Benefits and Allowances for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment is the main benefit for working-age adults with a long-term health condition or disability. You can apply if you are aged 16 or over and under State Pension age, and have had difficulties with daily living or getting around for at least three months, with those difficulties expected to continue for at least another nine months.

PIP has two parts. The daily living part covers help with preparing food, washing, dressing, managing medication, communicating and dealing with money. The mobility part covers planning journeys or moving around. Each part is paid at either a standard or enhanced rate. Current weekly rates are listed on GOV.UK.

After you apply, you will usually complete a detailed form and attend an assessment with a health professional. Assessments may take place by phone, video call or in person. Awards are reviewed periodically, with the length depending on whether your condition is likely to change.

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Other benefits you may be able to claim

Disability Living Allowance has been replaced by PIP for adults. Children under 16 can still claim DLA. In Scotland, DLA and PIP have been replaced by Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment, run by Social Security Scotland. If you live in Scotland, mygov.scot has details.

If you are over State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision, Attendance Allowance may be the right benefit rather than PIP. It is paid at two rates depending on whether you need help during the day, at night, or both. There is no mobility element.

If fibromyalgia limits what you can do at work, or stops you working altogether, you may be able to claim Universal Credit. Within a claim, you can ask for a Work Capability Assessment. Depending on the outcome, you may be placed in a group with limited capability for work, or limited capability for work and work-related activity: the second usually means a higher payment and no requirement to look for work.

Older-style benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance still exist for some legacy claims, but most new claims go through Universal Credit. "New style" ESA is based on your National Insurance record. If you are already on ESA, tax credits or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will be moved to Universal Credit as part of managed migration. If you are employed and off sick, your employer should pay Statutory Sick Pay for up to 28 weeks, provided you meet the earnings rules.

If a partner, relative or friend looks after you for a substantial amount of time each week, they may be able to claim Carer's Allowance. In Scotland, those receiving Carer's Allowance also get the Carer's Allowance Supplement, paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland.

Other practical help includes: Council Tax Reduction; housing support through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit; the Blue Badge scheme (which now considers hidden disabilities including pain and fatigue); disabled person's railcard or bus pass; Access to Work for equipment, support workers or travel costs; and help with NHS costs including prescriptions and dental treatment.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Fibromyalgia and the assessment process

Fibromyalgia symptoms vary from day to day, which makes assessments challenging. The DWP looks at how your condition affects you on most days, not just on a good day or a bad one. A few things help:

• Describe what actually happens when you try everyday tasks, including pain, fatigue, brain fog and recovery time afterwards.
• Mention any aids you use: perching stool, grab rails, jar openers, pill organisers, walking aids.
• Say what help you get from other people, including prompting, reminders and physical support.
• Provide supporting evidence: letters from your GP, rheumatologist or pain clinic, medication lists, therapy notes.
• Keep a short symptom diary for a couple of weeks before you apply.

If you are turned down

Many fibromyalgia claims are refused at first and then succeed later. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month. If that does not change the outcome, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, your local welfare rights service, and disability charities such as Scope and Turn2us. Versus Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Action UK publish guides aimed at people with conditions like fibromyalgia. For current rates, eligibility rules and application forms, GOV.UK is the official source in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; mygov.scot covers benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Flare Up Analyser lets you describe your current flare up and we will help you identify likely triggers and what might ease it. Try it now →