Social services help query.

[Motherof3withADHD]

I have had debilitating migrating pain since January. My GP thinks it’s RA due to blood results and symptoms so has referred me to MSKCATS and rheumatology. I’m also on a silly amount of pain killers that barely help the pain.
I was considering calling social services for help as I can’t even pick up clothes to do washing or hold a hoover to clean. My kids are old enough to clean up after them selves and cook ect. But I can’t expect them to do it all. My ex helps a lot, we are best friends and were together a long time so he helps me wash and things. But I don’t want to put all this on him either.
would social services help with these things to alleviate the stress it’s putting on my family?
would they even consider it if I don’t have a diagnosis yet?
I was working up untill 2 months ago when things got really bad. I’m suppose to be starting an office job on Monday, which I think I’ll manage as the office is Tiny and I can still use a computer but can’t do the working away which work is fine with. I’m a tad worried I won’t be able to do it but I don’t want to not even try.
I hope this all makes sense. And any advice would be greatly appreciated.

That's not for SS. Maybe look getting at an OT assessment to find ways to make life easier for you? If your DC are doing a lot maybe a referral to Young Carers would be good for support for them?

What’s an OT Assesment? I read online social services can provide home help which is why I assumed. Or they do an Assesment at least.

You can probably claim PIP and that may allow you to pay for some home help. You could ask Adult Social care for an assessment of your needs and they may know of other services that may help.

Also, my kids are under young carers anyway due to something else. They never made use of it as it just didn’t interest them. Our extended family takes them out a lot and they are at an age where their free time is their social time x

I have RA. I remember well the pain and inability to cope with every day things. I genuinely couldn't imagine not being in pain especially as the very strong pain killers were as good as sugar cubes. At my lowest point I was crawling along the floor trying to get my two girls ready for nursery as I had to go to work, I don't know why I didn't let myself rest, I suppose I was afraid if I stopped I'd never start again (I didn't know what was causing the pain at this point as I was waiting for my appointment)

Anyway, I'm assuming from what you've said you're waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist? Once I was diagnosed and put on immune suppressing medication I pretty much got my life back. I still can't do cartwheels but I can function just fine and nobody would know I have this terrible illness unless I told them. What I'm saying is, if you can do whatever possible to get in front of a rheumatologist as this could very quickly change your life and you won't need that help. Very best of luck.

This is where you apply for PIP. You don't need a diagnosis but you do need letters or reports from and involved doctors and as much evidence as possible as to how it affects your day to day living. Be prepared for it to be rejected and then you'll need to appeal. This appears to be standard practice nowadays.

Social services rarely provide home helps now. They provide carers for people who need help with personal care.
Home helps are usually private and there are plenty of private care agencies around so your best bet is to contact one of those or advertise find someone yourself. As PP said you could apply for PIP to help with the cost of this.

But you also need to find out what's causing these problems and get onto the right treatment to make your life better.

As far as I am aware, even if you get an assessment for home help, people now have to pay for these things. You certainly do around here

I don’t really want to apply for PIP, my sister got it after a really long battle, she’s down syndrome, has RA, Kawasaki disease, heart problems and a mind if a child at 26 and can’t look after her self at all. It took 6 years all together for her to finally get pip and she only ever got low dla. I’m a lot more capable than her so can’t see me being approved. Plus, I know people who have claimed pip then succumb to their ailments and become house bound. I don’t want to do that. I want to live with the ability to grow and not just succumb to it if that makes sense. I’ll look into the care from a private source I just know I won’t be able to afford it 😬.