Newbie and DLA

[dozydizzy]

Hello, I'm new to this board and look forward to chatting with other mums with disabilities. Just wondered if I could ask about experiences with DLA. I have put off claiming for it for years, heard many horror stories about people who really deserve it not being able to get it, etc. Basically when I gave up full time teaching due to my health problems (I have a chronic lung disease called bronchiectasis, of the cf family) I was on incapacity benefit, but they stopped this saying that I didn't fulfil their criteria, which seemed to be all about mobility (can you stand, walk, reach etc) rather than about ability to work - I certainly could not teach anymore as I was so ill. Anyway, things have deteriorated since and I have tried to work, part time, but every time have had to admit defeat. My consultants have said many times I need to get DLA, I have put it off and we have just about managed, something in me was reluctant to go down that road as it felt like giving up, but I realise now it is not, it is simply asking for the help I deserve, and it will certainly make life easier. My children are 6 and 3 and it is so hard on days I am ill, I can barely get out of bed and have to rely on dh for everything, school run, meals etc, it is a big struggle. I have finally come to the point where I know the best thing would be to apply, and my doctor the other day said she would fully support me in my application, and I should have had it years ago. but, having been stopped on the incapacity suddenly I am afraid of it all somehow. Just wanted any tips and advice really - I am just so tired and feel I cannot cope with a fight with the powers that be.
I am sorry this is so long!

if you have your docs backing then it should in theory be a breeze comapred to some.

dh was refused it several times for a heart condition. he finally got it after they lost his pllication for 7months in the system. but that was low care high mobility, finally got awarded high care when he got listed for transplant.

the forms are a bugger, sit down and go through them carefully. take several evenings if yu need to, you get abouty 6 weeks to send it back. if you get too tired get someone else to do it for you and get them to sign at the back and say why they helped you. get your Gp to sign it.

best of luck.

go to the cerebra website as they have some very good guidelines and expertise to help you..good luck

Sorry don't have any help but thought I'd bump for you as I'm sure someone will have more advice.

Thank you. I have been looking into it a little and now am not sure whether I should be applying for DLA or Incapacity Benefit? The main thing is I cannot work, and I.A is supposed to be for that, and as far as I can see DLA for problems getting around? I can get around on good days but not always, so a little confused....also, looking at the criteria for claiming I.A it looks like you need to have been paying national insurance lately...I have not worked properly since I had my dd, nearly 7 years now so therefore not paid NI - but I think it is credited to me as I am caring for my children, so that should be ok? Any ideas/experience, sorry pretty new to this and bit confuzzled! I have found out that my local CAB have a dropin session so I might go along to talk it through with an advisor.
Many thanks for your replies. I would love to chat to more mums with health problems/disabilities....hope to chat soon.

DLA is not means tested and can be claimed in addition to income support and incapcity benefit. dh gets dla and incapcity benefit, i get income support (about £6 a week) and carers allowence.

hi there dozydizy

just thought i would give you a little info on what i know about dla. I get it on top of my incapacity benefit (i get this because i worked up to a short while ago but had to give up due to my mobility issues being made worse by being pregnant) You are right in thinking that you get incap benefit if you have worked otherwise its income support (althought they pay your stamps for you). DLA is completely seperate from any benefits you get, even if you are working and earning alot of money as its designed to help you have an easier life and pay for anything you may need. It is well worth having and the disability adviser at your local dss office should be able to help you, get in touch if you would like to chat further annie x

The form is a pain, so make sure you have lots of comfort stuff around you. I found it very emotionally draining to write everything out.
The important thing is to make sure you fill in it worst case scenario. Don't try and make things appear better at all. I found that very emotionally draining, tbh, and needed a bloody big hug afterwards.

Hi dozydizzy - I have recently claimed dla for the first time for my son (cf sufferer) I got alot of help from our community nurse but basicly she said to put down every ittle detail and write down what happens on a 'bad' day so they know the wworst your condition can effect you.

I also wrote a diary sheet of ds's routines and treatment that he has to have to show exactly how time consuming and hard work it is.

It's a long form so try and just do a few sectiona night untill it's done. you can but try i was expecting nothing but ds was put on higher rate. good luck

Hi. I have RA and have received DLA for about three years now. I agree with a lot of what has already been said. I found it emotionally draining too, because the many questions made me focus on the disease and my many limitations. It's a form of torture!
It took along time to complete as my hands too are affected, but someone else can complete it for you. Take a copy of the completed form and keep it safe, as when it is time to review, you can look back and be consistent or point out where (unfortunately) things have become worse. It may be that things improve!
As mentioned in other posts, answer the questions as if you are having the worst day.
Don't hold back. You may then have a doc come to the house to examine you. I did, although it was really just more questions. We would struggle without my little DLA, as I have tried to go back to work, but this caused a huge flare-up to the point my knees just seized up. Never again. Good luck - it is worth the time and effort but try not to dwell on it afterwards.

Hi I can completely understand how you feel and I suppose its not often people can! I have just recieved DLA. However, I put off applying for a while as I had previously been refused and give up at the first hurdle. I have serious neurological problems with my spine and legs amongst other joint problems. This effects my life considerably I have to rely on my three older children to help with my two youngest who are one and two. My husband has to do most chores plus works fulltime I have the children in nursery a couple of days and have to rely on my support network or struggle to do what I can. I can understand your everyday struggle as I also had to give up teaching and loved my job. It is difficult to accept not being able to work and also not being able to deal with your children like you want to. Pursue your case and if you get refused go to welfare rights. xx

Hiya

I second a lot of what has been said. The forms are horrid, and when you read back what you put it makes you sound like a complete wreck. But it's important to make sure you say everything that limits you, not just the obvious stuff. For example, when it asks if you need any help at night, initially I though the answer was no. But then thinking a bit, my joints stiffen up at night, so DH sometimes has to help me up, or help me turn over, or go and get the baby for me, or get me some breakfast and tablets before i can move of a morning. It's really important that the people who are looking at the form understand the impact your condition has on your life, and they aren't mind readers, so that means you do have to write it all down. You also have to say what things are like at their worst. Most of us have good days and bad days, but it's no good declaring you can do something when actually some of the time you can't.

The best thing about the form is that it's now downloadable and you can type in it and save changes. this enables you to stop and go back to it at a later date, perfect with a baby in the house, also means you can stop when it gets too depressing!

Good luck!

Hiya, just looked back on this thread (I was dozydizzy) and thought i would let you know I have now received DLA high mobility and care so am thrilled as it will make such a huge huge difference. I really didn't think I would get it with all the stories and feel very grateful. I am now looking into the blue badge, how do you go about getting this, and motability also, I am feeling so liberated now and feel like life will be a little easier. thanks for all the advice.

Congrats to you. I also put off claiming for my dh for a long time as I just felt it was a waste of time. In the end I got my local branch of Carers to help me fill it in and they were magic.

Dh qualified for the higher rate for mobility but not care. All we really wanted was the blue badge and motability in any case (having already forked out for his own electric wheelchair ... )

For the blue badge, I think I followed a link from our Council's website.

For Motability, contact a dealer although as I recall, someone from the Motability scheme itself got in touch with us once dh had qualified, I actually can't remember now!

Hope this helps - and congrats again.

Thanks tribpot. I'm glad you got it in the end for your dh too.