ME an FM

Hi just sent post but forgot this question (part of my condition). With ME and FM do I claim on mental or physical grounds? ta.

another typical case of the forms having no relevance to the condition.

do both but try and make it clear that it is a physical disease with cognitive aspects - that problems with mental tasks are not because of seperate depression (unless of course they are) but are due to brain malfunctioning

Check out the DLA guide that's available to download from here, which is excellent. It gives very good advice and examples on how to complete the different sections, with examples. Obviously, everyone's different, but the guide is excellent for helping to fill the form in. I saw a CAB advisor when I was doing my renewal, and showed her the form just to check I'd not missed anything or put anything daft, and she said it was the best filled in DLA claim she'd seen - which was largely due to using the guides here.

The best advice I can give is to make notes on a typical day and the kinds of things you have problems with and need help with, and give detailed examples, examples of things that have happened when you've not had help and situations where you have, or could have caused injury etc. to yourself.

sammy wrote:

Hi just sent post but forgot this question (part of my condition). With ME and FM do I claim on mental or physical grounds? ta.

Hi,

Both Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia are classed as physical illnesses by the World Health Organisation in it's International Classification of Diseases.

You should claim on physical health grounds. However, like many chronic illnesses, there can be mental symptoms such as anxiety or depression due for example pain or being stuck indoors for long periods.

So if you have problems like this, you should include them on your claim form in addition to physical problems.

As Bliss has advised, check out the DLA guide and if possible, get some 'face to face' help from your local CAB or similar organisation which provides benefits advice.

Good luck.

Pat

thanks so much Pat