for pointing out in the light of recent discussions that DLA is NOT always an "out of work" benefit?

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Just that really

I get so fed up with reading that this person knows x, y or z people all on the sick and claiming benefits.

DLA can actively keep people IN work by helping with extra living costs.

I have a friend in a wheelchair who gets DLA, without it she would be stuck at home, with DLA she is mobile and working 5 days a week. It funds a lease car which she has to pay to have adapted but with this she can work.

It is NOT means tested and nor should it be - David Cameron claimed it when his DS Ivan was alive because he was entitled to do so (does that make him "entitled"- oh dear). No doubt it helped fund the extra care which Ivan needed during his life....which helped keep Dad in work.

We are fortunate in this country, we need to appreciate it and support it - anyone could become disabled in a heartbeat - it takes just ONE accident in some cases and life changes beyond all recognition.

I claim it for my autistic son....I am NOT in work at the moment because my son's sleeping issues mean I am not a safe practitioner. This has only been for three months and will not be forever...I also claimed it IN work too though and it funded play support. Currently it is funding private Occupational Therapy as the OT service locally is down to one OT for autistic children . This will help with the sleep issues (and is already doing so) meaning I can get back to work where I want to be.

It is a fabulous support, a great benefit and has a very low incidence of fraud because the checks are thorough, the form is 32 pages and hideous to complete and you really have to prove things with lots of back up. Not saying it CAN'T be defrauded - clearly people will find a way iof they are determined enough but they are usually defrauding everyone else too. They will egt caught eventually.....and rightly so.

Don't tar all of us with that brush though, most of us are struggling through and trying to do our best.

Thank you op for this thread - and hopefully it will educate at least one r two people who may genuinely not have known about it.

Does anybody have a link for the carers allowance thing? I can't find anything about it.

ouluckyduck go via directgov

I would be surprised if people know now much DLA actually is, maybe people think its far more than it actually is? £20.55 per week for Low Rate, not exactly a lot is it.

I volunteer for CAB and complete application forms and appeals nearly every week, it certainly isn't easy and it's extremely hard to cheat as you need so much medical back up.

Anyone who thinks they should appeal could approach the CAB, we assist with appeals and in my particular bureau we have specialist benefits advisers who attend tribunals, if necessary, on clients behalf and are very successful.

Oh yes - I am sure some stupid people think that DLA = rolling in money!

This topic comes up all the time. It annoys me too, OP.

I always feel the need to explain that I work full time in a quite well paid job and I get DLA high rate mobility as I am a wheelchair user. I don't use it to pay for a motobility vehicle as I have a comnpany car, but it also qualifies me for a free tax disc.

I do worry that I may be denied it in the future as there was talk of removing DLA from people who can 'mobilise themselves' (ie with a wheelchair).

I wouldn't be able to get to work without my blue badge, which I get because I qualify for HRM DLA.