Edinburgh M.E. Self help Group

Before you attempt to complete any forms for a benefits application it is strongly recommended that you seek help and advice from a trained benefits adviser who has experience of dealing with clients who have ME. Whether you are attempting a benefits application for the first time, or at renewal, you should get all the help and advice you can because the benefit application processes can be complicated, bureaucratic, stressful and exhausting, especially when you have no experience of dealing with the Department for Work and Pensions and even more so when you are ill. Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to see an adviser and to fully complete the form. There are organisations who can actually fill in the form for you and give you guidance and advice on how to word things appropriately based on their knowledge and experience of both benefit applications and of ME, and it mat be possible to arrange a home visit if you are housebound.

Action for ME and ME Association both publish useful guides to Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). A general guide to benefits is available from Action for ME, while guides may be ordered from the ME Association for a small charge.

For further information about applying for benefits, please refer to the following pages which are archived EdMESH newsletter articles, written by a EdMESH member to offer help and advice based on personal experience: