dla

[gladys]

I have been off work since January 2006, I was diagnosed with grossly under-active thyroid and was extremely ill, then my body seemed to seize up with swollen joints, and I had to have help to do most things including getting dressed. This led to me being diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. I felt I had lost 1 year of my life! I was awarded dla in February this year, I did not have a medical examination but know they contacted my GP who stated how ill I had been. I am a lot better now but still get extremely tired, and have aching joints, I just 'go with the flow' and try to do what I can on good days. My predicament is that I have to attend an incapacity hearing at work to decide if I am going to be able to return as obviously they need to know one way or the other, and I don't know whether to try going back, and therefore give up the benefits I fought to get, or to leave my job? My GP says there are no guarantees that I won't have a bad 'flare-up' again. I have had a fairly good spell for 2 weeks now which makes me think I should be back at work and I do feel very guilty claiming benefits, but the money has been a huge help after receiving no wages for so long. I worry that if I go back and have to go off sick I will once again be left with no money and have to re-claim dla. I would be interested to hear any advice.

[Clare.T]

Welcome to the forum Gladys

Lupus notoriously varies in severity from time to time and feeling better for a while sadly means very little long term. I read in the paper today that one third of those diagnosed with RA have to give up work.

I don't know about other benefits, but I'm 99.999% sure DLA does not depend on income or whether you are working or not.

I guess the decision to go back depends a lot on what sort of work you do and what accommodations can be made for your problems.

Lupus isnt included in the list of disabilities for which provision must be made so I have the impression it's up to the individual employers . I hope someone with personal experience can help you out with the difficult decision

Bye for now

Clare

[ROSST]

Hi, I too have been off work since Jun 06 and I also have Lupus and Rheumatiod Arthritus. I believe that Clare is correct, DLA is not affected if you return to work but Incapacity Benefit is, so make sure you don't get the two confused.

It is very difficult to know what to do for the best - but in my experience a flare up is always just around the corner and the thought of having to complete all the forms again is just to scary to think about.

Glad you are having a flare free time.

Take care
Tracey

[RubyRed444]

Incapacity Benefit is paid instead of SSP ( Statutory Sick Pay). Once you return to work you are no longer Incapacitated but you wll however go back onto full pay one assumes.

If you go sick again you will be paid ssp on yor 4th day of sickness but if you are on full company sick pay this will just be reduced by the standard daily rate of SSP. If you dont get Company sick pay they should still pay you SSP which is the same value as Incapacity Benefit, if they wont/dont pay you SSP they will give you a form to claim incapacity benefit..

As far as I am aware if you claim DLA and get it it doesnt matter whether you work or not you are stil entitled to it as its a benefit to help your quality of life as well

Ihope this helps

Ruby

[LolaLola]

Personally, I would be very cautious about making any promises to your employer. Lupus treatment can take quite a while to get spot on and being unreliable at work causes you awful strain.
Good Luck,
and I am on benefits too. Don't feel guilty.
x Lola

[jakerleen]

Hi I know a little about the DLA system and giving up work because of my hubby who has bi-polar

First the work have to see if they can arrange your job around you, it is a legal requirement. If there is no alternative they can offer you that you could work with or if you feel that you just could not cope with what they are asking, then they are obliged to make you redundant. Sometimes that can be in the best interest of both parties. The employer because they can have a clean slate and the employee for the same reason. Also if you have worked there for a while, there will be a redundancy payment.

As for DLA it is not a means tested benefit, it is never taken into consideration if you end up having to claim income support housing / council tax benefit. If you do get income supoprt they give you an extra premium of approx £25.00 a week even for lower rate care.

The only problem I can see here is that if you do go back to work they will re-assess the amount you presently get and the reasons why ie mobility is to do with getting around etc if they think you can suddenly get around after they thought you couldn't they will cut the money. Also the care component, if you are working and don't need as much help they will cut that too. Sorry to put a spanner in the works here, just thought it best to remind you of how things are with them. The people who assess DLA are NOT doctors, they are clerks, that often comes as a shock that your condition and what you can can't do is bieng assessed by someone with no medical knowledge, that is why when you fill the forms out you ahve to tell them everything, even if you tell them 20 times to make it stick, it does more good than harm to re-iterate your points. They do go on doctors advice but they take a lot into consideration of the info in the pack you send back.

hope this helps and wishing you loads of luck

Jackie xxxxx

[Ann2]

Hi Gladys

I think a lot depends on the type of work you do, and also on whether or not you work full time. It may be possible to return on a part-time basis in order for you to see whether you are able to cope with the demands of the job. Don't know much about the rules of DLA, but think maybe you would be able to return for up to 15 hours a week without it being affected (check this one out though).

Think you will know yourself if you feel ready to return. I think with regards to your doctor's comment about not guaranteeing if you will flare again - is quite honest. Of course there is never any guarantees with this illness, but dont let this comment get in your way if you really feel ready to give it a try - nothing in life is guaranteed anyway. On the other hand dont go rushing back if the thought of it makes you feel really unhappy, or if you are not physically ready, take his advice on this one.

Best wishes in reaching a decision.

love
Ann

[gladys]

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my queries regarding dla and returning to work, the information has been extremely usefuland I am very grateful! I will let you know how I get on.