Rheumatoid arthritis?!


Question:

Rheumatoid arthritis?

i have had this for 5 years now, never had a day without pain. i'v been a working man all my life, only claimed dole money when i left school, for 6 months...my question is, if i stop work now what can i claim for...dont judge me for being a lay about, for anyone with this knows how painfull it can be....


Answers:

You can claim Incapacity Benefit (IB) if you are unable to work due to ill health, but I think you have to have been ill for a certain number of weeks before you can get it.
If you have an employer and have been paying national insurance the first step is usually "sick pay" whilst you are off work, (I think you need Drs notes to get this but as you are in so much pain a visit to your GP would be a good idea anyway). When sick pay runs out you apply for IB from jobcentre plus (social security office).
Some employers have ill-health retirement schemes linked to any pension you have been paying into so it may be worth discussing with your employer or trade union rep as you may be entitled to a ill-health retirement pension.
There is also DLA (Disability Living Allowance) that some people get as well as IB, or can even get to cover extra expenses even if you still work, but you have to be really disabled (such as hardly able to walk at all) before you qualify for it.
Some usefull web sites:-
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/livingwi...
http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/search.php?...
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/cust...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeop...

You are not lazy and have a genuine reason that you can no longer work so don't be afraid to talk to GP and to apply for any social security benefits that you are entitled to.




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