What do I do about money?

Information regarding any benefits or pension and claims, claim forms and leaflets for most benefits are available from your local social security offices. Their address and telephone number can be found in your local telephone directory in the business section under "Benefits Agency" .

There is also a benefits enquiry line: 0800 88 22 00.

If you have a speech or hearing problem and use a text phone ring: 0800 24 33 55

Some information booklets can also be found in your local post office (usually the larger ones stock a wider range of booklets), and your GP's surgery. GP's surgeries vary as to what they actually keep on the premises; however, they should let you know where you can obtain the relevant information if they don't keep it.

There is a particularly useful booklet called "Sick or Disabled?" This gives you an idea about the social security benefits and help you can get if you can't work due to illness or disability. It also explains about what is available if you are sick for a short or long period of time and what help you can get with health costs.

Many people that are working will automatically receive Statutory Sick Pay. This is paid from the third day of illness and continues for 28 weeks of continuous sick leave. Any entitlement to occupational pay may be adjusted to accommodate Statutory Sick Pay. If your income is not sufficient to meet your needs, you could consider applying for Income Support. You may also be entitled to claim Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

If you are not able to return to work, you may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. You may want to consider early retirement because of ill health if you have contributed to a company pension scheme.

Further information may also be obtained from you local library regarding local disability groups, and organisations that can offer help and advice with filling in benefit application forms.

If you are considering applying for Disability Living Allowance, it is advisable to get some help and advice from a local disability group. It is very difficult to fill in a disability living allowance claim form correctly, and those who are more experienced in dealing with it will be able to help you give a clearer picture as to what your limitations are. This is particularly relevant for people with an illness like vasculitis where you may look well but have significant limitations.

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help you regarding which benefits to apply for. They also help people fill in their forms. Some centres have Outreach Workers who can come to you if you cannot get to the Citizens Advice Bureau's own office. This service may not be available in every area, but it is worth making enquiries if you need this kind of help.

Prescription charges

The Benefits Agency has produced a booklet called "Help with Health Costs". It can be obtained from your local Post Office, Health Authority or Benefits Agency. You may be able to claim exemption from prescription charges if you are:

If you are not exempt from prescription charges but are on a low income then you could fill in a HCI form, which may give you full or partial help with the costs. Forms are available from NHS hospitals, your local Health Authority and some Dentists. If you do not qualify for either of the above schemes and you buy more than 5 items in 4 months or 14 items in 12 months, you could save money by buying a Pre-payment Certificate. Application forms to apply for this are available from your local Health Authority.

Travelling Abroad

Insurance

A major drawback of having an ongoing illness is that it can be very difficult to obtain travel insurance at an affordable price. Often pre-existing conditions are excluded, and if cover is offered the fees that need to be paid if you do get ill whilst abroad can run into the thousands.

However, a few companies do specialise and one that has been recommended in the Sunday Times is PHA (Private Health Associates) based in Birmingham . They are specialist health insurance brokers and claim to offer a comprehensive annual travel policy for anyone up to 65 who has any medical condition (excluding HIV or AIDS). It covers medical treatment or the flight home should the person require attention while on a trip anywhere in the world.

However, there are a few things to bear in mind. If you are medically retired you can automatically get cover if you are fewer than 65. If you are married with one partner sick, you can only be covered if your spouse is working. If you are single, you must be working or medically retired to be eligible. If you are unemployed you can't get cover. If it is a child who is ill, they can be covered automatically under their parent's policy. The only proviso is that the person is not travelling against medical advice or travelling to seek medical treatment.

As independent brokers they are also able to place clients over 65 with other insurers and at Lloyds of London. Such a policy is invaluable to anyone with medical conditions as the standard travel policy, as has already been mentioned, excludes cover for pre-existing conditions, and applies substantial loadings for minor conditions let alone serious ones.

For further information call 0870-77 00 943 or write to:

Private Health Association
1173 Bristol Road South
Northfield
Birmingham B31 2S2

Vaccinations

The question about vaccinations often crops up. There is no standard answer as every person's situation is different.

Generally the advice is that "patients should not receive LIVE VACCINES". This is because a live vaccine is a small amount of the infection itself. Normally you can fight that off, but if you have vasculitis and are on drugs that alter the way your immune system works, then you may not have the capacity to mount a response to the infection.

It is wise to question the need for the vaccination in the first place. Ask what does it contain? Will you get any side effects? Do not assume it will do you good.