New to benefits

blue_zebra

Hi I'm from the Midlands. I have ehlers danlos syndrome, dysautonomia, irlens syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia and general anxiety with depression. These are a few of my comorbid conditions. I am also a mum to a 10 year old boy who is autistic. I have had a few jobs that I've enjoyed including teaching children and adult science with special educational needs. I currently am too poorly to work and volunteer with Ehlers Danlos Support UK. I attend many appointments due to my conditions and am currently on benefits to try and support me and my son financially. So I could use all the support and advice I can get. 

JennysDad

Hello @blue_zebra and a warm welcome to the community. Good to have you with us.
You've certainly got more than your fair share to cope with, haven't you? So let's see what we can do to help.
First, we're here to listen and to chat. Everyone here is connected by disability, whether through being disabled themselves, having disabled partners, children, siblings and other loved ones, so you will find people here who can and will relate to what you are going through.
We're also here to offer advice and support wherever we can, and have specialists in most fields.
Can you tell us anything about the kind of support and advice that you're looking for? I promise we will do our very best to oblige.
Warmest best wishes to you
Richard @JennysDad

blue_zebra

Benefits mainly - I've been told to apply for pip but I've heard so many bad things! I'm currently in the process of filling out a capability to work questionnaire too. It's all new to me really as I've always worked or studied. But I need the financial security. Now more than ever. It would be great to know what I'm entitled too in terms of extra benefits, even aids at home, if they are available. Blue badges, toilet keys etc. 

Pippa_Alumni

Hi @blue_zebra, and welcome! Have you tried the online benefits calculator? It's a good starting point for seeing what you may be able to claim.

JennysDad

Hello @blue_zebra and it is good to hear from you again. And what a lovely photo too!
So, yes, benefits:) It's perhaps worth keeping in mind that the only stories about assessments that we usually get to see are stories where something has gone wrong. That doesn't tell us about how many go well.
We have an array of PIP resources on site, and I would recommend the first three in particular in our Talk about PIP/DLA thread. It would also probably be worth your while to try out the online benefits calculator.
Help with filling out forms is probably best obtained through an organisation that can offer you face to face interaction with someone, say at the Citizens' Advice Bureau or other welfare agency, but if that presents difficulties I believe we can help through our emergency phone line.
There is also the Independent Living and Social care forum which can point you in the right direction for things like the blue badge and motability.
Quite a chunk there, I think. Perhaps you could have a glance through and get back to me? No hurry, no pressure - we're here for so long as you might need us:)
Warmest best wishes,
Richard
@JennysDad