Your rights at work
COPD often counts as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer must consider reasonable adjustments, such as:
- moving you away from dust, fumes and smoke
- less walking, lifting or climbing stairs, or a ground floor workspace
- a parking space near the entrance
- flexible hours or working from home
- time off for appointments and pulmonary rehab
Benefits
PIP is based on how COPD affects you on most days. Breathlessness and tiredness can affect many activities, such as:
- moving around: how far you can walk before you have to stop, reliably and repeatedly
- washing and bathing: if you need to sit, or steam and effort make you breathless
- dressing: if bending or lifting your arms leaves you breathless
- preparing food: if you cannot stand at the cooker or carry pans
| Your age | Benefit to look at |
|---|---|
| 16 to State Pension age | Personal Independence Payment (PIP) |
| State Pension age or over | Attendance Allowance |
PIP points self-check
Go through the 12 PIP activities one at a time and see roughly how many points may apply to you.
About 10 minutes. Your answers never leave your device.
Work-related lung disease
If your COPD was caused by your job, you may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. For example, COPD in coal miners is a recognised work-related disease. Other lung diseases caused by work may also qualify.
Other help
- Blue Badge: you may be able to get one if you have great difficulty walking.
- Keeping warm: you may be able to get help with energy bills. Ask your council or Citizens Advice.
- Equipment: a council needs assessment can arrange aids such as a shower seat or perching stool.
Sources we used
- GOV.UK, Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010
- GOV.UK, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- GOV.UK, Personal Independence Payment
- GOV.UK, Blue Badge
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