False claims for DLA?

[CatWreathkeith]

Can someone explain to me how this is even possible?

My dm has undergone cancer treatment twice, and this has left her with osteoporosis. Two of her vertebrae have crumbled completely, and the rest aren't looking great.

She can't stand for any length of time, can't iron, do her housework or go shopping, nor can she lift more than a couple of pounds.

We recently applied for dla (or pip, as it is now called) so she could pay someone to do her housework/ironing and have been told she doesn't meet the criteria, so I am travelling 60 odd miles twice a week to do it for her (and blow dry her hair, she can't even do that without intense pain)

She's got medical evidence for all of this, but the assessment is that she isn't in enough pain to qualify.

Yet I still hear people bashing people who do receive dla on a regular basis, particularly for 'having a bad back'. How the fuck do they think it's an easy thing to claim fraudulently, and how as a country have we become so unsympathetic?

[CatWreathkeith]

Just got home after a night in the next county.

Df is ok, high blood pressure and stress apparently. He's also at home now, with a cut eye and a massive bruise, but feeling much better.

I have to appeal, he can't keep this up.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

Should read care not car!

[MisForMumNotMaid]

a community car assessment is another option for possible help

[Ketchuphidestheburntbits]

Catwreathkeith, I hope your DF is ok.

I'd also recommend the benefits and work website because they helped me fill in the form successfully.

You need to put loads of detail in every section even if it means repeating yourself several times. If your DM can't prepare a meal you need to explain why - difficulty standing to cook, unable to grip a knife to chop vegetables, can't lift anything out of the oven etc. If your DM can't walk you need to go into great detail about what would happen if she fell over (could she get up without help? Would she be at risk of broken bones? Etc)

[CatWreathkeith]

Df is doing his very best. Up until this point they have had a very traditional marriage but he is now doing as much around the house as he can.

He leaves for work at 7.30am each day, does very physical work all day, and rarely gets home before 6. He clears up, lays the table, either cooks or if dm had prepared something dishes it up, clears the dishes, washes up, gets dm in and out of the bath, runs the Hoover round and maybe puts a load of washing on.

He is almost 67, and is currently at a&e after having a 'turn' this evening. I am hoping it's his blood pressure but he went crashing through the coffee table earlier, and was out cold for 3-4 minutes.

Fortunately I was here, but dd's carol concert is at 10am tomorrow and it looks like I might have to miss it.

[BigPawsBrown]

Not had time to read other posts but agree entirely with the OP. I basically couldn't walk at all for 8 months and did not succeed in getting DLA.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

Greengrow, the OP has said her father is doing lots for the mum, helping her get out of bed, dressed, take her medication, making breakfast and drinks for her also working in a very physical job at 66. He then no doubt has to help wash and undress, clear up the day to day stuff, get mum to appointments etc. its not really that he needs to start to help, there are only so many hours in a day.

Caring is a very intense emotionally and physically tiring thing. Its also very humiliating to have your partner do all the intimate things like wipe your bum because you can't reach. Having paid for assistance helps restore some dignity.

[Greengrow]

More to the point - this lady has a husband. What sort of man would allow his daughter to make 60 mile trips to do housework. Does he not have arms? Many men do all the housework. he needs to get his finger out.

[LL12]

Thanks Groovee

[WankingInAWinterWonderland]

I get DLA and am changing to PIP. I sent off my form today, next I have the assessment, I have bipolar so it's a hidden illness, all this is making me severely anxious,I will appeal if/when I am refused.

[Groovee]

LL12 When they come out for a PIP appointment to the house, they do come out and ask the same questions as on the forms. You will be able to be there to explain everything and if she recites teletubbies to them then they will see for themselves how she is.

I had a home visit. I need help getting in and out of the bath, need support to cook as I forget I have put the hob on and then burn it. I struggle some days to prepare veg or cook from scratch.

It's so heartbreaking to realise just how ill I have become.

[Buttercupsanddaisys]

Bookmarking so that I can find this thread later and take some notes for further places to help me with my claim on appeal when should it be turned down. I posted my forms 2 days ago.

Historically, the Thatcher govt used Mob.All.as an easy way of massaging unemployment figures, hence a generation of long-term bad backs and dodgy knees recipients. No suggestion then of retraining for other work suited to their disabilities, the other jobs just weren't there on offer.

[MisForMumNotMaid]

blue badge apply and track online

[holidaysarenice]

Blue badges don't nee dla. You get a form from the gp/social workers/charities etc. In fact it's probably possible to download now.

Then send it off with a letter from your gp or consultant and that should be it.

I have written these letters before And just state that x has y condition that limits mobility in z way and would benefit from a blue badge. IMO this is not going to significantly change or improve. Currently a dla claim is in progress and I would be grateful if you could assist with a blue badge.

Or something along those lines.

[holidaysarenice]

Hi op,

In my role I routinely get these forms to fill in or asked too. And some of the Forms I have seen have had the best whooping lies on them ever. Equally I have seen many deserving people being turned down. Usually because they haven't filled it in correctly.

You have to think about it very carefully. A dla form done well can take me 10 - 20 hours to do. My advice would be to get lots of the supporting evidence and on the notes page list each document separately. It's a good evidence base. So letters from gps, doctors, physio, carers etc

[Chuffingelves01]

Ohh thank you sidge. That's just what our Dr told us. We are in a different county to the hospital so I will ring the local council tomorrow.

[GratefulHead]

The reality stuff with White Dec is a red herring. For a brief time she felt wanted and saw a purpose. ..I hope that has continued for her. She has said she found interviews hard and cancelled many because she couldn't face it.

[Sidge]

The problem we have is without proof of DLA we can't get a disabled blue badge.

What county are you in Chuffing ? Higher rate mobility component of DLA can automatically make you eligible for a Blue Badge but you can also apply and provide medical evidence for eligibility. It does seem to vary between councils/counties but DLA is not the sole criteria for determining eligibility for a Blue Badge.

[ChristmasDawndonnaagain]

What do you want Witches them to film her when she's in the depths of despair and suicidal, or when she's as high as a kite and on a spending spree that she a)Can't afford, b)can't see the consequences of and c) is going to be judged for by people like you.

[Chuffingelves01]

It has got harder I think. I am currently waiting on the appeal for my ds. He has spina bifida and can hardly walk. I was speaking to his consultants about it and they said they have filled out the forms DLA have sent them to fill in so they can't understand why he was turned down. The problem we have is without proof of DLA we can't get a disabled blue badge. Trying to get a child out of a car in to a wheelchair is bloody hardwork and some times impossible in a normal car parking space.

[LarrytheCucumber]

Bellerina DLA is not means tested, so anyone who has a disability can claim it provided they meet the criteria.

[notthatshesaid]

Witches you are just coming across as ignorant. Depressed people can do things. They can even, shock, horror, sometimes be seen smiling, laughing, going out for an evening out. Doesn't mean they aren't seriously unwell. From what I've seen of her, she strikes me as being very genuine. I believe she came off benefits when her depression eased and she started earning money. I don't know more than the basics about her but that is what I've read.

[notthatshesaid]

Definitely appeal, many very disabled people are rejected as a matter of course. It's tough getting it.

I've been getting dla for a few years. If i hadn't had it I could never have moved out my parents' house, would have been housebound etc. etc.. I already know i won't qualify for PIP....how I'm supposed to pay from my carer or my car beyond mid next year, I have no idea. I am facing not being able to get out other than to my rather depressing local shop. I'm waiting for a fairy godmother to come and sort that one out for me.i will possibly be leaving my home and my friends and moving 4.5 hours away to a family member so basic things like cooking and cleaning get done because I can't manage them.

Cheers Tories! Life will be great.

[WitchesGlove]

I have nothing against people who genuinely have severe depressiON that's not responding to medication.

But I seriously doubt white Dee was genuine. It's funny how after she became famous she was suddenly able to work and do all those reality Tv appearances.