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Date: 04.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: dhss

hi all hope everybody ok not been on for last few days been busy filling forms out for dhss looks like i am about to lose my job as been assessed by employer for capability to do job and they decided i not fit enough to do it and there is no modification or adaptions that they can do so looking in to finishing me on grounds of incapability bit fed up about it. i know i been off work for 28 weeks but always hoped that when things settled down i might go back but my job is a very physical job (warehouse packer)and the company dont like you having time off but its scary being unemployed and the forms you get from dhss are as bad as dla just had to fill form out for medical assesment and now got to wait to see if they send me for medical sorry for moaning but feeling really fed up. bad enough aching all over without worrying about what job i can do love to all :0(
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: dhss

hi what a shock for u i know also always hoping will get up and it will be gone not got it as bad as u only had one day off work with it (only work 4 hours) think if was full time would have probs boss great not even been asking me to cover people that r off so coping so far but the damp making things worse lol. when jill back sure she will have some help full advice for u good luck take care and get right before u rush into another job
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon.....sorry to hear that....like u said its a physical job and an important one too, so i guess they need someoen that can do it....i cant work anymore due to being unreliable....feel ok one day, and poo the next, mb for days, then ok for three, and roteen for the next week, and so it goes on...... I know Val said I mite be able to help u, but I reckon Lynne can prob help better.....im not qualified in this part of our illensss i,e, dhss form filling in etc..... however I did once have amedical for DLA.....rotten that was.... mb there r other jobsd u cld consider tho.... and like Val, mb do only part time...... however, U might be better offf not working part time, and recieive all the benefits U deserve!..... hope this kinda helps....stay in touch ok x
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: dhss

I can't be much help either I'm afraid. They retired me on I'll health grounds twenty years ago. Things have changed since then. Best thing I can advise is to go to the citizens advice centre. The have people there who can advise you of all the benefits you may be eligible for. I know it's scary being unemplyed been through that. But there is help and support out there if you can find it.
Like jill I'm to ill to do any form of work so it is vital to get the benefits right.
Citizens advice bureau is a good place to start. I know you probably feel down and scared at the moment so please do come back on here and talk to us.Good or bad. You can come on and have a shout too we all do this from time to time. There are some lovely people on here that are always willing to offer advice and help and support if required. Hope this helps. Take care xxxx
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

hi jill dont know what too do for best at min like you i can feel ok one day and rotten next use to put all aches and pains down to job until toes swelled up like sausages thats when i went to doc and he refered me to rheumy specialist and they said i got pa that was back in march then we started going down the road of mtx as diclofenic and naproxen did nothing for me was on 25mg of mtx but made me so ill asked if they would reduce mtx so they did to20mg on the understanding that if my pa flared again they would put it back as they say i am established now on mtx plus other pills and esr is well down at min but i still ache everywhere legs still tend to swell up over the day and wrists and neck are really painful have been this way for months 2 fingers on left hand are completely numb
i been on sick since march and over the months until recently seem to get worse not better my boss and company occ health came out to see me and they then made the desicion that they think i will nolonger be able to do my job and sent me a letter telling me as such but said they were looking into terminating my contract on the grounds of incapability as i have worked for them for 7 years full time in the meantime my company statutary sick pay has run out so now i have had to apply to dhss for sick pay and they have sent a form out for me to fill in for medical so now i worried that not only am i losing my job but that the dhss might say that because my pa flares and then goes better that i am fit for work but i havent got a job it is really messing with my head dont know which way to turn for best partime is not a option as at min all my insurances are paying various bills but will stop as soon as i take any kind of work and part time dont pay enough sorry for going on a bit lol
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon its ok to come on here and let it all out. thats what this forum is for good and bad days we are all willing to listen and help if we can. cos we understand what it is like with this insidious illness. and how it can affect our lives. its understandable you are scared. like jill says you probably will be better off if you could claim benefits. try a wab site called entitledto.co.uk it will give you a rough idea of the benefits you may be entitled to better still go to the CAB . as you say youyr insurance pays for things now. but you said it will be running out soon so please dont delay in claiming cos the money does take a couple of monthd to come through.

Hope you feel better soon Take care
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

U shld get Incapacity benfit too Sharon, along side DLA... as u worked full time for 7 years...mite not last long tho, my understanding is, the more and more years u work, the longer u get Incap benefit....I wld look into all the things tht Monica suggested too...plus wot Lynne said also......goood luck, wishing u the best x
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Date: 04.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

thanks everybody for advice will ring localcad nxt week and find out when they open got appointment with work on monday to discuss what they plan so should have better picture of whats going on lol all :0)
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Date: 05.09.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: dhss

Hiya Sharon, I was in exactly the same boat.Diagnosed with RA.Been off work since Oct 08, statutary sick pay ran out, and my company dumped me.
I had to apply for sick pay, and also had a medical, and like you say feel worse some days than others.
I took with me my medication details, my blood record book also I went on my mobility scooter, which I use when I am really bad, to give them the full picture.
These people are aware of our conditions, and my lady was very helpful. I think because you have been put out to pasture like myself this will say a lot to them, so I would not worry,about being sent part time or anything. You need to feel a lot better first and when the time is right when you feel ready they will help you get employment that will suit your needs.
Hope this helps
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Date: 05.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

thanks it has put me at ease alot waiting to see what occ health and hr have to say when they come to visit me at home again on monday will keep u informed have only just posted medical form back to dhss so will have to wait and see what happens i still waiting to hear from dla it just seems as though its a waiting game for everything they dont like to make life easy for you lol :0)
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Date: 05.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

gooood luck ok....x
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Date: 05.09.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: dhss

good luck sharon have not got that far so will look out for your post with interest
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Date: 05.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

get writing then Val...U deserve it too...NAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGing again LOLOLOL x
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Date: 06.09.2009
From: monica

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon
I do not know where you live, but did you have to phone a support centre to claim your incap, which is now called Employment and support allowance. If you did , did you have to answer questions over the phone, then did they send you all the forms with an appointment to see the employment support officer at your local jobcentre. If not, they sent you all the forms to fill in, you will have to send in a medical certifacate either with your forms or asap. You should get incap as you have been working, or have had your stamp paid for you in the last two years. the rates are:Incapacity Benefit is paid at three weekly rates:
short-term (lower) IB is paid for the first 28 weeks
short-term (higher) IB is paid from weeks 29 to 52
long-term IB is paid from week 53
Rates
Current weekly amounts

Weekly rateAmountAmount if you are over State Pension age
short-term (lower rate)£67.75£86.20
short-term (higher rate)£80.15£89.80
long-term basic rate£89.80You are not eligible for long-term basic rate IB
You will have to go and have a medical sooner or later, everyone does at some time when claiming. They will write and tell you whether or not they think you are fit or not to work, if they think you are unfit, they will keep you on incap for months or indefinitly. But at intervals they will ask to see you, to see what if anything they can do to get you back into work, at the moment i think it all depends on your age, if you are nearing retirement age, as i am, they should not bother, it all depends who your local officer is at the jobcentre. Also you will have, or might have filled in a med4 certificate, this has to be done by your gp with you there, stating what is wrong with you. I know it is a nuisance, especially when you feel like???, but i have had to go through it also, and i worked for the DWP. Lots of luck.
Monica
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Date: 06.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

Monica...your knowlege is amazing and your info incredible.... thanks flr all your input with helping us all understnad the sytem better...truly does help greatly
love jill x
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Date: 06.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

hi monica thanks for advice i am currently receiving esa of £64.30 after being on sick for 28 weeks company sick pay stops so i applied for esa on my own stamps and the above amount is what they say i am entitled to for the first 13 wks while they assess my claim i received a medical questioaire from them for me to fill in asking everything about whats wrong with me what medication i on capabilites alot like dla form
they them write to gp apparently and decide whether or not they want you to attend a medical but on looking into this i found out that just about everybody gets sent for medical.the medical itself doesnt bother me as already had one for work and they have decided that they going to finish me on grounds of incapability they coming to discuss this with me tomorrow i worked for this company for 7 years and apparently because of my age which is 49 by the way i will be entitled to 1 and half weeks redundancy pay for every full year, i sent a copy of the medical report from work to dhss as well as current sick note and a form wages dept gave me to hand in to dhss. its all this waiting that is getting me down waiting for dla to give me a decision waiting dor dhss and waiting for work i feel like a jugglar with all his balls in the air excuse my expression haha and nothing coming back down i just scared that everybody is going to say no and then i am left with one major fiancial problem as going from a two income family to one is a big drop as you can appreciate sometimes i wish i could just go back to work life was so much simplier but i know that i cant do the job anymore it is too physically demanding and theres no way i can stand for 8 hours a day with my feet and knee plus they expect you to pack over 2000 items per shift and with the pa in my fingers and wrists, plus shoulder it is impossable i guess i am just going to have to wait and see what the outcome to everything is and then make a descision thanks for your help i appreciate it alot sorry for rambling on hope you ok lol
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Date: 06.09.2009
From: monica

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon
You are not rambling on, i know what you are going through, like i said i worked for the DWP, i had to go through two examinations, then it took nearly 10 months before i got my final package of retirement on health grounds. DLA takes about 6/8 weeks to come through, but you will get it all backdated to the date they received it. Good luck with everything.

Monica
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

hi monica well i had the worst monday ever i have now been finished by my company as from today on the grounds of incapability and then to top it off have been turned down by dla so i dont know what to do nxt thinking of going to cad for advice got to go for hydrotherapy tomorrow so right now i am very fed up and confused,plus it mtx day and i know i going to spend next couple of days feeling poo life is just so rosy at min lol
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: dhss

Soz to hear that sharon rely poo day for you. You can alwAys appeal the decision. Think you need to send a letter in make sure you photocopy everything cos they sometimes loose Docs.
When you fill form in you probhad not been finnished from work then so they won't be aware of that. Maybe you can use that bad piece of news to do you some good. Hope this helps hugs to you.. Take care xx
ps they nearly allways turn you down on first go don't give up hope xx
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

thanks lynn not first time they turned me down so asked them to look at it again has condition had got worse true they dont know that i just got finished from work going to leave it for now till i been to citizen advice and find out where i stand plus occ health is going to give me a letter detailing why they have finished me then i will start the paper chain again (sigh) lol :0(
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon know it's hard to stay posative you've had a double whammy today. CAB is very good place to get advice from. Thinking of you take care xx
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

thanks same to you lol
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: dhss

poor u not a good day but at least u do not have to worry about getting fit for that job u can find something u can manage sorry such a bad day for you hope u feeling bit better now
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon don't forget to photo copy all your letters and form they have a habit of loosing them. lol
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: monica

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon
Well at least on the positive side, (you probably think at the moment there is not one, i felt the same when they retired me, but i know i could not have kept the pace any longer) you can at least stop in bed a bit later than if you had to go to work if you feel poorly. I know if i do not sleep well, which is most nights, i do stop in bed a bit later. Anyway about the DLA, if they turn down your appeal, you will have to wait a while before you can apply again,when you do , like i always state, even if you feel on top of the world, you always put your worse case scenario. What they look for, is not what sort of disability you have, it's what you can and cannot do for yourself. Like do you need help in getting dressed, do you need help in walking or having a wash, how far can you walk with out getting in pain, also can you cook a dinner for yourself, by this they mean in the oven, not microwave, please do not think i am being condescending, i am not, it is just that i know what they look for. Also your gp should fill in a part of it, what are they putting, or some sort of specialist, or physio. When you get your next form, if you do not get your appeal, let me know, if i can help i will. Also they ask the same questions only in a different way. I hope your hydrotherapy helps.

Monica x
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: dhss

hi monica i havent appealled i just asked them to relook at my form after they turned it down the first time due to change in circumstances is this classed as a appeal if so do u know how long before i can apply again. going to wait till i get letter from work stating why they have finished me what reason and going to see cab for advice maybe get them to help me fill form in this time thanks for all your advice and help i really appreciate it take care,i sat here with stomach churning and head spinning not long since took mtx lovely pills hahah.
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: monica

Subject: Re: dhss

Hi Sharon
Sorry to hear your tablets are making you ill, horrible when you start something new. If you have asked them to look at your form, i would imagine they will class it as an appeal, if you have sent it back to blackpool. It can take up to three months, but saying that it might be sooner. If they turn it down, unless they have changed the circumstances its six months before you can re-apply. Yes you should get a letter stating on what health grounds they found you were unfit to work, also make sure you get all thats owed to you before you sign anything, or accept anything. . Anything i can do to help, just ask. only to pleased to help. Take care.

Monica
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Date: 07.09.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: dhss

sharon my mTX makes me feel like that...cant stumach mine at mo at all!!!
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