LUPUS! Does anyone know of that sort of help is out there?

[AnotherDay2]

I have a relative who has been suffering from very severe Lupus effects for many years now. She is unable to work and is mostly housebound and generally socially isolated. I am very worried about her.

Does anyone know of how to get her some sort of help, in the sense of support groups and charities and the like.

She also isn’t on benefits and is unable to earn. Does anyone know of any welfare rights people who may be willing to help apply for her and fight battles with the DWP?

It all seems very daunting and overwhelming at the moment. Please help!???

Try Lupus UK 01708 731251. They have lots of info on local support, benefits, etc.

Are you sure they help with benefits?

Brilliant, thank you!

Try here -

www.facebook.com/groups/lupussupportuk/?ref=sharewww.facebook.com/groups/lupussupportuk/?ref=share&exp=9594

I have lupus and get enhanced rates of Pip long term / ongoing. There are lots of posts about claiming PIP in the group and people who can advise.

Anyone else with info on this, it is desperately needed and very welcome!

Yes. Their website signpists to everything you may need.,

Signposts 😟

If she is under state pension age and the lupus affects her daily living activities and/ or mobility she can apply for PIP. If she has savings under 16k then she can also claim Universal credit potentially with an extra amount for being unable to work after she has been assessed. What is she living off at the moment?

I should also add, it does not have to be a specialized Lupus organization to help complete a PIP form as it is not dependent on diagnosis but rather how the illness affects her. So an organisation like CAB or Age Uk ( if she is over 50) may be able to help with completion of the form. To claim Universal Credit it is very easy to do online of Citizens advise have a designated team of people who can help her set up the claim and support her through to first payment. For a PIP form she will need as much recent relevant medical evidence from specialist, GP, occupational therapist etc as possible and for UC she will need a sick note. If she has never had an OT assessment that would be something to look into as there is lots they can look into around the home to make life easier, also an adult social care assessment if she needs carers.

maybe find out your local disability support type charity, they often help with PIP applications even before someone is registered disabled or necessitating those sort of benefits.

Her local authority may have a welfare rights team to help with income maximisation.

This is all so extremely helpful, thank you so much, I am ever so grateful.

Trying to gather as much info as possible to sort this out once and for all… please as many people as have info on this continue to chime in… I know many minds are better than one and there is a lot of experience on this forum.