Entitled To DLA ?

[ridgewayuk]

I asked this in the benefits form and got a answer however my wife has asked me to post it here also

 

"Good afternoon all, My wife has been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis, Her GP has supported her application for a blue badge stating she can walk no more than 50 meters without stopping, Would this entitle her to DLA ? I'm guessing there is no simple yes/no answer but it would be appreciated it someone could give me at least an idea.

 

Thanks in advance."

[Bookworm]

There's no need to duplicate threads, hun.

[EYEBALLS01]

My wife has problems walking any distance and uses 2 sticks or a wheelchair. She has had the higher rate of DLA for about 7 years although at the last medical they dropped it down but with the help of my local Social Services we won our appeal. When you fill in the forms put the worse case scenario or worst day.If you say sometimes to any question they will use this to deny the benefit. Do the same for the care component. Be prepared that they may reject your first application as this seems to be the norm. Don`t give up as this is what they want! Try and get someone from social services to help you,photocopy everything and see if you can get a letter from a Consultant. What about incapacity benefit? If she has worked and paid National Insurance you should look in to this. Good luck

[ridgewayuk]

My wife has problems walking any distance and uses 2 sticks or a wheelchair. She has had the higher rate of DLA for about 7 years although at the last medical they dropped it down but with the help of my local Social Services we won our appeal. When you fill in the forms put the worse case scenario or worst day.If you say sometimes to any question they will use this to deny the benefit. Do the same for the care component. Be prepared that they may reject your first application as this seems to be the norm. Don`t give up as this is what they want! Try and get someone from social services to help you,photocopy everything and see if you can get a letter from a Consultant. What about incapacity benefit? If she has worked and paid National Insurance you should look in to this. Good luck

 

Thanks, On Bad days she uses a crutch (my old one from breaking my ankle playing football lol) Could she get a stick from the GP ?

 

Sorry I forgot to mention the main worry is as she is only 33 that a DLA claim would be refused because she is so young even though on a letter from her GP it states she is suffering from non-temporary "severe osteoarthritis" and she really struggles just to get round a supermarket, If it wasnt for the trolly she wouldnt,

 

She has been out of work for 8 year brining up our 2 children and as such has been told there is no Incap for her.

 

Your help is much appreciated.

[EYEBALLS01]

My wife is now 42 but became ill with ME/CFS in 1997 and was medically retired from the Civil Service so age shouldn`t matter. You should possibly ask your GP to refer her to an Occupationa Therapist who will look at her needs in and out of the house. This would include walking aids. Also bannister rails/stairlifts,kitchen appliances, help with toilet and bedroom mobility. Don`t be put off by the pack they send you but I reiterate use her worse day. I don`t know where you live but my wife gets direct payments from my Council (Kent) to pay for carers and they have allowed me to be paid as one even though I work. I can claim under the NI freshold of £90 less tax.Let me know if I can be of any more help.

[ridgewayuk]

My wife is now 42 but became ill with ME/CFS in 1997 and was medically retired from the Civil Service so age shouldn`t matter. You should possibly ask your GP to refer her to an Occupationa Therapist who will look at her needs in and out of the house. This would include walking aids. Also bannister rails/stairlifts,kitchen appliances, help with toilet and bedroom mobility. Don`t be put off by the pack they send you but I reiterate use her worse day. I don`t know where you live but my wife gets direct payments from my Council (Kent) to pay for carers and they have allowed me to be paid as one even though I work. I can claim under the NI freshold of £90 less tax.Let me know if I can be of any more help.

 

Thanks for that, She asked if welfare rights is the place to go to to get help with the form or should she just submit it and if/when knocked back then go to welfare rights ?

 

Thanks again

[EYEBALLS01]

As I said speak to your social services and see if they have a dedicated advisor or try Citizens Advise. Having experienced the pitfalls first hand it`s worth trying to get what help you can. If they send around a medical expert who will be a DWP appointed GP don`t do what we initially did and put a brave face on it. He/She will go through the forms you submitted so as I said keep a copy you can refer to. Also ask the advisor about Incapacity benefit. You never know. Hope you have a better 2009.My wife managed to get out of hosptal this afternoon with pneumonia but we have nebuliser and oxygen on hand.

[ridgewayuk]

Thanks for the help, We couldn't get any appointments, They said they are too busy, However if the application is rejected then they can help, So I posted it Saturday, Thanks again.

[EYEBALLS01]

Ok good luck. Remember don`t be disheartened and give up. Let me know how you got on or if you need any more help

[ridgewayuk]

Ok good luck. Remember don`t be disheartened and give up. Let me know how you got on or if you need any more help

 

Thank you, It really is appreciated, Will keep you updated on how it goes.

[ridgewayuk]

She was granted a blue badge last week so hope that's good news, Didn't know she applied for it lol

[EYEBALLS01]

That`s great news you normally have to be on high rate mobility first. Your GP and she must have made a v good case . Well done to her;).