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(she's a bit technologically challenged :wink: ) if she can get any financial help but theres so much information (some outdated) that it's quite confusing so I was hoping someone on here might be able to help.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

 

[Talos]

Can I suggest the local C A B please, I think they may be of more help than we can, or Age Concern who are very knowledgeable, and will fill in the necessary forms for her.

Ps. you dont have to be an OAP to get help from Age Concern


As for the treatment and pain control, you need someone with personal experience, hopefully someone will be along soon.

 

[Dippy3103]

If your Mum were to apply for working tax credit it would have to be a joint claim with her husband, so it would depend on his income and how high it is.
If they pay rent and or council tax she may be able to get some help from her local council as housing and or council tax benefit. Again it would be dependant upon the entire households income and number of people in the house.
She won't get ESA as she works.

 

[Hobs]

One of my daughters recently was awarded DLA but was first refused as she only submitted GP's support. She was advised to get her consultants involved, which she did, and then the medical panel made the award after her appeal with the consultants letters.

It seems everyone is turned down first attempt and only get through on appeal (always appeal) with documented evidence from hospital consultants.

 

[weeziebeth]

Can I suggest the local C A B please, I think they may be of more help than we can, or Age Concern who are very knowledgeable, and will fill in the necessary forms for her.

Ps. you dont have to be an OAP to get help from Age Concern


As for the treatment and pain control, you need someone with personal experience, hopefully someone will be along soon.

Thank you I think she'd batter me despite the pain if I was to suggest Age Concern :wink: but she has an appointment with the CAB next week, so fingers crossed. Just thought I'd see if anyone has had or is going through anything similar.

 

[weeziebeth]

If your Mum were to apply for working tax credit it would have to be a joint claim with her husband, so it would depend on his income and how high it is.

Ok, thank you.

If they pay rent and or council tax she may be able to get some help from her local council as housing and or council tax benefit. Again it would be dependant upon the entire households income and number of people in the house.

They have a mortgage. I think she'll have to see what the CAB advise.

She won't get ESA as she works.

I know, my point was she won't be able to work for much longer, but is unable to give up work and claim ESA due to financial difficulties.

 

[weeziebeth]

One of my daughters recently was awarded DLA but was first refused as she only submitted GP's support. She was advised to get her consultants involved, which she did, and then the medical panel made the award after her appeal with the consultants letters.

It seems everyone is turned down first attempt and only get through on appeal (always appeal) with documented evidence from hospital consultants.

Yes, that's what I've heard, even people who without any doubt should be on it. Thank you, I'll make sure she asks the consultants for letters too

 

[bowell]

When you are unfit for work you can claim ESA with a sick note (new fit for work note)
Employment and Support Allowance may be:

Contribution based if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions,
you can get ESA in your own right if your National Insurance is upto date
your partner can then claim tax credits if works over 30 hrs

OR Income related if you don’t have enough money or savings, or you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions this will be a joint assessment

see http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1001.pdf

You will need a sick note (new fit for work note) from your doctor to claim ESA you can claim by phone DWP will also send you out a ESA50 form GET HELP TO FILL THIS OUT same pit-falls as DLA 90% will have to go to a DWP/Atos medical now

copy of ESA50 http://www.disabilityalliance.org/esa50.pdf

For Both DLA and ESA50 forms Get as much help as you can CAB are very helpful

Your first stop would be your doctors ask for a copy of all your medical notes and the sick note
some councils have a welfare and benefits officer who will also help you

Neuropathic pain if its that Bad ? Ask GP to refer to the pain clinic and or Neurologist
I take Amitriptyline and Gabapentine for Nerve pain

GET HELP!! and good luck

 

[weeziebeth]

@ Bowell....thank you! It's been very frustrating trying to find anything out. I've posted on other forums and all I've really got in reply is people questioning whether she really needs the benefit, or suggesting she get a different job etc, which is even more frustruating! These people don't know my mother's particular situation or how much she suffers every day and just assume everybody trying to claim anything is a scrounger and just cant be bothered to work, when this isn't the case for a lot of people, (including those much worse off than my mother, I know.) Sorry for the rant :roll: I just wanted to say thank you for someone posting a helpful reply!!! :mrgreen:

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Whilst not wishing to distract from the excellent information above re CAB, I would like to mention an organisation called DIAL UK who have helped many people in your mothers position, if you contact them they will put you in touch with a local specialist who can advise on benefits, incapacity benefit for example. They have recently helped a friend of mine who was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease last year, he's only 40!! They helped fill in the local council 'Blue Badge' forms and the DLA forms for motorbility and he is still working at the moment.

 

[weeziebeth]

@ Sid Bonkers...Thank you I've just had a look on their website and found our local office. Thanks again..

 

[bowell]

Can not tell anyone how important its to get professional help with DLA and ESA
As the DWP will trip you up on the smallest wording of your application
I needed a CAB solicitor deal with my DLA court case, I felt a lot happier that she went with me on the day .... Yes we won :lol:

 

[burnbrae6]

Hi, I have T2 diabetes (Insulin Treated) and also Neuropathy. I phoned for DLA Application on 30th July and recieved high rate mobility and low rate care component within 7 weeks!! I went to my local cab office to get forms filled in (took 3 hours!) but they knew what to answer and how to answer. I think its how you word most answers to questions. I am moderate risk neuropathy and take 2 types of insulin. It seems that the DLA people get reports from all concerned in your health, Diabetic Nurse, Podiatrist etc. If you do get turned down, then the cab will take over your appeal for you. I know i had no problems but dont take no for an answer, you have nothing to lose by keeping at them.