to ask if anyone knows the buzz words/phrases for middle rate DLA care so I can help friend fill in a form to get increase?

[timetohaveago]

Friend is in her 70s and has got DLA since being injured in a car accident many years ago. She gets higher rate mobility and lower rate care. She's got forms to try to get the middle rate care. She's very disabled - can only walk a very, very short distance on crutches, needs help with all the bathroom/kitchen stuff etc so sure she must qualify, but are there any 'buzz' words/phrases she needs to mention to ensure she states her case properly?

The magic formula?
Answer the questions honestly, tell them what she can/can't do and be very specific.

I don't know if there are any 'buzz' words for her circumstances but could she get help from cab or local welfare rights staff. There are usually staff who help with benefit claims. Has your friend had a care assessment from social services?

My motherinlaw had someone from
Age concern help her fill it in, detail is key here, keep the focus of how limited she is by loss of mobility and personal care needs as this is all they are interested in now.

When I applied for my children I was told to use the worst possible day as your referral, and compare her abilities with someone of a similar age. Don't under estimate what she can do, by the same token don't exaggerate or lie as they will and do check.

I think you probably didn't mean it to sound as though you're wanting to 'work the system', but posting on aibu asking for buzzwords to increase dla is a recipe for disaster. I hope you don't get flamed for that.

Just answer each question honestly. Make sure your friend is prepared to say it like it is, and not say she can do things for the sake of pride. I had an elderly relative who insisted she could still look after herself, but could in reality only manage to make a sandwich. It was hard for her to accept this wasn't 'making a realm'.

Good luck, op.

'Making a meal', not a realm.

"at my worst, I...."

Be very specific about what she can and cannot do on her worst days, there is a section at the back where you can say about how frequent her worst days are to. It sounds like she qualifies for middle or even higher rate care from your description.

here is an overview of DLA/PIP etc The best thing your friend can do is contact the CAB or AgeUk for some support in filling in the form. They have copies of descriptors (ie the 'buzz words' you're looking for)

Its still dla if it was started pre 65. If applying for the first time post 65 its attendance allowance.

Be truthful but clear.

For example - not I need help at the toilet but - I need assistance of one person to get to the toilet/bathroom with a zimmer as well as I am at increased risk of falling due to poor balance/low bp. At the toilet I cannot stand independantly to adjust clothing. As I have poor balance I need to hold my frame/rails whilst my carer adjusts my clothing/wipes my bottom. I use a raised toilet seat and rails to aid my sit to stand from the toilet. I need assistance of 1 to pass the toilet roll as I cannot bend due to x and y.

Over the last 6 months my arthritis has deteriorated increasing my knEe pain and reducing my knee bend. Stand to sit on the toilet has become more difficult and I need assistance of two instead of one or I find standing more difficult with one person and now transfer to a chair instead of frame. Or I now need my frame and assitance of 1 to stand whilst a second care attends to my personal hygiene/clothes.

Increased Dla would allow me to have a second carer/more frequent toilet visits to maintain my independance/dignity at the toilet.

• this says what you need, struggle with, what has changed, why, and what dla would allow you to do.

I was a social worker in a previous life and have filled in many of these forms.
The key is, as others have said, to base your application on a worst day scenario. It is also important to emphasise that everything is on a seven day of the week basis. For instance,If you say that you can shower yourself one day a week, even though it leaves you exhausted for the rest of the day, they won't give you the benefit.

Don't say 'good' day, it's worst day and better day. This is what we were told for filling in forms for ds.

Be very clear.

My mum has a tendency to say "but I manage" as she is proud. This doesn't help!! Yes she can manage. But by managing she means she can crawl up the stairs and come down on her bum, doesn't drink too much in fear of needing a wee more than once on a morning and once on an afternoon as going up and down the stairs wipes her out for a couple of hours and she can't even attempt it until her pain relief has kicked in. So when she says she manages to get up the stairs that's what she actually means !!

What she should have said was I can not go up or down the stairs safely or without help. Never mind her martyred managing talk.

Safely reliably repeatedly

Things such as when they ask can she go to the toilet? Well yes she may well be able to go in a familiar environment unassisted but how would she cope in an unfamiliar shopping mall for example. Would she need to be taken there? She may for example find the crowds daunting as she is worried about slips. if her eye sight is failing, she may not be able to read the signs for the toilet so would need someone else to read them so she knows where to go. Would she need someone to wait for her outside the cubicle in case she had a fall or if she can't lock the door due to risks of falls or lack of dexterity in the fingers then she may need someone to stand outside and make sure no-one goes in. Can she stand for a period of time if there is a queue for the toilet? Would she need someone to hold the crutches if there is no disabled loo and she finds it hard to fit everything in?

You just have to be so detailed. Hope this is of help.

Ahhh buzz words etc winds me up dm do not look for specific phrases just tell the truth!

A friend of mine was turned down for DLA three times, despite having to crawl to the bathroom on her worst days.

She eventually went to CAB for help and they said she shouldn't fill it in based on an average day - she should fill it in based on her absolute worst day.

She was then granted it straight away.