DLA

[Lyra]

Does anyone here get DLA and how easy was it to get this????

 

[ramboghettouk]

I get DLA there are 2 different rates for mobility and 3 for care, i get the middle rate care, i had to fight my case for 2 yrs and go to a tribunal, the disability centre says it wouldn't be a good idea to try for the high rate.

The low rate care, it's so low it's hardly worth putting up with the extra stigma for, the middle rate means you can get the severe disability rate of income support, makes a difference on top of the extra money.

I'm not sure of the grounds now, it used to help if you said you couldn't cook a meal, concentration, saying you live on sandwiches and convenience meals.

Mobility not been able to go out due to anxiety and paranoia

You have to meet these physical things and you have to make mental things fit physical

As one disabled activist put it, show yourself at your worst and it helps no one if you end up in hospital due to not been able to cope on a low income

 

[sandybob]

I have DLA.. my initial claim was dead easy cos i was just out of hospital after my brain haemorrhage

i'm now on the lowest rate (having been on highest rate for everything, so actually its a big step forward ..

forms forms forms ....

 

[ramboghettouk]

it's a terrible thing to say but i worry about been counted as better and having my DLA cut, mental health workers see red when i express that view

I'm 50 this year, there are 50 yr olds without illness and who also have work experience and work historys who can't get jobs, they're talking recession and the money i'm on just pays living expenses without me going out much or having a social life

REmember writing to a friend yrs ago "I've been very ill but i'm much better now" i didn't realise

 

[Dollit]

I've just noticed this thread (I'm recharging something via the computer and it's taking a long time so I'm having a good look round all my favourite sites!) and wanted to reply. I've been on DLA for about 5 years now and have to reapply every four years. I get the middle care rate because I sometimes have to have someone with me when I go out because I'm considered a danger to myself or others. I'm not going to expand on that. I find applying and re-applying very hard. I find it emotionally draining and usually end up in tears. I can't quite believe that the girl who was so full of promise and expectations has ended up like this - filling in the forms makes me very easily forget the achievements I have in my life right now, and they are considerable achievements. It is difficult to get because of proof etc but it is also difficult emotionally.

 

[ramboghettouk]

Problem is achievements are held against you by the benefit system, theres that huge list of changes of circumstances your supposed to declare any one of which can trigger a benefit review requiring forms and proffessionals to contact to fill in the forms

It reduces me to a terrible state the psychiatrist says "The benefit system will probably get more punitive in future but thats none of our concern" none of his concern he's on a good amount of money

 

[Lyra]

Thanks everyone - I think I'll give it a try - they can only say no can't they.

 

[ralph1]

Does anyone here get DLA and how easy was it to get this????

I have only just found this as well. One of the first answer things to learn is that you answer all questions from your worst day experiences. Sorry forget all self pride. If on your worst day you cannot cook a meal say no, Poper cooking that is, microwave meals dont count. if you cannot go out say no, if you gat confused when you are bad, you sayyou need someone to guide you to your destination and to see you safely across the roads.etc. always answer from a worst day or night point of view, but dont over egg it.

See if you can get the support of your gp or even better your consultant If you get a letter thaagreet says no, it will not give a reason. Phone them and ask for the reason. When they tell you, go away and think about it and then write in with your reasons to disagree. Dont expect the people to be experts, they are mostly jumped up little Erks.

It is worhwhile to fight for middle rate care as you will be able to claim severe disability premium which is another £49 per week.

Any questions ask me

 

[sandybob]

this might be helpful

http://www.rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/everyday_living/make_a_fresh_start/getting_the_right_benefits_and_getting_work/how_do_i_claim_1.html

 

[daffy]

I get DLA but my SW filled it in for me. Im sure if ihad filled it in i wouldnt have got it. Like Ralph1 says you have to state the worse. I was upset when my SW went thru mine but as she said some days you cant get out of bed or cook a meal. Other times when im high /low i need someone with me.

Apparantly they have made it much harder to get now and its at a lower rate.

But good luck all the same

 

[Dollit]

That's what I found so upsetting about doing the forms is that you have to look at yourself at your worst and even if the day you're filling in the form is a good day we all know those days don't last. I'm quite a tough person but it really does bring me to my knees. Luckily my GP & psych are willing to make statements and last time I did it so did one of my support team. I think they make it hard to keep the wasters away but I think they also presume that anyone who's sick enough to get this has people to do the form filling for them - I wish.

 

[daffy]

An aquaintance of mine, with a beautiful house and plenty of money but knows how to work the system has decided shes going to stop work and go on benefits (sickness) They also applied for a council bungalow and been approved on prioroty! Yet he walks every day carries shopping back , does all the housework and heavy gardening. Dont get me wrong he is ill but not that bad. They have been turned down for DLA b4 but now an housing official has said they can fill it in for them.

When i asked why they wanted a small flat she said 'oh i dont i want the money from my house then i can spend 6 months of the year on holiday. I know i shldnt be bitter cos they have both worked hard in there lives, but this is not the reason the system works for

 

[sandybob]

An aquaintance of mine, with a beautiful house and plenty of money but knows how to work the system has decided shes going to stop work and go on benefits (sickness) They also applied for a council bungalow and been approved on prioroty! Yet he walks every day carries shopping back , does all the housework and heavy gardening. Dont get me wrong he is ill but not that bad. They have been turned down for DLA b4 but now an housing official has said they can fill it in for them.

When i asked why they wanted a small flat she said 'oh i dont i want the money from my house then i can spend 6 months of the year on holiday. I know i shldnt be bitter cos they have both worked hard in there lives, but this is not the reason the system works for

who can blame them if the government make it so easy

Having said that, they are clamping down and people that claim falsely make it harder for the people who are genuinely entitled

I always feel so guilty filling in my forms now .. hence now getting the lowest rate. I am registered partially sighted, but i can do stuff, even if on my worst days i have no energy, no enthusiasm and no motivation

 

[Dollit]

Doesn't it just make you want to spit feathers? The system isn't perfect but genuine people are turned down and refused help every day. A bloke I know got caught out and made a point of getting drunk one night and telling the whole neighbourhood he wasn't to blame it was the person who shopped him, they were the real criminals... I could go on forever on this topic.

 

[daffy]

Sorry to say this but when i find out its been filled in i will make a phone call, and ask them to be watched for afew days b4 a decision is made. I wouldnt like them to get into serious trouble just to be warned about making false claims