Do you ever wonder how people who claim benefits get so much?

[CreamSoda]

Since my transplant I've received no help from the renal social workers (they all went off sick together and still aren't back 5 months on). I have little money for food and bills, and yet there they are with their designer clothes and 56 inch state of the art tv. Can someone tell me how to do it please!

[craft1948]

You were working a couple of weeks ago............have you given up your job?

[~Wingnut~]

Having been in your position CreamSoda (or rather my husband has been - 2 kidney transplants) I can sympathise with how your feeling. My husband struggled to hold down his job during the day and then go for dialysis (35 mile round trip) 3 times a week, get home about 1am then up at 6am to go to work. Very hard and now seems like another life.
When he had his second transplant it took so long for certain benefits to be put into practice that by the time he went back to work (I was on maternity leave) we were struggling to make ends meet.
The BKPA can sometimes help financially wise if your really struggling so may be worth trying to get your transplant coordinator to put you in touch with them.
Being on dialysis is frigging hard and people who have never been through it can't begin to understand what it is like. I wish you all the best Creamsoda

[anneasquith]

excuse me cream soda. wingnut, has the second transplant worked ?

[bednobs]

renal social workers are not the only route to getting benefits. There are (as far as i know) no govt benefits that are unique to kidney transplants, so other people (benefits advisors; cab) will know what you are entitled to

[~Wingnut~]

Hiya Anne! Yeah it is, although the function has dropped and they are now trying to control his blood pressure better so that he can get as much out of the kidney as possible. It'll be 9 years this July since he had it, but unfortunatley he's had a lot of ups and downs with it. People think once you have the transplant that you have your life back so get on with it but sadly it isn't like that at all. He's very lucky it has lasted this long so far, some people reject the kidney straight away, I can't begin to imagine what that must be like.

[bednobs]

ps this 26k a year thing isn't 26k in cash. The people that get that much probably have most of that paid directly to the landlord for HB

[wolf63]

wingnut - maybe we could 'convince' the AB editorial staff to put a sticky up for organ donation and all the other stuff that can be done when we are still alive - blood, bone marrow etc

Might be a good thing for AB on a business level.

[cazzz1975]

the rare few people living a comfortable lifestyle on benefits are normally the few who commit benefit fraud.

on benefits alone It isnt possible to have the champagne lifestyle that people seem to think is a regular occurance.

[boxtops]

I don't understand why you have to wait for the renal social works - ring the benefits office, look at their website (while you're on-line), ring the CAB, your GP - I don't know your circumstances but couldn't a family member start making enquiries for you?

[sandyRoe]

A single person on Job seekers allowance would get about £65 a week. A couple get about £110. You won't see many 50" televisions bought on that kind of money.

[quinie]

wolf63,several weeks ago I think it was mrs overall? who encouraged people on this site to become donors.She got a good response.I can sympathise with people who have had a transplant. Some people are really well afterwards but some have a struggle-lots of medication etc CreamSoda I hope you keep well - follow the good advice you've been given re benefits.

[mrs_overall]

Yes, it was me who posted the link to the organ donation scheme 4 weeks ago. Several people signed up for it, bless them.

Cream soda, contact your Citizens Advice Bureau for advice on benefits. It is accepted that after a transplant you will not be fit for work for up to 6 months. It will take a while for your meds to be sorted and they alone can make you feel unwell.
I cant understand why you are waiting for one of the renal social workers to come back to work.
You could also check on the benefits website, the Kidney Patient Guide and you local Kidney Patients Association. You have to fight for everything, so get cracking.
Congrats on your transplant (live or cadaveric?). it must be a relief to be off PD.