 PIP activities. For the mobility part "moving around" hills and steps/stairs are not considered. What counts is flat ground outside.

This link may help you have some understanding https://pipinfo.net/

You may also want to get some expert advice before starting the claim to check that he can score enough points for an award. Start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

sheilaBright

Thank you very much.

calcotti

Aside from possibly claiming PIP are you claiming any other benefits and is or has your husband been employed in the last few years?

sheilaBright

We are not claiming anything at all and no he hasn't worked in the last year. He was only diagnosed in the summer and I think we are still in shock. His disease is progressive and he has between 3 and 5 years to live. His lung illness will get worse and worse until it kills him, but for now he can still walk on the flat so doesn't seem to qualify for anything.

calcotti

If his NI record is complete for tax years 2019-20 and 2020-21then he can apply for new style ESA. It is not means tested. He will need a Fit Note from his GP in order to claim. It can be backdated for up to three months (if the GP will backdate the Fit another). If he was getting SSP from his employer the ESA cannot be backdated to before the SSP ended.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance

Depending on your joint circumstances you may be able to claim Universal Credit. A benefits calculator will help you check entitlement.
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

poppy123456

sheilaBright said:

but for now he can still walk on the flat so doesn't seem to qualify for anything.

That doesn't mean he's not entitled to PIP. There are 10 daily living activities ranging from dressing/undressing, washing/bathing, preparing a meal etc. With the mobility part "moving around" it will depend on how far he can walk and can he do that regularly, reliably and to a reasonable standard? Have you had a look at the link i posted above? Having some understanding of the descriptors always helps.

sheilaBright

Thank you very much for the help.

calcotti

This is also a useful summary of the descriptors and the reliably test for PIP.
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system
If he experiences breathlessness from standing for too long or if he is ok in the morning but gets very breathless by the end of the day this is likely to affect his ability to do tasks to the required standard. Bear in mind too that hat that extra is about the difficulties he has on the majority of days.

sheilaBright

Again, thank you for your help/support. We have felt very alone and lost since the devastating diagnosis. Covid has prevented us from being able to access information or support from the hospital, leaving us adrift in a sea of incomprehensible google searches and terrifying prognosis's.

Alex_Alumni

I'm glad we're able to help out then @sheilaBright as time has gone on it's been pretty clear that the impact of the pandemic is really wide reaching.

Do keep us updated with how you're getting on, and if any snags come up just shout