Claiming DLA

abbie41

I have given up my work as a private cleaner, because I couldnt walk upstairs and downstairs all the time, or carry hoovers. triggers sprays were painful on my wrists and pulling plugs in and out hurt too.
I have trouble with the stairs in my house and keep asking my hubby for an escalator

Seriously though....I have pain everyday and cant walk far etc...
I have seen you can apply for DLA with Arthritis, is it difficult?
would you give me advice or..
Is there a thread on here for advice you can point me too?

speedalong

Hi, and welcome,

I don't claim DLA but some other peeps who are suffering more than me do - they will be along to offer advice.

Applying is a time consuming and often frustrating process but worth it if you get some money at the end of it!! It seems you often have to apply, suffer being turned down, appeal and then they award you...

The Citizens advice bureau are real experts in helping people with the forms and process - I would recommend you get them to help you with your application.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

SPeedy

dreamdaisy

Hello abbie41, welcome to the gang. I applied for DLA years ago and it's all different now. I contacted Social Services and they sent me the form. I filled it in, gave them permission to contact anyone and everyone regarding my state of health at the time, et voila. I dimly recall already having my Blue Badge - it took me years to apply for DLA, too proud, so whether that helped or not I do not know.

I gather things are much tighter now, there are various threads on this, scattered on this forum here, there and everywhere. You can do a search, or perhaps contact the Helpline, they will be able to give you up-to-date information, I am sure. Wishing you well with it all, let us know how it goes. Dreamdaisy

only49

hi

i agree with speedy i would most definalty get in touch with the C A B as that what i did and they turned me down so i took the advice from the people on this forum and are in the process of appealing, so i think its with giving it a go but with the help of the C A B

bubbles

abbie41 wrote:

I have given up my work as a private cleaner, because I couldnt walk upstairs and downstairs all the time, or carry hoovers. triggers sprays were painful on my wrists and pulling plugs in and out hurt too.
I have trouble with the stairs in my house and keep asking my hubby for an escalator

Seriously though....I have pain everyday and cant walk far etc...
I have seen you can apply for DLA with Arthritis, is it difficult?
would you give me advice or..
Is there a thread on here for advice you can point me too?

I do receive DLA and am fighting tooth and nail for it to be increased. They base their awards on the amount of care that you need, throughout the day and or night. Things such as safety, cooking a main meal from sctratch, not just popping something in the microwave, do you need help getting dressed, washed, with medication, is your mood affected, does the medication make you unsteady or unsafe, can you be left alone, how far can you walk without being in pain and discomfort. There are two components, one is mobility and the other the care component, they each have different levels of award and you can receive one, or both.

There are loads of questions to answer, some of them very personal and repetative , but you have to be honest and say exactly how your daily life is affected, how much care you need, how often and for how long. IT is worth writing a little diary of times and levels of care you need.
You should have a local carers organisation and also welfare rights office, plus the CAB, who will all help you with the forms that land on your doorstep.
They are getting more and more strict on the criteria that you have to meet in order to qualify for any award. Your GP and Consultants can all help with the medical side of things and also support any facts about the level of care that you need.
Goodness I am rambling, but I have been there and wear the T shirt, so if there is anything else you feel you need to know, just PM me and I will help as much as possible. Take care XXX Bubbles.

carola

Hi Abbie

Many thanks for your message on my post earlier.

I have just applied for ESA and on Monday I am phoning them up to start the ball rolling on DLA. If I glean any handy tips I shall let you know.

Good luck with it. Don't take no for an answer and don't let the b*st*rds grind you down 8)

Much support and encouragement.
Keep smiling Carolx

only49

hi

i emailed arthritis care and told them my good news and thought that the pain survey swung the d l a in my favour so i would recommend doing just that and with the help of the C A B as well.

frogmorton

Hi abbie

theses days I wouldnt recommend doing the forms yourself. The days of doing that and succeeding re long gone.

Get help - that may be CAB or if not someone else in an associated area such as Age concern helped me with my Mum's (she has since died).

The other advice is to copy your replies as then you will remember what you wrote if there are any queries.

Can I wish you luck too.

Love

toni xx

dreamdaisy

Same post three times frogmorton - Windows 7 getting to you?! DD

abbie41

Thanks for the advice x

I was thinking of going to the CAB as my mum went there when she needed help with her forms. They helped enormously and she was awarded the top amount. I will let you know how I get on. The dreaded forms are winging there way to me as we type.