Leaving job due to epilepsy

tomgaa

Hey guys,

My Girlfriend had to leave her job due to epilepsy, she worked in a photography studio, so you can see y. Now she can still work just not anywhere like a photography studio but im just wondering is she entitled to any thing while shes unemployed outside of job seekers benefit?

Ray Palmer

Not that I am aware of and I know the system pretty well. You may be better off asking in the State Benefits section. I actually don't know why she can't stay working in a photography studio?

[(probably incorrect) medical advice removed] and not all epileptics are light sensitive. Is she specifically light sensitive epileptic? Tinted lenses also help some photo sensitive people. Many people live pretty normal lives no bother.

tomgaa

its was the doctor who told her that she cannot work there anymore, shes been ther 6 -7 years but only got diagnosed with epilepsy last october, i presume its because the flashing lights would bring on seizures!

Mrs OBumble

I'm moving to state benefits, there may well be some sort of disability assistance, at very least with the cost of drugs (depending on what she's on) or a bus-pass.

If they don't know, ask the mods if there's a disability forum that it can be moved to.

mrsbyrne

Hi
your girlfriend is entitled to a longterm illness card which will cover all the drugs associated with her epiliepsy. Her Gp should have arranged that for her already.
she should also apply for a medical card to cover her Gp visits.
If she has had to give up work through ill health then she should have applied for illness benefit. If shes unfit for work then she shouldnt be on jobseekers benefit.Im guessing if she has enough stamps for Jobseekers then she should have enough for illness benefit.
No free travel with illness benefit.
god forbid is she were unfit for work still in one years time she could try for invalidity pension or disability allowance. free travel is associated with either of those two.

MouseTail

She will be entitled to Jobseekers benefit straight away. She is fit for (other) work, so illness benefit does not apply.

mrsbyrne

MouseTail wrote: »

She will be entitled to Jobseekers benefit straight away. She is fit for (other) work, so illness benefit does not apply.

It will be up to her GP if she is fit for work or not.
Neither of us are qualified to make that desiccion based on a post in an internet chat room.

maryk123

In fairness your girlfriend sounds like she wants to work so she should go in and discuss her options with social welfare. Some advice given to claim claim claim is not always the right answer. She is not fit for flash photography but is available for other types of work and she should be encouraged rather than being advised claim claim claim. I work with 2 people who have epilepsy and yes they have their problems but most of the time they are fine. Best of luck.

Graces7

tomgaa wrote: »

its was the doctor who told her that she cannot work there anymore, shes been ther 6 -7 years but only got diagnosed with epilepsy last october, i presume its because the flashing lights would bring on seizures!

yes a major trigger

so sorry and it takes time for someone to adjust to all that epilepsy involves especally with eg no driving, and also time to get medication balanced. losing a job is a hard one. hope it gets easier for her.

MouseTail

mrsbyrne wrote: »

It will be up to her GP if she is fit for work or not.
Neither of us are qualified to make that desiccion based on a post in an internet chat room.

My advice was based on the OP, who said the partner could work, just not in present workplace.