claiming for mobility car but not being 'disabled'

[HighwayDragon]

Sorry, this isn't what you think it's going to be! It's about me.

So I'm entitled to the rate of dla that means I can trade it in for a car. But I'm actually fine 90% of the time and don't feel disabled at all. So why should I claim something that I dont need? Another car would be great, and the scheme is awesome, but its like I'm taking advantage, am I?

So wyoo someone who doesn't need it claiming anyway?

It does make sense please but the new rules under PIP are so tight that many that were entitled to higher rate DLA are no longer. For example you can't be able to walk more than 20 metres under PIP it was 50 under DLA

It's no longer DLA, it's PIP and I'd be very surprised if you'd even be eligible for the enhanced rate. As a social worker who has filled in many benefit forms, I find most doctors are grossly misinformed about how the claiming process.

Candy in my experience is right I'm afraid.

As others have said, it's not as simple as it appears. So on that basis I think you should apply, just to see how the system works as you probably are entitled to something.

I understand about the "nail in the coffin" thing - I felt the same. I fought against getting a wheelchair for years, and hated it for a few months. After that I realised the benefits - it gave me my independence back, I was much was tired, hurt myself much less often.

Good luck OP

As someone who has had to fight tooth and nail to get dla for dd I would say apply and see what they say. If, after jumping through the hoops, you are awarded it, then you deserve it. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Your doctors are unlikely to be experts in the criteria for DLA/PIP. If you're "fine" 90% of the time then you won't be entitled to either benefit. CAB are a reasonable bet for getting advice on entitlement.

I kind of understand your post OP. I have epilepsy and get a free bus pass plus other "benefits", free prescriptions etc. however, most of the time I feel fine. The bus pass is a huge help though as I am so tired after a day at work that if I didn't have it then I think DP or my mum would have to collect me so I don't feel too guilty and I don't think you should either.

Of course she is entitled to claim. I think that people are just pointing out that it isn't as simple as your dr saying you should get it and actually getting it, especially the higher rate. As it has already been pointed out the criteria is getting tougher and tougher.

I am wheelchair bound and when I originally claimed I wasn't awarded at at all... Go figure!!!

As others have said too I had to fight tooth and nail and eventually after 7 months I was awarded correctly.

I am now breaking into a cold sweat as I have the PIP forms to complete that I am being moved onto and don't know how I am going to cope having to go through it all again.

OP if you feel that you are entitle then do claim. It is your right to. Please however don't think that just because your consultant says you will get it, that it means that you will.

This is going to sound horrible op but I assure I don't mean it in a horrible way but if you think about it,is it more likely that its not really 90% of the time that you are ok and you are just struggling with accepting that and its probably a lot more than 10% of the time that you feel shockingly bad?

I know consultants and doctors have very limited understanding about DWP benefits and who gets what but it would be unusual for one to get it quite so wrong about the level of support they think you need and even they would know that being fine 90% of the time would not result in anything from DLA/PIP

If that's likely and you do decide to claim please get help from someone who understands MS and the forms because it is all to easy to fill out the forms rather more positively than realistically and realistic is what you need

I agree with NeedsAsock. Some conditions can creep up on you so gradually that you don't realise what you've lost.

I think the question is whether your consultant said you would be entitled to DLA/PIP or they said you would be entitled to higher rate mobility.

You may be entitled to DLA, but the higher rate, especially with PIP has really really stringent criteria. If you can walk more than 20metres with or without aids then you are unlikely to now be awarded the higher rate, but you may get the lower rate.

I also agree with NeedsASock in that you don't always realise where you are when you are living with you. If that makes any sense?! It does hit me at times how ill I am with my condition because 90% of the time, I am positive and happy at what I can do and ignore the stuff I don't need to do until it crops up....

I think you should have a motability and feel absolutely no guilt about it at all. My cousin felt similarly to you until she was violently arrested at a bus station one day for being drunk in charge of her children. She wasn't, she has the relapse remission form of MS and the thug of a police officer would not listen to her explanation.

She now is too frightened to use public transport and will always either walk or use her car, despite usually being fit, active and fine.

I certainly wouldn't begrudge your mobility car op.

Fwiw.

You may wish to really look into handing over your mobility component for a car as often its a very very expensive way of getting a car. It's often much cheaper to have the cash and buy your own car

Wow it took 4 long and bitter attempts to get HRM for DS2. He needs it 100% of the time. I'm shocked you were awarded it if you dont feel you need it 90% of the time.

Get your claim in as soon as possible.

My DD has had her disabilities since birth. Her DLA ended just after her 16th Birthday, so I claimed PIP.

It's taken five and a half months for the Atos Medical etc for but to be awarded.

We are not in desperate need for benefits, but anyone relying on CA/HB/CTB would be living on next to nothing.

You won't get it if your condition only affects 10% of your day.

Maybe its also the final nail in the 'I have a disability' coffin, I wont say it out loud, because I'm not the way a disabled person should be, does that make sense?

Well, how should a disabled person be? Not all disabled people are completely helpless.

My FIL is confined to a wheel chair until he dies and he can still live on his own and make his own meals. He's certainly capable of doing almost everything himself.

I'd say apply, be honest but dont downplay your problems, and if you get it then yay, if not, then youre no worse off than before :)

(Mine took 10 months)

It took the medical interview for me to accept how ill i actually am. Now, unfortunately, I dont shut up about it

Kind of similar but less serious than you OP, I have nerve damage, weakness, pain which comes and goes and sometimes walk with a limp. I have been told by doctors I could be claiming disability benefits but don't want to. That's my personal decision. I still hope I will recover and its part of my way of dealing with it. I'm glad to still have that hope. (Although I don't really think I would quality for motability anyway).

If it takes four months to get your interview, it could be 50% of the time you feel "bad" by then. Best to start now and get the wheels in motion...

All be it several years ago (8 almost) I applied for incapacity benefit on the grounds of epilepsy and was told I was fit to work. I was having seizures every other day and was severely depressed (partly due to uncontrolled epilepsy) I went to cab and they appealed it which was still the same result and then we threatened a tribunal and they suddenly changed their minds. I wouldn't mind it was only my insurance contributions being paid so I wasn't even getting more!

I know how you feel OP. I also have MS and although I don't think I'm disabled, neurologists certainly do.

Anyway, I would make the claim as if you get it, it will help the 10% of the time you feel you need it.