long term illness

[PurpleParis]

My partner has been ill for over two years now....he has peripheral neuropathy and can no longer do his job, as he was an engineer and cannot use the high speed machinery, as he has no feeling in his hands and legs, long story but it was an undiagnosed B12 deficiency to blame. We seem to be stuck in a stalemate and would appreciate some advice.....his employer doesn't seem to want to terminate his employment, due to his ill health, we have no idea why.

We have been advised not to hand his notice in, as effectively he is making himself unemployed.....he is getting the low rate DLA, as he cannot be allowed to cook hot food, because of the loss of feeling. The Fit for Work team are saying there is nothing more they can do for him, the DWP agree that he cannot work, we saw the Rehab manager at the hospital, who is in agreement with the DWP and Fit for Work, the problem is....how cn we get some more help, for example, be put on the middle rate of DLA. They all agree and yet they are all saying the other one has to change the rate.....we're confused!

[bednobs]

to get a re=assessment of dla, you either have to reapply or appeal the original decision. However, if his health is the same as when you forst applied, there is no reason they will put it up - just not being able to work dosen't mean you get DLA as you probably already know - it is given based on care and mobility needs, not ability to work

[Postdog]

I'm no expert on employment law but I would go with DON'T hand in his notice. I was in a similar position in that I had to give up my job (postman) because I had a condition which affected how I walked. Basically, I couldn't walk very far at all.

In the early stages of it I actually considered leaving of my own accord, but it would have been silly to do that. In the end, I went long term sick and they medically retired me. It strikes me that the same should apply here really, ESPECIALLY for health and safety reasons. I could feel my feet when I walked (pain) but for the control I had over them it was like walking on stilts, and I decided to go when I fell over in a dangerous way for the third time. If he can't do his job in a safe way then it is an issue,

[boxtops]

I think postdog has it - hang on in there. If he is unfit to work, they may medically retire him - they won't want him on the payroll for ever (and I don't want that to sound nasty). How old is he?

[PurpleParis]

Thanks everyone, he will be 50 in December....we agree that there may well be something he could do, for example, sitting behind a PC all day...but the problem is that he has been an engineer for 30 years and no one wants to help him gain some new skills to help get a job like that....also the current job market is so bad.....who would employ a man with no skills.....they wouldn't even look at his CV.....thanks for you help....we have got the paperwork, as for being any worse than he was 2 years ago....well to be fair although the condition is no different he has fallen in the bath twice now....the last time because of it he got a DVT......so maybe there is some hope.

[bednobs]

i think from what you say it's unlikely - unless you have to bathe him, but there is nothing stopping you trying

[Postdog]

Just to add, I know it's a big step to change anything you don't want to change, but you have to draw a line somewhere and face facts. Basically he, like me, couldn't do the job anymore, and you can't do anything about that. I knew losing my job would mean big problems in other areas (forinstance losing my home) but I looked on the positive side of things and turned that to my advantage. You have to start over, and it's not gonna be easy, but it has to be done.