to have no idea how dla works

[danteV]

Hi all
Mum is disabled and gets dla. But she seems confused and when I have tries to look it up, i get confused.
Mu. Is under the impression that she is no 'higher rate' and that everyone who is disabled gets the same payment.
The problem is that her disability is getting worse and needs more care but doesn't think there is anymore help available.
I am completely lost. Any help would be a help.

That's doesn't make sense sorry.

Hi all
Mum is disabled and gets dla. But she seems confused and when I have tried to look it up, i get confused.
Mum Is under the impression that she is on 'higher rate' and that everyone who is disabled gets the same payment, regardless of disability.
The problem is that her disability is getting worse and needs more care but doesn't think there is anymore help available.
I am completely lost. Any help would be a help

What sort of other help are you looking for? Financial or physical care? How old is your Mum, does she live alone?

I am no expert as to what the qualification criteria are but there are different elements to DLA. There is mobility paid at lower and higher rates which is to assist with mobility and there is a separate care element for those who need help with care.

I would give the DLA unit a ring but be aware that if you are not appointee for your mum will more than likely need her with you to give permission if you want to discuss exactly what your mum is receiving.

I am no expert as to what the qualification criteria are but there are different elements to DLA. There is mobility paid at lower and higher rates which is to assist with mobility and there is a separate care element for those who need help with care.

I would give the DLA unit a ring but be aware that if you are not appointee for your mum will more than likely need her with you to give permission if you want to discuss exactly what your mum is receiving.

My son gets DLA so I have a better understanding of children's DLA than adults however I will try and help till someone who knows more can answer.

DLA is in two parts, care and mobility. Care has three levels and mobility has two not everyone gets the same rate. You will need to find out exactly what she is on now, she should have some letters with some information on. If not you should be able to work it out from the payment she receives.

Higher rate care is £77.45 per week
Middle rate care is £51.85 per week
Lower rate care is £20.55 per week

Higher rate mobility is £54.05 per week
Lower rate mobility is £20.55 per week

She could have either care or mobility component or both. If you both think her needs have changed you could reapply to gain a higher level.

Theres two diffeent elements of DLA, Care and Mobility
Care component currently is at three rates, Higher, Middle and Lower, and Mobility at Higher and Lower
Depending which level and what compnent she is receiving she may be eligible for other benefits, depending on age and circumstances

She is mid fifties. Lives with dad, who is not well. She struggles to walk very more than 20 steps.
I wrote incorrectly in the other post.
She doesn't think she gets higher rate. She thinks that she is on the highest rate, as she thinks everyone gets the same regardless of disability. I am not sure that's right though.
Are there different levels available?

She also has epilepsy, sorry forgot to say that.
The thing is mum is a bit of a martyr. She moans at me, but if I offer to help sort it out she 'does not want to bother me' then moans again.

It is very unlikely that she is on the highest rate if she can walk and she has no serious mental problems. DP was on middle rate when he was quadriplegic. He only moved up to highest rate when he also needed help every 120 minutes throughout the night.

As Lilicat said, there are 3 rates for care and 2 rates for mobility. She can apply for reassessment at any time, though they may reduce her rate as well as increase it.

Direct.Gov info

If they are both ill, but under Pension age then they should be receiving either Incapacity Benefit possibly with Income Support top up, or Employment and Support Allowance.
Depending on rate of DLA it may well need reviewing if shes on the middle or lower rate and her condition is worsening.

If she needs more physical care you would need to contact her Dr who can do a referral through Social Services.
I would say Age Concern, but shes too young

CAB is also a good resource centre as they have lots of advice and information about resources and help which may be available in the area

Thank you so much.
Dad refuses to complain. He told me he was passing blood when seeing, but wouldn't tell mum or go to doctors. I threatened him with telling mum then he went. My best friends dad, had recently been diagnosed with kidney cancer, so I was worried. He won't speak to the doctor about not being well.
I am going to speak to them. As I had no idea how is works neither would listen to me, fair enough, but mum keeps moaning. Now I can give them the advice here and point them to cab and then tell them to stop moaning or do something. :)

"It is very unlikely that she is on the highest rate if she can walk and she has no serious mental problems. DP was on middle rate when he was quadriplegic. He only moved up to highest rate when he also needed help every 120 minutes throughout the night."

Surely that's care not mobility? I'm on high rate mobility and I can walk. The advice I would give anyone on DLA is take your forms to the CAB and get them to do it for you. If you don't exactly the right wording they'll refuse your application and an appeal takes forever.

From what you've said about your mum I think it's very likely she's on higher rate mobility, though probably not higher rate care. She should have a letter somewhere telling her exactly what she's getting. If she wants you to be able to sort things out for her you can get authorized to deal with the DWP on her behalf, I can't remember exactly how but my MIL can access all my records so we did manage it somehow, something somewhere has to be signed.

Yep, I meant the highest rate, of both components--the highest possible rate one can be paid.