text: can you claim benefit if you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia and unable to work.? i have this condition and support my blind,kidney dialysis dependant husband, with all the work i have to do to support my husband this is making my condition worse, i am depressed and in constant pain making life very difficult, i  finished fultime work to look after my husband but my condition has got worse and the dss stopped my incapacity benefit which makes our finance situation worse and doesnt help my situation i have appealed against there discision the case comes up in december has anyone else been in this possition. i have m.e. i get income support (i was asked to choose between i.s and i.b- i chose the former because of the free nhs stuff). i also get dla- middle care and high mobility. i also get blue badge/parking space at home and travel pass.   appeal!!! get specialist help. a welfare rights officer is who you need to see. i went to see one after being refused dla for the third time to help me appeal and she went mad that i was refused after she read the medical report (which i requested a copy of). she also told me that the 2nd time i applied, the doctor who examined me was struck off and told me to appeal for that as well (as a late appeal). i won not only the appeal, but the backdated one too.  get to a welfare rights officer now (they know what they are doing and seem to be feared by the dss- they changed their mind about my recent appliction when i mentioned that i wanted all the info because i was going to see a welfare rights officer). its all very confusing. the dss were at my appeal and were rude and scary and made me cry.   but just so you know, i don't think you can get carers allowance if you get dla. and i hope your husband gets dla as well as some other benefit. not to mention a companion travel card and such, because he should.   as someone said, it is hard for the genuinely disabled due to those that just take it as an easy option or a reason not to work. hence, perseverance shows genuine need.  don't be afraid to admit you need help and how much pain you are in. you are intitled to help. appeal and apply for everything you can, the w.r officer will tell you all you need to know.   good luck!