neuropathy & not eligible for benefits? please help

[weeziebeth]

Hi
My mother (52) has T2 diabetes, and suffers with a lot of numbness and pain in her feet due to neuropathy ,and also has a lot of pain and a very swollen leg due to lymphodema. I am trying to find out on her behalf (she's a bit technologically challenged :wink: ) if she can get any financial help but theres so much information (some outdated) that it's quite confusing so I was hoping someone on here might be able to help.
She cannot walk even a few steps without being in a lot of pain. In theory she is eligible for some Disability Living Allowance (at least the mobility component), although she was refused when she applied for it months ago. I've heard it's very difficult to get but we have since realised she should have got some help from the CAB filling in the forms as they are complicated, and she didnt back it up with medical evidence. She also would have had more luck on appeal, so my mother is applying again, and if refused again, will appeal this time.
I don't know if she is eligible for Working Tax Credit, because you need to work at least 16 hours a week, and she currently works 16 hours one week and 12 the next. Does anyone know if she is able to claim it one week and not the other?
My main concern is that she should not be working at all. Being on her feet at work is making her worse and she shouldn't have to put up with being in constant pain. I don't think she will physically be able to keep going for much longer. However I don't think she is eligible for Employment Support Allowance as her husband works full time. They are in financial difficulty now, while they are both working, so would not be able to manage on his wage alone. So she just doesn't know what she can do. Is there any other help out there? I know if she went to her doctor he would confirm that she is disabled and fully support her application, and she would pass any test, but if she gets no financial help, she cant afford to do this.
I've posted this in the employment and general sections on the forum as I'd also appreciate any advice on dealing with neuropathy and the pain..does anyone have any advice on treatments?
Thank you

 

[donnellysdogs]

Any sort of benefit is awful to try and get.

I recently had to be seen by an ATOS person just to get NI credits paid. I took my husband. It is based upon a scoring system, you have to get 15 points. My husband and I and friends thought I would get at least 50. Result.....big fat ZERO!!!!! The ATOS person was made to apologise twice to me by my husband during a session that lasted 1 hr 20 mins.

I have to have my husband help me get out of bed every day, to help me dress, and reverse. Diagnosed T1 and fibromyalgia. Pain so bad, a friend of mine offered me her dead husband's motorised invalid carriage thingy.... nothing....I am unable to work, and after 30 years after having **** good jobs and always paying all my taxes....I can't get a single penny-not even my NI credits.

There is a petition against ATOS personnel on the internet....you should read some of the comments on it......I thought I was treated badly at my medical assessment...you should read other comments......a huge number of diabetics are going to end up going through ATOS and trying to get benefits.....and we don't stand a chance because they are paid to achieve targets that 95% of all working age people are fit to work!!!!!!! Only 5% of the people will be passsed as medically unfit.....some cases are absolutely awful.

I really advise going to CAB to get as much help as possible to complete forms etc ....

 

[copepod]

The test for getting higher rate mobilty component of Disability Living Allowance is high "unable of virtually unable to walk". So, worth appealling, but still may not get HRM DLA. There are also Lower Rate Mobility Component for people who need guidance or supervision to get round unfamiliar places and Higher, Middle and Lower Rates of Care Component. Any combination of levels of Mobility and / or Care are possible, including getting just one or other.

The 15 points referred to by Donnellysdogs relates to Incapacity Benefit Employment Support Allowance, which is a work relacement benefit, which can be dependent on previous National Insurance contributions.

In any case, best to get advice from CAB or any benefits advice agency.

 

[evette25]

Appeal against decision. I have type 1 and had to appeal in order to get help with mobility issues. I'd suggest you take the appeal to c.a.b for help with appeal as they fill these in constantly. Also make an appointment with a benefit advisor. Get a benefit check done, there's maybe a few other things she's entitled to.

 

[john andrews]

I got 18 point at ATOS but just had my big toe amputated and waiting for another one now.

I am seriously clinically depressed to and being treated for it by specialist but scored nothing for this.

I found it very demeaning going to this interview as already get highest rate DLA and Care.

From what I read I am lucky to pass.

 

[donnellysdogs]

The ATOS medic deemed me as fit to work, I asked for a reconsideration in a letter, and the letter asking for a reconsideration had 40 points listed on it as to the reasons why I didn't think I should be placed in the fit to work category. I received a letter back within 4 weeks saying that they had overturned the ATOS medic's decsion. I think it helped that the ATOS medic had stated a number of untruths (one being that I was offered a female attendant), and that I had a witness with me that could categorically state that I was never offered a female attendant.
The DLA used the same report that the ATOS medic and deemed that with the additional information that I had provided that I should be getting DLA. The forms for both ESA and DLA look pretty much the same questions, but they aren't. Both forms also ask the same question in a different way, so you have to be very aware of this when completing the huge application forms. I did not send any official letters from any of my health care professionals with my applications or reconsideration letter, as I had decided that if I needed to go to appeal, then I would do it at this stage.
I was not appealing against the ATOS decsion for financial reasons regarding the ESA, as I do not get any actual benefit payment, just my NI credits paid. Even so I know of the need to get the NI credits paid, and also that being placed in the 'fit to work' category would be so very difficult for me to manage.
It is possible to get somewhere, but it is a huge fight to do so, and it is certainly not a pleasant journey to have to travel.
My DLA and ESA application was not just made regarding diabetes (as that is not the major part of my health problems), but the fact of being on a pump was mentioned, but not as the major contributory factor.

 

[michele42]

hi im a type2 and i have diabetic neuropathy in both feet and its really bad and painfull im on oxycodone and paracetomol for the pain i claimed higher rate disability allowance and got turned down my consultant at hosp told me to go for it i told him i got turned down and he told me to appeal which i did and he sent a letter with my appeal and got got the allowance so i would advise speaking with her doctor and appealing i hope this helps