Advice RE claiming UK benefits, paying NI contributions

[MEMarge]

Hi does anyone have ideas for info about the nature of moderate ME that would be worth taking to a Jobcentre appt. I know this is a bit random. The person in question had an ESA where the assessor basically said she wasn't making enough effort and it looks like they are trying to put her in the applying for jobs group. This is despite the fact that she was working fultime until a couple of years ago, when she got ME and became too ill to keep working!

 

[NelliePledge]

Hi does anyone have ideas for info about the nature of moderate ME that would be worth taking to a Jobcentre appt. I know this is a bit random. The person in question had an ESA where the assessor basically said she wasn't making enough effort and it looks like they are trying to put her in the applying for jobs group. This is despite the fact that she was working fultime until a couple of years ago, when she got ME and became too ill to keep working!

Possibly the ME Association disability scale might help?

 

[Diluted-biscuit]

Hi does anyone have ideas for info about the nature of moderate ME that would be worth taking to a Jobcentre appt. I know this is a bit random. The person in question had an ESA where the assessor basically said she wasn't making enough effort and it looks like they are trying to put her in the applying for jobs group. This is despite the fact that she was working fultime until a couple of years ago, when she got ME and became too ill to keep working!

I highly doubt any fact sheets about ME will make any difference. They or you would be better off contacting the CAB for advice. Their local MP would also probably be able to help.

 

[Trish]

Getting someone from the CAB to fill in the forms for us helped a lot. And a GP report that described what we were unable to do.

If they want a quick and up to date explanation of what ME is and PEM, this paragraph from a paper published this week might be helpful:

Frontiers in Pediatrics
Perspective article: ''Advances in ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future'' by Kenneth Friedman.
Free full text now available. This is the introductory article to a themed edition of the journal by its guest editor. The article gives a history of CFS in the USA and the missteps and lack of funding. It uses research and treatment of HIV/AIDS as a comparison.
Paper here Thread here

Our current understanding of ME/CFS is that it is a complex, chronic, debilitating, physical disease characterized by post-exertional malaise, severe, and debilitating fatigue, cognitive problems, sleep dysfunction, pain, and immune, autonomic, neurological, endocrine, and gastrointestinal symptoms (12). The severity of symptoms varies from day-to-day within the patient, and varies among patients. Severity of disease is graded from patients being mildly affected, through moderately affected, to the severely affected. The severely affected are either house- or bedbound, may be unable to move, speak or tolerate light (13). Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is considered one of the key symptoms of ME/CFS and is defined as the exacerbation of the patient's symptoms following minimal physical or mental activity, occurring hours, days, or weeks after the triggering activity, and lasting for disproportionately long lengths of time (days, weeks, or months).

 

[Sly Saint]

trying to put her in the applying for jobs group

do you mean the Work Related Activity group? If so, they don't make you apply for jobs. The idea is supposedly to get you ready for work.
From my experience you need to really hammer home the being able to do things reliably, safely, of a reasonable standard and in a timely manner (or not as would likely be the case most of the time).

 

[Wits_End]

First a little about me: I'm a single 31 y/o who will soon be living alone in a flat. I have savings but these fall under the limit over which you can't claim certain benefits.
[...]
Also, should I be using my freelance income to declare myself self-employed, and perhaps paying some NI contributions?

Coming to this rather late, I'm afraid, but ... You *have* to register as self-employed within 3 months of starting being freelance (I think it may be debatable whether this is defined as the first time you receive income from it?). HMRC may fine you if you don't.

If you're living on your own, make sure you claim the reductions to which you're entitled, too. I think that's 25% off council tax, and possibly the same amount off your water rates, at least. Every little helps