Welfare rights

If you are employed and become ill with M.E. you may be unable to work for a period of time and you may need help and guidance on accessing benefits.

Action for M.E. produces a range of information sheets which give you details on what benefits are available; help you to decide which may be appropriate for you; and give information on applying and, if necessary, appealing. You can read our guide to benefits in our online information centre and order detailed welfare rights information sheets from our publications list.

Our welfare rights helpline is available for members of Action for M.E. and is able to offer expert information and support:

If you are too ill to work, the helpline advisers can give you further information on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Incapacity Benefit (IB)/ Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support (IS)
If you need help with personal care and getting around advice can be given on Disability Living allowance (DLA)
If you need help with housing costs we can advise on Housing Benefit (HB), Income Support (IS) and Council tax Benefit (CTB)
If you are well enough to carry out some work or are thinking of returning to work, advice can be given on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Disabled Persons Tax Credit (DPTC), Working Tax Credits (WTC) and Permitted Work
You can also get advice on the Disability Discrimination Act, employment or insurance issues, or if you need to appeal against a decision made by the Department of Work and Pensions

If you would like to become a member of Action for M.E. to access the helpline see Join as a member.

See our useful links for details of other organisations that can help with welfare issues.

View a selection of related articles from past issues of InterAction, our quarterly magazine.

Real experiences

Robert
'When my medical examination for incapacity benefit resulted in my benefit being stopped I was told I could appeal and I was determined to do so, and win. This was when I really began to learn about M.E. and the benefits agency system. Action for M.E.'s welfare rights adviser provided me with very useful information and directed me to my local Citizens Advice Bureau, who helped me find out exactly why my benefit had been stopped. This enabled me to see what specific aspects of the agency's decision I could reasonably contest. I had to wait four months for my Hearing to come up and my appearance before the Independent Appeal Tribunal was very stressful. However, I won sufficient points to restart my benefit payments. Life suddenly seemed very much better.'

Rosie
'The first doctor sent to assess me was a specialist in M.E. and clearly believed I was eligible. However, despite no improvement in my condition, twelve years later my benefit was suddenly stopped. A doctor had visited who didn't listen to what I said, wrote virtually nothing on the form and said I had difficulties because I was overweight! I was devastated. We appealed and the tribunal restored most of my previous award of DLA. I had a professional to present my case and my carer went in my place. The stress involved in having all your money taken away and then having to fight to get it back again is awesome.'

Information first produced November 2003. Currently under review.