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Date: 20.08.2011
From: Peri

Subject: Work and expenses

I was diagnosed with RA almost three years ago. Recently, my symptoms have become worse and we are having some trouble finding a proper drug combination to keep the symptoms under control. The local hospital's Rheumatoid Department are being fantastic and really trying to find the next way forward.

I am still working full time - but I am struggling. I have little support/understanding from my bosses and don't get paid sick pay if I am off. I can't afford to lose pay and, therefore, can't be off sick, even when I am finding it almost impossible to get through the day. I am using all my free time to rest to be well enough to work and am now starting to use my annual leave to provide me with rest days, just so I don't have to take sick leave. This is not a satisfactory situation.

Additionally, it is now costing us around £150 a month in car parking because I'm not able to get to work by bus due to increased pain/stiffness and difficulty walking/fatigue. therefore, my partner takes me to work and collects me and has to park the car all day in the local car park to be able to do so.

All I want to know, really, is whether there is any financial help available for someone in my position. I want to work and I'm doing my best but I am reaching the end of my tether, emotionally, physically and financially. It seems there is help for those who can't work or work reduced hours but not for those of us who really just need a bit of assistance to carry on working. I just don't know what to do. Has anyone got any advice, please?
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Date: 20.08.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

Employment support allowance is one you can try to claim, don't know much about it or how much you could receive. You would do well to phone Citizens advice bureau or your social security department and ask them to send you forms.Your bosses should be supporting you all the way.
I am sure lots of people on here will give you lots of advice. Apply for a Blue Badge from your local council? This will enable you to park nearer to shops and free parking in lots of places. Hoping your meds are sorted for you soon. Take care and hang in there.
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Date: 21.08.2011
From: Dilizjo

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

Hi Peri, Marlene is right, ESA is the first benefit you need to apply for, go to your GP and explain your situation and how RA is affecting your daily working life and ask them to give you a "Fitness for Work" note (the old sick note as we oldies know it) then phone Jobcentre Plus and tell them you want to make a claim for Employment Support Allowance, you will be on the phone for about 45mins whilst they ask you loads of questions, your claim will start from the day you phoned, you don't get anything for the first 3 days, they will ask you to send your sick note in to them. Yoou will recieve 67.50 per week, fortnightly, they will send you a questionaire for the Medical assessment you will have to attend, take your time to fill it in, this is where the fun starts:( it is tick boxes all the way and a lot of the questions are totally inane for our situation so a good idea is to tick the box that represents your answer and put a written comment by it explaining how badly you are affected etc.... Answer all questions as if it is a bad day/flare up etc. The medical assessment comes next, which will take me forever to explain so if you want detailed info and advice for that I can post that when you get your appointment for it. After the assessment you will find out if ATOS (the company the DWP £100,000,000 per year) have deemed you fit for work, if they have given you 15 points and over you have passed and will recieve £94 per week and placed in a WRAG (Work Related Activity Group). you will get back paid the extra money awarded there to the 13th week of your claim. If you don't pass, you appeal, you ask for a copy of the report done by ATOS, which tbh will be totally fictional.... Please try not to get too worried and stressed about the claim process it is possible to get the report overturned before any appeal happens. I advise you to Google ATOS and read up about them, they have had a lot of bad press lately. Also at the same time as claiming ESA phone Disabled Living Allowance and request a form from them as well, to fill out this form I would make an appointment with your local Welfare Rights dept and get them to help you, they know how to word things... at no time put in that you can do things you can't manage easily because you are trying to keep your independance, this claim takes a lot longer but if you are successfull it will be back dated to the start date of your claim. As Marlene said apply for a blue badge for your transport.
There may be other benefits you will be entitled to but they will depend on your circumstances, such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit, after claiming ESA I would ring you local council and ask for forms for both.
As for your employers, my advise is for you to take in all the info you have on RA and ask them to read it, also ask them if they are familiar with the Disability Discrimination Act and if not,to advise them to make themselves aware.
People do think that when they see the word Arthritis that it is copable, they don't relise that RA is actually an Autoimmune disease that is ongoing, can't be cured, only managed.
If you go to the post a bit further down "New online petition" there is a web address there for a petition please take time to sign it and ask everyone you know to do the same.
I hope they find the right medication for you and life gets a bit easier and please don't hesitate to ask if you need help, if I can I will or try to point you in the right direction.
Take care and keep us updated:) xx
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Date: 21.08.2011
From: davina

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

hi peri so sorry your having so much pain and having to deal with this, i was in your situation last year.

Dilizjo is correct but as you work full time you have to claim statutory sick pay from your employer for the 1st 28 weeks of sickness and you get 81.60 per week. you have to give your employer a sick note for every week your off and be promt or they will not pay you, you don;t get paid for the 1st 3 days either. when your 28 weeks near your employer will write to you and send you a form to them claim ESA which for the 1st 13 weeks before the assesment is lower than ssp!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_171891
this is a link to esa

and this is to ssp
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_10018786

hope this helps
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Date: 21.08.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

There is a scheme called 'Access to Work' don't know much about it but here is a link
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347. Think you might have to have an assessment with social services to get it and it is really worth your while phoning them anyway to come and see you. Most councils allow you to self refer but you might have to go through your dr. There is funding to help people in your situation, you just need some help to access it.
best of luck.
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Date: 22.08.2011
From: Dilizjo

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

hiya again, please make sure you phone the DLA as soon as possible as this benefit is designed to help people stay in work and does not need the applicant to be on state benefits.
Take carexx
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Date: 22.08.2011
From: Peri

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

Hi All, and thank you so much for all your replies - it's so lovely to know that there are people who understand!

I think I'm going to go down the 'Access to Work' route - I've looked at the scheme and it seems to fit my circumstances better at present. I'm determined to try to stay in full-time work as long as possible - I really can't afford to drop hours or income at the moment, for many reasons, but I just need some assistance with getting to and from work and some support whilst I'm there. I've made the first-stage application on line and I'll see what happens now. I'm at the hospital again on 1st September so will speak to my RA nurse re blue badge application too - that would really help.

Again, thank you all soooooo much - and I wish you all well in your own battles with RA.

Hugs
Peri x
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Date: 22.08.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

Your blue badge application has to be made via your local council. You should be able to download forms if your council does not do this give them a ring and they will send them to you. Dont wait to speak to your nurse there realy is no need. Fill it in and they will do the rest they dont need drs reports or anything just gp name hospital you attend and who you would like them to contact. Hope this helps wish you luck with access to work. Take Care.
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Date: 23.08.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Work and expenses

If you don't get higher rate mobility DLA, some councils ask you to supply supporting documentation. Mine did. They wouldn't accept just the rheumy nurse letter so got one from OT as well.
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