a totaly new area for me, my wife is suffering from arthritus which is progresively getting worse to the point she may have to give up work and possibly driving. The main issue is with her hands which the type of work she does is extremely important. My question is what benefits if any would she be entitled to ?? we still have a few years left on our mortgage and we just couldnt cope on one wage, i must point out that we have both worked all our lives (we are in our fifties) and have never yet claimed a penny.
it depends how she is affected really.
possibilities include:
disability living allowance
employment support allowance
Although (depending on who gets in the next government) perhaps it is better she starts thinking about what type of job she COULD do, as just being unable to do your current job doesn't necessarily entitle you to anything, if you could still work doing something else.
I am in the same position (RA diagnosed at 24) so i had to change my career plan (i was working on a ward as a nurse) and do training for a job that i would be able to do
Ditto I suppose. I have foot problems, and occupational hazard I guess, but if I can't get them sorted, it just prevents me doing the job I have now. In theory I could lose it, but as far as working is concerned, I just can't do what I do now - doesn't stop me doing things I can do (assuming I get a chance at my age)