Advanced arthritis both hands benefit advice

[sidley]

Hello there,

 

My wife (62) has advanced arthritis on both hands and wrists (inherited from her mother's side of the family).

 

She left her job as a youth carer in January of this year because amongst other issues with her inability to work they pushed her into office and admin. However, with her arthritis, writing or using computers became impossible. As nearly all jobs available requires some use of hands, which she is unable to do, what benefits would be available to her. Does my wife qualify for anything?

 

Other info.

She does have arthritis in all areas of her body, but for example she is able to walk reasonable distances, sit down comfortably for reasonable lengths of time, etc.

She also suffers from psoriasis (which may have played a part in her condition).

 

A friend of hers owns a wine bar and offered her a job (not too taxing) but it required her to carry wine bottles and glass which was OK-ish for the first 60 mins but then became impossible for her to do.

 

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

 

cheers

sidley

[unclebulgaria67]

PIP (Personal independence payments) ?

Whether she would qualify after assessment, cannot answer.

 

Go to Job Centre and book an appointment with a Disability Employment Advisor.  Perhaps she can then discuss help available.

 

 

 

 

 

[sidley]

Thanks Unclebulgaria,

 

We, obviously, need advice. Who would be the best people to go to?  CAB for example?

 

As I said her hands (just google OA hands worst deformities - you will get an idea of how bad she is) are so disabling that she can still dress herself for example, but then needs to rest her hands for an hour or so afterwards. I can't think of any job where you don't need to use your hands! (opening doors, using phones, computers, paperwork, etc). Nor can I imagine an employer saying "you've done 60 mins work today - now have the rest of the day off on full pay"

 

cheers

 

sidley