Mumsnet Talk

I know that my Fibromyalgia isn't classed as special needs. In some cases it is classed as a disability though.
DH and I are trying to get a posting nearer to home, mainly becasue of the family back up and support for us, and family close by able to help us out when my Fibro gets bad. Up until now, I've never really given into it. I work 12 hours a week, some days it is a real struggle. Somedays I come home and fall asleep on the sofa till 3pm, the fatigue is crippling. Other days I am in pain from top to bottom and crying it's so bad

However, SSAFFA (the forces social work dept) have said to me that I should be entitled to DLA! They say I can use it to pay for someone to come in and help em out - this saves the MOD moving us in their opinion.
Obviously this isn't an ideal solution, so I'm wondering if any of you can advise me if my illness would qualify for DLA? I haven't ever looked into it and TBH I feel there ar otherr people out there far more in need of i than I am. If I claimed it surely I would need to give up work as well? I'm looking for reason not to claim it so I can go backto SSAFFA and say "no, thats not going to work"

The criteria for DLA for adults is:

"To get the care component of Disability Living Allowance, your disability must be severe enough for you to either:

need help with things such as washing, dressing, eating, getting to and using the toilet, or communicating your needs
need supervision to avoid you putting yourself or others in substantial danger
need someone with you when you are on dialysis
be unable to prepare a cooked main meal for yourself (if you had the ingredients), if you are aged 16 or over
There are three rates of care component depending on how your disability affects you:

the lowest rate, if you need help or supervision for some of the day or you are unable to prepare a cooked main meal
the middle rate, if you need help with personal care frequently or supervision continually throughout the day only, or help with personal care or someone to watch over you during the night only, or someone with you while on dialysis
the highest rate, if you need help or supervision frequently throughout the day and during the night"

From your description it doesn't sound all that likely that you would qualify.

I also don't think that the amount you would get would be anywhere near enough to pay for someone to help. Lower rate is less than £20 per week. Even the highest rate is only £70 or so. You won't get many hours of help for that, especially once you factor in things like tax and NI.

Link is here.

Thanks for that. That's what I thought actually. I suppose I could give up work and get DLA - becasue belive me there are times when I do struggle to cook - I ahve been known to drop pans of boiling food, drop cups of tea, unable to take things out the oven. Some days I struggle to dress myself or shower, I ahve special handles for getting out the bath. But, the day that I give up is the day it's won,IYSWIM. I work becasue it gives me something to focus on, even on days when I've been up all night with the pain and can hardly move, but when DH is away, being int eh military, there are times I struggle, with the things I mentioned above, or taking the dog out. Therefore having family help nearby is a better (and cheaper) option

Hello my name is Kaz and if you would like further information about DLA or other financial issues you have, then www.parentsofdisabledchildren.co.uk will help you with your issues they have alot of knowlegde about DLA and financial issues.

Just a thiought, you don't have to be not working to get DLA. it's not means tested, and is discounted when adding up for other means tested benefits, ( i believe)