Hi, my name is Nick1771! I've now gone down to 24hrs a week

Nick1771
Nick1771 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
edited October 2023 in Benefits and income
Over the years I've developed arthritis in my neck, shoulder and am using continuous pain treatment to manage this. Because of it I've now gone down to 24hrs a week and am perminatley on light duties. But even that is hard to do. Can I claim anything, because I am losing out on 2 days wages, because this condition is affecting my lifestyle and what I can earn. Really hope someone has some advice. Thanks again🙂

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    For means tested benefits there’s only Universal Credit. Whether there’s any entitlement will depend on your circumstances. If you live with a partner you need to claim as a couple and your joint circumstances will be taken into consideration. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you’re excluded from claiming. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=1c8f63f6-2c06-41da-869a-1718d9dc98d6

    Unless you’re living in Scotland there’s also PIP. It’s a disability benefit which isn’t means tested. It’s not awarded based on any diagnosis. Whether there’s any entitlement will depend on exactly how your conditions affect you. Please see links. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,797 Championing
    edited October 2023
    Hi @Nick1771 - & welcome to the community. Have you asked your GP for a referral to physiotherapy to see if that might help? I'm unsure what you mean by continuous pain treatment, but perhaps that includes medication. Have you been referred to a musculoskeletal pain clinic?
    In the meanwhile, you might find something you're interested in trying on this thread about chronic pain: https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/102784/resources-and-tips-for-those-living-with-chronic-pain  often it's a combination of things that seem to work the best. Hoping some of this proves helpful as well.
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,713 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hey there @Nick1771 and a big welcome to the community from me too!

    I can see you're getting some excellent help already, but I just wanted to say hi. If you ever want to just hang out and chat to people, take a look in our Coffee Lounge category, we're a friendly bunch. :)
  • Nick1771
    Nick1771 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    chiarieds said:
    Hi @Nick1771 - & welcome to the community. Have you asked your GP for a referral to physiotherapy to see if that might help? I'm unsure what you mean by continuous pain treatment, but perhaps that includes medication. Have you been referred to a musculoskeletal pain clinic?
    In the meanwhile, you might find something you're interested in trying on this thread about chronic pain: https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/102784/resources-and-tips-for-those-living-with-chronic-pain  often it's a combination of things that seem to work the best. Hoping some of this proves helpful as well.

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,146 Championing

    Hello @Nick1771

    Welcome to Scope, and I'm truly sorry to hear about the pain you're enduring. I can truly relate to what you're going through with your situation as I too, had to make the difficult decision to reduce my working hours due to deteriorating health. It was a constant source of financial worry, keeping me up at night, wondering how I would manage. 

    I don't qualify for means-tested benefits, since my salary still exceeds the required threshold for a single person. However, it's important to note that individual circumstances can vary, and you might very well meet the requirements for these benefits. 

    The good news is that I do qualify for PIP, which is not a means-tested benefit. PIP has had a significantly positive impact on my financial situation. 

  • Nick1771
    Nick1771 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    How do I find out? Do I need to explain to my GP what my work situation is? And will they do anything to help me get it?
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 9,713 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hey there @Nick1771 to apply for PIP, you need to do it yourself.  There's a handy page on the Scope website that talks you through it all.  But we're all here if you need additional help. :)
  • Nick1771
    Nick1771 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener
    Hi Albus I've looked at a few things explaining applying for pip, and it's all so confusing. I'm stuck on how to go through the process.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    Details here on how to apply for PIP. https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim before applying i'd really advise you to have a look at the criteria to at least try to understand what the descriptors mean. This really does help with a claim going forward. This may help. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

    It's very unlikely that any GP could help with that process, i'm afraid.

    For benefits such as Universal Credit you should use a benefits calculator that i put a link to in my first comment to see if there's any entitlement. As i advised, it will depend on your circumstances and if you live with a partner you'll need to claim as a couple.

    If you're still unsure then you can speak to an advice agency local to you. This will help with that. https://advicelocal.uk/welfare-benefits




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