Claiming benefits while working with MS

Hi there @Greeny,

Thank you for opening up so honestly, it’s incredibly hard to juggle work, a chronic illness, and financial stress all at once. The benefits system can be really difficult to deal with, especially when it feels like you're being penalized for trying to keep working, even when that work comes at a cost to your health. You’ve clearly done your best to stay afloat, and it can be so disheartening when you’re told you don’t qualify for support simply because you’re managing to work at all.

Others in the MS community might have missed this post, so I'd like to tag them to bring this to their attention. Many members here have been through similar situations and might have advice on how they pushed through, whether that’s through appeals, getting support from a benefits advisor, or simply learning what to say (and not say) during the process:

Have you been able to access any financial support while working part-time with MS?

Did you need to appeal a benefits decision, and what helped you through that process?

Are there specific organizations, advisors, or online resources that made a difference?

@Applepie @chewchew @Tommotoo @abes232s @Yank34 @Christina1958 @Rolley @Passfis @Pyjamaqueen @KarenS @Pebbles @sfitzbro @DAVE64 @bambi13 @bearskin @Juliette @DoloresMawhinney @Sueharmonypuss @Bigfofo @Charlie74 @Lynn49 @kathy52 @Belindabee @Missy1977 @Rhubarb @Shanka1974 @Charlee73 @ellesse @harpingmad @Bailey123 @CathBriggs @Lina679 @eastendtrace @Smudge12 @animalsdelight @adreeves @FredaBurke @MzzBee @Michelle47 @Marina57 @Kazzythompson2013 @Linzij @emc1cle @Debraf @Alvina @Desertflower @Peppermintangie @Hardeepb @Sheridan @Daisybuster @ChantelleA @Tracey961 @Julesmcguire @Nicolah6869 @Jackie# @M.swarrior @hayles @Luckie1 @Susiek @Julie52 @misean69 @Doitforkyle @David1970 @Greeny @Sonialb @LindaBlacker @Loonylou @Garyrobert @Braveheart180 @Cazbarr57 @thembrough @Bern50 @Iamsue @johnathanmac @Rendall @Helen0604 @Lorraineredmond @StevieC @Madmax1 @AlexBolland @Jillytots @JoMcGowa @cwright17 @Nicolamennell @Jennychalk @KatieD @Chrissyzam @Mandizf @Sbw280874 @Mcdill1983 @Carragher11 @Rose1962 @ColinSalter @Byojaxs @Caz1979 @Susie38 @Elk217015 @williamwill009 @StemCell07

If you’ve been through this or are currently dealing with it, your experience could really help someone else feel less alone.

Take care,

Somya from the Carenity team 🌼