Another very successful conference was held at Imperial College London with speakers from the UK, USA and Europe.  Delegates were able to meet and network with other groups and individuals and it was great to put faces to names.  There was a lot of information available from various exhibitors and FMA UK would like to thank our sponsors Adjustamatic Beds.

Dr. Moira Henderson gave a very informative presentation on the Government Perspective on fibromyalgia as well as an insight into benefit claims.  

The Government recognises fibromyalgia and other chronic fatigue syndromes as real and potentially disabling conditions. The Department for Work and Pensions perspective is in relation to state sickness and disability benefits; but the Department of Health also the challenges of chronic fatigue syndromes, as demonstrated by the recent allocation of £8 million for research, and for provision of effective management of the condition. 

In terms of state benefits, the Government remains committed to enabling people to remain in or return to work where possible; and the Incapacity Benefit reforms currently being piloted aim to provide additional help and support for people of working age with disabling conditions. Being in work can help to reduce social exclusion and social isolation, and to increase a person’s sense of achievement and self-esteem; and all of these can contribute towards development of positive coping strategies. But the Government recognises that not every person with a disability will be able to work, so the safeguard of state sickness and incapacity benefits continues to exist. And disability benefits also continue to exist, for those who have significant problems with self-care or restricted mobility. 

Applying for state sickness or disability benefits can be a daunting process, involving completion of lengthy claim forms, and often also attending for a medical assessment.

The two main benefits people with fibromyalgia are likely to consider claiming are Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance. Each benefit has its own entitlement criteria, laid down in law. Understanding the entitlement criteria is useful when completing claim forms, enabling people to focus on and provide the right information which will help the Department for Work and Pensions decision makers to decide the claim. And understanding the benefit decision making process can help to make the whole procedure a less daunting experience.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsive to feedback from benefit claimants about the processes, and there is always work in hand to improve them.