This information is about entitlements and benefits that may be available for people with epilepsy who live in England.
If you have epilepsy and live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, Epilepsy Action has different information available for you.
If you live outside the UK, you can find out about entitlements in your country by contacting your local epilepsy group.
Contents
Free prescriptions
The Disabled Persons Railcard
Free bus fares
Access to work
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance (AA)
Organisations that offer benefits advice
Free prescriptions
If you have epilepsy and take epilepsy medicines, you are entitled to free prescriptions. This is for all your prescription medicines, not just your epilepsy medicines.
How to get free prescriptions
To claim free prescriptions, ask your GP or hospital doctor for application form FP92A. You need to fill in parts 1 and 2. Your hospital doctor, GP or a member of staff at your GP surgery, will sign to confirm that the information you have given is correct. They will then send for an exemption certificate for you.
Reclaiming prescription costs
Until you have your exemption certificate, you will have to pay for your prescriptions. You will be able to claim the money back, once you have your exemption certificate. To do this, ask the pharmacist for a receipt form FP57 when you pay for the prescription. There is information on FP57 that tells you how to claim the money back.
For more information about prescription charges contact NHS Choices
Tel: 0845 850 1166
Website: www.nhs.uk
The Disabled Persons Railcard
If you have epilepsy, you are eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard if you either:
- still have seizures even though you take epilepsy medicine; or
- you are not allowed to drive because of your epilepsy.
You will need to pay for a Disabled Person’s Railcard, but it will save you money if you regularly travel by train.
Adults get a discount of up to a third on a range of rail tickets. One adult travelling with you will get the same discount as you.
Children aged from five to 15 years will pay the normal child’s train fare. However, if a child has a Disabled Person’s Railcard, one adult who is travelling with them can claim a discount of one third off their own adult’s fare.
You can get an application form for a Disabled Person’s Railcard from any of the following places.
- Some railway stations
- www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
- Rail Travel made Easy, tel: 0845 605 0525
- Epilepsy Action
Free bus travel
If you have epilepsy, you are eligible for a free bus pass if you would be refused a driving licence if you applied for one. You are not eligible to hold a free bus pass just because you have epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action has more information about epilepsy and driving.
A free bus pass can be used for free travel in England between 9.30am and 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. In some areas, you may also be able to travel free at other times. You may also get reduced local rail fares.
For more information about how to get your free bus pass, contact your local council or your local passenger transport authority. You can find details of these in your local Phone Book, or by contacting Epilepsy Action, freephone 0808 800 5050.
Alternatively, a list of local councils in England is on the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.uk
If you live within one of the following areas, contact your local passenger transport authority:
- Greater Manchester
Tel: 0161 244 1000
Website: www.tfgm.com - Merseyside
Tel: 0151 227 5181
Website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk - South Yorkshire
Tel: 01709 515 151
Website: www.travelsouthyorkshire.com - Tyne and Wear
Tel: 0191 202 0747
Website: www.nexus.org.uk - West Midlands
Tel: 0845 303 6760
Website: www.networkwestmidlands.com - West Yorkshire
Tel: 0113 245 7676
Website: www.wymetro.com
Bus passes in London - the Freedom pass
If you are eligible for a free bus pass and you live in Greater London, you can apply for a FreedomPass.This gives you free travel on the entire Transport for London network. On most services, you can use the pass at any time. On other services, you may only use it at certain times.
Contact FreedomPass for more information about using the pass and how to apply:
Tel: 0845 275 7054
Website: www.freedompass.org
Some people who can’t drive because they have epilepsy, may be entitled to help with the additional costs of travel to and from work, and also travelling while at work. This comes under the Access to Work scheme.
You apply by ringing the number for England which is 020 8426 3110.
The interview is conducted over the phone and will take about 15 – 20 minutes. It is possible to ask for a call back.
More information on the Access to Work scheme: www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview
Welfare benefits
If you have difficult to control epilepsy or other disabilities, you may be entitled to receive certain welfare benefits. These include:
- Disability Living Allowance (for people under 65)
- Personal Independence Payment
- Changes from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance (for people age 65 and over)
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is awarded to children and adults aged 64 or under, who have care needs and/or mobility needs. DLA is paid at different rates depending on how your disability affects you. To qualify, you must have needed help for at least three months because of a severe physical or mental illness or disability. You should need this help for at least another six months.
DLA is tax-free and isn’t affected by any other income or savings that you have. It is paid on top of any other earnings or income.
Epilepsy Action has more information about claiming DLA.
Personal Independence Payment
From 2013 a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace Disability Living Allowance for disabled people aged 16 to 64.
Your entitlement to PIP isn’t based on your disability, but the help you may need because of your condition or disability. Your personal circumstances are taken into account and the impact that your condition or disability has on your ability to live independently.
The payment is tax-free and isn’t affected by any other income or savings that you have. It is paid on top of any other earnings or income, so you can claim it whether you are in or out of work.
Changes from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment
Aged under 16
There is no change for Disability Living Allowance for children up to 16 years of age - this will continue.
Aged 16 to 64
In the future, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for everyone aged 16 to 64.
If you already claim DLA, you don't need to do anything now. The Department for Work and Pensions will contact you between 2013 and 2016, to let you know when your DLA will stop. They will tell you when and how you should make a claim for PIP.
Aged 65 or over
If you are aged 65 and receive Disability Living Allowance, this will continue, as long as you still meet the entitlement conditions. You will not need to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
More information about PIP is available from the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.uk
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance (AA) is awarded to adults aged 65 or over who need help with personal care, or supervision or watching over to keep them safe. It is paid at different rates depending on how the person’s disability affects them.
AA is tax-free and isn’t usually affected by any other income or savings that you have. It is paid on top of any other earnings or income.
If you get AA, you will not be affected by the introduction of Personal Independence Payment.
More information about Attendance Allowance is available from the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.uk
Organisations that offer benefits advice
Benefit Enquiry Line
A confidential telephone advice and information service, providing general advice on benefits. They can also help you fill out claim forms for benefits.
Helps with:
- finding out if you can make a claim
- making a claim.
Freephone: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Cerebra
Cerebra have a free guide which takes you through each stage of applying for Disability Living Allowance for children.
Helps with:
- making a claim for a child.
Tel: 0800 328 1159
Website: www.cerebra.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB gives free, confidential, impartial and independent advice about your rights, including benefits. They can also help you fill out claim forms for benefits.
Helps with:
- finding out if you can make a claim
- making a claim
- appealing against a decision about your benefits.
Tel: 08444 111 444 (for advice by telephone)
Tel: 0207 833 2181 (for details of your local branch)
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk/england
Community Legal Advice
A free and confidential advice service paid for by legal aid. They offer advice about benefits. They can also give you details of solicitors in England.
Helps with:
- appealing against a decision about your benefits.
Tel: 0845 345 4345
Tel: 0845 609 6677 (for people who have problems speaking or hearing)
DIAL UK
Disability Information and Advice Line services, run by and for disabled people. They may be able to refer you to someone who can help you fill out claim forms for benefits (provided there is someone in your area).
Helps with:
- making a claim.
Freephone: 0808 800 3333 (to find your local group)
Website: www.scope.org.uk/dial
Directgov
This website has lots of information about all the different benefits that are available.
Helps with:
- finding out if you can make a claim.
Website: www.direct.gov.uk (go to the Money, tax and benefits section)
Disability Rights UK
This website has a number of free factsheets you can download. It offers basic information about benefits, tax credits, social care and other disability related issues for claimants and advisers.
Helps with:
- finding out if you can make a claim.
Website: www.disabilityrightsuk.org (go to the Ways we can help section)
Turn2us
A confidential service which helps you to find out about benefits and grants you may be entitled to.
Helps with:
- finding out if you can make a claim.
Freephone: 0808 802 2000
Website: www.turn2us.org.uk
If you would like to see this information with references, visit the Advice and Information references section of our website. See Benefits in England.
Epilepsy Action would like to thank Wendy Collins, Benefits Trainer, for her contribution to this information.
Wendy Collins has no conflict of interest to declare.
This information has been produced under the terms of The Information Standard.
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Updated October 2012To be reviewed October 2014
Comments: read the 34 comments or add yours
Comments
I'm asking this on behalf of my future brother in law who has been epileptic for almost 20 years(we think it began aged 13/14) he experiences all types of seizures - grand mal, absences, etc etc.He currently lives with his mother who is now in her mid-60's and given his size (he is well over 6ft, 17stone) he has started to express concern that he is too much for her to deal with and he wants to look into supported living of some kind. No matter what i search for online I keep coming back to care homes for the elderly and whilst i'm sure they are nice I'm trying to find somewhere where they not only understand his medical issues but that will have people in his age group as he seems to be severely lacking in general social skills which we think is a combination of spending so much time with only a handful of people (he barely gets out unless he had a big seizure as the 2 days after he generally is seizure free) and undiagnosed learning difficulties. His mum is doing the best she can but she has a "fear" nobody will look after him properly so i'm trying to gather information about potential options and maybe even some kind of day time group he could spend time with to give him new experiences but also give her a mini break. Any information or advice anyone has would be lovely thanks!
Hi Lisa
Here are some links to organisations that offer accommodation to people with epilepsy.
Residential
Halfway house/sheltered accommodation:
For local housing schemes, you can contact your local Housing Office. They will have details of both council and private services.
You might also find it helpful to log on to our on-line community, Forum4e. Some of the members may have suggestions of other places that offer accommodation for people with epilepsy.
I hope this information helps.
Advice and Information Team
Hiya just wanted some advice i was diagnosed with epilepsy in october im a single mum with 3 children, i had to leave work as they were totally not understanding at all so claimed benefits (DLA) iv just been kicked off this and told to go back to work despite the fact that iv only been diagnosed since october. I tried to explain that im still having fits and that my medication is not up to full dose yet but they said tough!!! any advice would be greatly recieved x x x
Hi
This is a difficult one, as you can actually claim DLA and work, so long as you have daily care or mobility needs. I think you need some expert advice, possibly from Citizens Advice or Turn2us. Citizens Advice can help you with an appeal against the DLA decision, if they think you qualify. Citizen’s Advice and Turn2us can also tell you about unemployment benefits and look at whether there any benefits you can claim on income, rather than epilepsy grounds.
Kathy
Advice and Information Team
Hiya i meant employment and support allowance, i do also get dla also x x
Hello,
I need advise i am 36 years old i have had frontal lobe epilepsy since i was 10 i have grandmal & petiemal seizours. I do receive DLA i get the high care compontet but the lower rate with mobility. I have seizours freqent my husband is my main carer i have been trying to get the high mobility rate as i cannot leave my home at pressent as we have no car i need to be acompained where ever i go as do have habit of dropping at the worst of times. I am very worried about the pressure that my husband is under. I no im becoming very hard to live i feel very depressed as i carnt leave my home. Im trying not to take it out on my husband but i no that im not making it easy. I just wanted to ask is there any help i can get as far as help with a mobility car gos.
Please my husband & i do need advice & a bit of support.
Hi
What a lot a pressure you and your husband must be under. It must be so difficult for you both.
For advice and help with your situation, you may wish to contact welfare rights organisations. Such organisations can check you are getting the correct level of the DLA mobility and see if there is other possible mobility support. For example the Citizens Advise Bureau (CAB) or DIAL UK can offer advice on welfare benefits and other services, such as: community care, help with living independently and mobility and transport issues.
If you are going to review your DLA, you may wish to receive our publication a Guide to completing the Disability Living Allowance (adults) form for people with epilepsy. You can order this from our shop, or by ringing the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.
As well as looking into your benefits, you could see if there is any support for your husband as he is your main carer. The charity Carers UK, know all about the pressure couples face, when one of them becomes a carer. They can help look into the care and support that may be available for you both.
Finally, if you’d would like to speak to one of our adviser about this and how you are feeling, please contact them on the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Or you can email them at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
hi there i had a accident at work almost 5 yrs ago,where i fell 20ft down a catchpit on my headon solid concrete.i was not knocked out but remember seeing a white flash in front of my eyes.i suffered headaches for a while which i shrugged off with paracetamol.then 6 mnths down the line i had a massive clonic tonic siezure that lasted 40 mins.was refered for tests whichconfirmed activity where i had banged my head.i take keppra 2000mg per day and lamactil 500mg per day split morning and evening.i have always worked so being at home i got depresssion asi was on very good wages.so also i take citropram 10mg in evening for my depression but sadly i now have erectile dysfunction due to the medication and this has severley affected my marraige as my wife is only36.we have not had sex for nearly 5 yrs now but my gp will not prescribe me viagra.my wife is ready to leave me i dont blame her please help
Help me please! I work and I am only have fits at home asleep! I have been homeless living all over and have forgot what it's like to not feel so low because staying here and there I fear will kill me! My X got pregnant with my 14 year work friend,I went and have been homeless from that day! I was very ill but work goes on ,I am a community worker and fear I would run away if ill at work,I get massive depress all the time because I worry about being on the st with my pills! My history in care does not help when asking for help,I am forty two and people still never know what illness I have,epilepsy my doctor just about knows! But he letting me sleep like this,I cannot face the council alone......:..
Hi David
I’m sorry to hear about the situation you’re in. It must be very difficult for you staying in different places and not sleeping well can be a trigger of seizures for some people.
Do you think that your situation could be increasing the risk of more seizures? If you have a social worker, they may be able to help you. If you don’t have a social worker, you could contact Disability Law Services. They provide advice about community care. This service is run by, and for, disabled people.
As someone with epilepsy, you would be entitled to this service. They can give you advice about the law and what you might expect from the social services. Also on Direct.gov website there is information about homelessness and getting help from your council. This section of their website will direct you to other places where you should be able to get some help, such as Shelter.
Advice and Information Team.
Hi, My 5 yr old son has eplilepsy but generally only has seizures early in the morning. The seizures can last up to 20mins and we have to administer Midazolam to control the seizure. We've had to replace his mattress a few times now after he's messed himself, and now I have a matress protector. We've had very little advice about how we as a family care for him. I'm particularly worried that I won't wake up when he has a seizure. Hopefully his daily drugs will settle and he'll be seizure free but as he grows no doubt there will be times when the balance will be wrong and he'll fit again. I know that there are alarm mattresses but they are so expensive - are there any organisations that loan these out at all?
Also he attends swimming lessons at school, but the school have asked if we can provide a pool spotter for him as they don't have enough staff for this. Is this a normal request and should we be aasked to do this?
Hi. Lots of parents worry that they won’t hear their child having a seizure. There are different alarms that can alert you if someone is having a seizure in bed. The Disabled Living Foundationcan let you know about different types and where you can get them.
Unfortunately, as you say, bed alarms can be very expensive and we’re not aware of any organisations that loan them out. You could ask you son’s epilepsy nurse if they are aware of anyone who can help. You could also contact the organisation Turn2us. They can help you find out if there are any grants or benefits which may help you to pay for an alarm.
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had very little advice about how to care for your son. Does your son have an epilepsy nurse that you can talk to? If not, please contact the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050 and we will try to help you further with this.
If you live in England, your son is covered by the Equality Act. This means that his school must make reasonable adjustments to make sure that he is not treated unfairly for reasons related to his epilepsy.
You could ask the school why they think it’s necessary for your son to have his own spotter when swimming, as he generally only has seizures early in the morning. And, all children who are in the water should be being watched carefully anyway.
If the school can say why your son needs his own spotter, it may be reasonable for them to ask if you can provide this. But, if you are not able to, the school should look for other ways around this. For example, is there a parent volunteer who could do this?
You may find it helpful to talk to other parents of children with epilepsy, to see if anybody else has had a similar situation and find out how they dealt with it. You can contact other parents on our online community, forum4e.
Advice and Information Team
my son has epilepsy, he used to work but due to the illness he had to leave. he is now depresses but has recently had a counselling course which he says has helped him greatly. i have recently heard that there is funding to support sufferers who wish to go on holiday. is there any advice that you could give me regarding this. thankyou.
Hi. We’re not aware of any funding for holidays specifically for people with epilepsy. However, you could find out if you could access any grants on the Turn2us website. They have a database of over 3,000 charitable funds offering welfare and educational grants.
Hope that helps.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team
On this website you have spoken about a spotter for whilst your child is asleep. Could you please advise the best place to buy these? I am not over affluent but would save and push myself to ensure my son is safe at all time. We are still currently getting his epilepsy under control and we are not yet aware the type he has but all the fits have been whilst he has been in bed.
Hi Stacey. You could contact the Disabled Living Foundation for more information about monitors and alarms. It's important to get something that would work for the type of seizures your daughter has. You might want to talk it over with your daughter's doctor or epilepsy nurse.
The organisation Turn2us might be able to tell you if there are any grants available.
Shelley
Advice and Information Team
My name is Deborah I'm 36 I've ad epilepsy for bout 30 years now I can't drive, I ave a free bus pass an free precription but that's all I don't ave a lot of seizures but I ave a lot of trances where I blank out for few seconds, I got in touch with dla last year but not entitled to anything else as it all changed an tell me if I'm entitled to anything please thank you
hi,
My boyfriend has an epilepsy for over 5 years now, we both have full time jobs, but we only able to work in the afternoons as he normally have his fits in the morning, i had to change my shifts to afternoons because he needs care when he is fitting, usually after his fit, he looks disorientated and do some weird/dangerous staff like- getting in to bath and turn the hot water on, trying to walk out the windows! also he need someone to cook or feed him as he sometimes is not able to hold his spoon or cook, he once tried to cook a meal but then drop a hot pan and burn his feet that when i had to change my hrs and also had to step down from a supervisor to a lower pay. sometimes we both are late to work or he is not attending at all, we cant progress in the company at all as we both not able the morning hrs... im scared that if we keep coming late to work due my boyfriends fit they can dismiss us
:( we planing to buy a house to have something good in our life but its so hard to get the deposit together, my boyfriend needs a daily care in the mornings, and he needs me to prepare him daily meals. i start work at 13.30 and he start at 16.00 he is not able to drive anymore and he has a free bus pass but sometimes its too dangerous for him to get a bus as he have small fits,so he have to order a taxi which he has to pay £12 one way. Please advise me is the any allowances we could claim like DLA ?
Thank you.
Hi. It certainly sounds like you are finding things difficult at the moment.
Some people with epilepsy are entitled to receive Disability Living Allowance. You can find more information about this on our website. If you would like to receive a guide to completing the Disability Living Allowance form, please contact the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050, email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk. To find out if there are any other benefits you may be entitled to, you could contact the Benefits Enquiry Line, freephone 0800 882 200.
I can appreciate that you and your boyfriend are worried about losing your jobs. You may find it helpful to know that, in England, Scotland and Wales, people with epilepsy and people who care for them are covered by the Equality Act. This makes it illegal for people to treat them unfairly because of their epilepsy. The Equality Act means that employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to help people with epilepsy stay in work. You can find more information here: Epilepsy and the Equality Act.
Finally, as your boyfriend’s seizures are having such an effect on his daily life, has he spoken to his epilepsy specialist about his treatment? The specialist may suggest making changes to his epilepsy medicines, or even see if there are any other treatments, such as vagus nerve stimulation, which may help him get better seizure control.
I hope this helps.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team
I don't know whether I will be able to claim any benefits. I have epilepsy as a result of a right occipital lobe tumour which was removed as far as possible in September. I am currently on ssp from my full time job. I have about 4 to 6 weeks left of this. Currently my epilepsy is not controlled by meds, I am am experiencing dizziness and extreme tiredness. When my GP finally approves me to go back to work, work have stated they will probably send me for a medical which at present i would not pass. When my ssp runs out will I be able to claim any benefits. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Thankyou
Hi Paula
Thank you for your comment. This must be a difficult time for you, but I hope our information will help.
First of all, when your employers send you for a medical, they will have to take your epilepsy into consideration. Then they will have to consider making reasonable adjustments to allow you to go back to work. Reasonable adjustments could mean you doing slightly different work, or they could mean you do a phased return. This means working fewer hours than usual. To have a phased return, you will have to have a Fit Note from your family doctor. Your employers could only refuse to have you back in any capacity if there was no reasonable adjustments they could make to accommodate you.
There is some information on the about claiming Employment Support Allowance when you run out of SSP. You could also contact the following organisations for advice about any other benefits you might be entitled to claim.
Benefits Enquiry Line
This is a confidential telephone advice and information service, providing general advice on benefits. They can also help you fill out claim forms for benefits.
Helps with:
Freephone: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 24 33 55
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB gives free, confidential, impartial and independent advice about your rights, including benefits. They can also help you fill out claim forms for benefits.
Helps with:
Tel: 08444 111 444 (for advice by telephone)
Tel: 0207 833 2181 (for details of your local branch)
Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk/england
If you would like to speak with an epilepsy adviser about anything related to your epilepsy, please feel free to contact the Epilepsy Helpline, freephone 0808 800 5050.
Kathy
Advice and Information Team
I am waiting to find out if I am epileptic or not. I went to the gym recently and was told under no circumstances could I use it as their insurance won't cover me if anything happens. I think I'm being discriminated against. What do you think? If I was in a wheelchair no way would they say that to me.
Hi Renni
If you are in the process of getting a diagnosis of epilepsy, it is likely that you will have had some seizures. So, there may be some pieces of equipment that are not safe for you to use.
As far as we are aware a gym should carry out a risk assessment with their users. In this assessment they should ask questions about your seizures and any other health condition you may have. This way they should be able to see which gym equipment should be safe for you to use. If they have done this assessment, and you only use the equipment that’s safe, we understand their insurers should cover you.
If you do have a diagnosis of epilepsy you would be covered by the equality laws. In this section, if you go to Finding out more about the equality laws, this will take you to details of where you can get further advice.
I do hope this helps. However, if you’d like to discuss this further, you can talk to one of our trained advisers on our Epilepsy Helpline (freephone) 0808 800 5050.
Rosanna
Advice and Information Team
What a great site this is - so good that you can give all these people support. I have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy, but the tablets seem to be doing the job and all is fine. Today in the neurology clinic I saw a notice about your campaign to get bus passes to start before 9.30, which would be extremely welcome, I couldn't believe it the first time I used mine for work and they said they started then! But I can't find where to sign up for the campaign - is it still going or was it an old notice?
Hi there
Last week my partner started to suffer from small seizures where he feels sick and faint. He hasn't had a full seizure and they only last less than a minute. He has been to the doctors who have arranged for him to see a neurologist to confirm if he has epilepsy or not.
The problem that we have is that my partner is self employed and if he is diagnosed with epilepsy I am sure the DVLA will take his license off him which means he will lose his business as he is on 24/7 call out. We can't live off my wages so I was wondering if there was anything for people who are self employed as everything I have read so far seems to be for people who have been employed. Any information anyone could give me would be much appreciated.
Thanks a lot
Hi Murphy
The law says that if a person has a single seizure they must stop driving for a minimum of 6 months and inform the driving agency. If your partners seizures are confirmed to be epilepsy then he will need to be seizure free for one year before he can reapply for his licence.
If this means you partner is unable to continue his employment he could talk to the Disability Employment Advisor at his local job centre, they can help to find a job or gain new skills and tell him about disability friendly employers in his area.
Some people who can’t drive because they have epilepsy, may be entitled to help with the additional costs of travel to and from work, and also travelling while at work. This comes under the Access to Work scheme.
Turn 2 us are an organisation helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.
Here is some information about organisations that provide benefit advice
Vicky
Advice and information officer
Hi Vicky
Thank you very much for the information, I will have a look at the links you have sent me.
Best regards
Hi my daughter has petite mal epilepsy and is on medication but it makes her so tired. She works part time and would struggle to work full time but she can't manage on the money and worries constantly. Is there a benefit she could claim?
Hello Chris
Any benefits that your daughter might qualify for would depend very much on her individual circumstances. Therefore, she may find it helpful to contact one of the organisations listed above, who will be able to help her with this question.
Amanda
Advice and Information Team
I developed epilepsy a few years ago whilst working in the construction industry, I am obviously now not able to do so anymore or drive either. I have around 2/3 grand mal seizures a month and I am now stuck in minimal wage work but do receive DLA soon to change to PIP.
I am trying to find information on any help available for me to re-train in another field as I do not want to rely on benefits to support my wife and family but living on minimum wage no matter how many hours I work is just not working.
Any help greatly received.
Hi Dan
If you have not already done so, you could ask to speak to the Disability Employment Adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus, for help and advice. They may be able to offer you some suggestions and maybe refer you to the Shaw Trust. This is a charity which exists to provide support to people who need help to be independent, economically active and to contribute to society. You can find a lot more information on their website.
I hope this helps.
Amanda
Epilepsy Action Advice and Information Team
Hi - have very recently been diagnosed with epilepsy (last week!) and still think I'm in shock. I am a single parent to two young girls (10 and 4) and really don't know where to turn or what to do. Have been told to surrender my driving licence (which of course I will do). Signed off sick from work at the moment but would really appreciate some advice help please. Thank you.
Hi Colette
It can come as a big shock to be diagnosed with epilepsy and coming to terms can take time.
How people come to terms is very individual, therefore we have various ways to help.
We have plenty of information available on our website. I hope you will find it helpful and informative. May I suggest the following information to help your children understand your epilepsy? My mum has epilepsy and our children website section. Although the information on the children’s web section is aimed at children with epilepsy, it can help children in general understand epilepsy.
If you think it will be helpful to talk or contact people who understand what you are experiencing. We have Local groups, and our forum4e online community. We are also on facebook and twitter.
We also have a membership scheme, which keeps people up to date with information via our magazine Epilepsy Today.
Finally, if you ever need to, you could always contact us again. As Advice and Information Officers, we can discuss your concerns confidentially. We can discuss your diagnosis, medication and many other issues related to your epilepsy.
If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again, either by email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk or the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.
Diane Wallace
Advice and Information Team