UK benefits for mentally ill

is anyone here from the UK on benefits for mental illness?
i've been diagnosed schizophrenic, and i can use the computer in a residual period of illness, but when i'm in an episode - not so much. (the auditory hallucinations forced me to justify myself to you guys there. sorry. i ramble a bit)

anyway, my doctor says i should apply for ESA, what used to be incapacity benefit, and maybe even Disability Living Allowance, seein as my mother can't deal with my illness and i think i should live alone, and have a carer or something.

any advice or response welcome.

 

from a different country but as someone who has claimed sickness benefits (a short term illness benefit) under mental health diagnosis..

I've been in flat's where I thought I was in good company, but turned quickly into cabin fever. the same people, the same walls...a lot of it had to do with the general state the house was allowed to be left in. It really got me down some days.

I enjoy your clinical wording, I find voices far too scary to integrate in my day to day life.
Not knowing much about a schizophrenia diagnosis, I think you need to retain independence. A friend who is schizo-affective lives in his own flat. I think he'd find a shared flatting arrangement a bit too stimulating, but given the right people who knows, he's a bit of a recluse so if that would not be good for yourself I think you want to keep in mind how you're going to keep yourself occupied.

I think its very respectful that you are considering your impact on your mum and wish you all the best in finding your own way

 

lostminty i keep cropping up on you on this site! helllo. we might as well associate.
um ... anyway, the cabin fever thing is somethin i worry about, but i'm only 17 and i can be pretty sure that if i was the first person in my group of friends to get my own parent-free place, i would have LOTS of visitors lol. they could smoke, drink etc. in the safety of my house.
i couldnt live with someone i didnt know though.
i would prefer to live alone. for now.

as for my mum, thanks.

 

definitely look into getting some kind of benefits. i have an online friend that is seriously mentally ill and he gets benefits. i'm not exactly sure what he gets... i just know he does.

good luck and take care of yourself as much as you possibly can.

 

i'd like to meet other mentally ill people online. i have msn.
anyone?

 

my friend hasn't been on much.. but i'll ask him about if he'll chat with you. i think he's homeless and not able to use a computer as of lately.

i have some mental health issues myself. i go to therapy at least twice a week. i take meds. i get benefits.

i'm happy to see you and other post. you're not alone in all of this! :grouphug: i'll do what i can from here. i'm always open to just listening (reading) about someones problems.

 

my funding for therapy has for lack of a better word been cut..while being a pretty good welfare state, new zealand seems to lack in the active therapeutic treatment of people on sickness benefits. It's a shame for some people

I came across a pretty interesting forum awhile back called psychosisspirituality..its on yahoo groups, though this forum is far more active. Hey theres your msn handle

 

Hey Jim

I'm from Scotland and am on benefits, although for a physical disability not mental illness. You should apply for DLA, the worst they can do is say no, right? It is split into two components, the mobility component and the care component. I would imagine you may be able to get the care component (about £30 a week). It is to cover any extra cost your illness brings about in every day life, so if your mum or anybody gives you care or takes you places, that can cover it.

The money is not much tbh, but if you do manage to get the benefit it may also help you in getting a place of your own and a carer, as DLA helps you get Housing and Council tax benefit, as well as puts you up on the waiting list if you are going for council housing! I dont know much about about the ESA I'm afraid.

Ever need to talk pm me

 

hi jim. i'm uk. dla is a god send. no one asked to be struck down with these freaking aweful debilating conditions. get all the help you are entitled to. you will need help n advice. the forms are more complicated than they seem at first. can you put up an adrress i'll send you some most excelant links. with schitzo type illness you almost certainly need some help in daily life to fully cope with unique problems these kinda conditions bring with them. honestly matey go for it!!!!

 

Jim: since you're 18, I'd recommend going to connexions, they help a lot with this sort of thing, they can recommend what benefits you're likely to get, and help you fill in the forms etc.

Well, depends on who you get, but most of em are pretty decent folk.