Will I get DLA?

Dottydoodah

Hi
I am new here and very glad I found your site.
I have been suffering on my own for quite sometime.
I am writing to ask peoples opinions on getting DLA.
My daughter keeps on at me to claim for DLA but I am not sure I would get it and to be honest I am a bit embarrassed about it.
Here is a list of my problems
Arthritis in both hips and lower spine which is painful 24/7 even when just sitting
Insulin dependant diabetic
Bi Polar
several other more minor issues

Would i be eligible do think?
In all honesty i am mostly interested in the higher mobility rate so i can have transport. I find walking anywhere extremely painful.

Thanks for your replies in advance0

barbara12

Hi Dotty
And a very warm welcome from me
You certainly do qualify for dla, you must get help with form, and put on your worst day...walking etc and what help you need day and night.
When you have filled the forms in, you must make a copy for future reference...very important..
Some people are getting turned down...quite a lot really...if this is the case then you must appeal.
I am glad you have found us, I have been on this forum around 18 months now and it is such a friendly forum, everyone supports one another...and if you want a laugh pop into chitchat...
Barbara x

Dottydoodah

Thanks for your reply Tinkerbelle and Barbara
My story is quite complicated but in short I have put up with the pain for several years partof which i was living in Australia. I didnt seek help or diagnosis as medical bills down there are very expensive.
We returned to UK 2yrs ago, but I still didnt seek treatment. Over the last year it has deteriorated so bad that I had no choice and xrays came back saying i had it in the spine and both hips. My GP has referred me to a surgeon but my appointment is not until 20th of April
I has got to the point where my husband has to get me in and out of chairs and also in and out of bed. I cant have a bath, and my husband has to put my clothes on the lower half of my body.
I dont know how he puts up with me really.
I would love to pop into chat. Since coming back to UK I havent found it easy to make friends seeing as i cant do much because of this awful disease!!! Will be nice to chat to people who understand
Thanks again for the replies

barbara12

Hi Dotty
You will never be alone on here, even in the night we have people walking the corridors .
Like you I have OA in my spine and hips...I have seen a consultant and my hips are quite bad, but he is trying to find if the pain could be coming from my back....complex really.
Right back to you, if you need to talk more we are always here, and there is the helpline at the top of the page...they are wonderful...
You will make lots of good friends on here.
Take care...
Love
Barbara xx

Dottydoodah

I had a quick look for chit chat but couldnt find it. Will try again later as my long suffering man is taking me into the garden for coffee and a bun!

Barbara so sorry to hear about your OA. Sounds very similar to mine.

julie47

Hi dotty

welcome to the forum from me too. I am sure that you will find it helpful.

I hope you are granted dla, It has been a big help to me with all the mobility equipment I have had to buy over the yearss.

Take care
and good luck
Juliepf x

frogmorton

Hi Dotty

Good to meet you a big welcome from me as well.

I think it is rteally well-worth trying for DLA....these days it is getting really hard to get it as they seem to be almost turning people down first try out of principle

Therefore l suggest that you get yourself some good help completing the forms from someone such as CAB to maximise your chances.

What upsets me is that it was designed for people like yourself and going back awhile you'd have got it first go no probs :x

Do not let this put you off trying though please you really should be entitled 100%

Love

Toni xx

Dottydoodah

Thanks for the welcome Julie and Frog

I will definitely need help filling out forms as i've never claimed anything in my life up until now. It just makes you feel like a scrounger and its embarrassing.

frogmorton

Dottydoodah wrote:

Thanks for the welcome Julie and Frog

I will definitely need help filling out forms as i've never claimed anything in my life up until now. It just makes you feel like a scrounger and its embarrassing.

Try not to feel like that Dotty!!! Ring up for a form and it will have a date stamp on it when you have to return it by (then they backdate it to the day you rang) then ring up CAB. you can start making a note of any addresses and telephone numbers you may need ready now. - such at GP.

Be brave - it might just be the best thing you ever did.

Love

Toni xx

Dottydoodah

I took your advice Toni. I am waiting for the form to come now.

bubbles

Hi Dotty, a big welcome to the forum, you will find everyone as helpful as they possibly can be, often going through similar difficulties, so, you are not alone, at any time.

I am sure you can qualify for DLA, from what you have said. Unless a person meets special needs, then form filling is the lengthy part. Try not to be daunted by it all, you will find that you have to repeat things, over and over again. The awards are based on your mobility problems and your care needs, how often you need care from another person, how long this takes and how frequent this is. They will ask if you are at risk and a danger to yourself or others. There will be questions about social aspects, do you go out, do you need help when out, are you in danger if not with another person. If the care needs are significant and frequent, then you are likely to be awarded care allowance. There are different levels and you can hop onto the .gov website to find out more details.
They will contact your GP and or Specialist if they need clarification. The actual illness does not seem to automatically mean an award being granted, it is needs based, you don't always have to actually receive the care every time, but the fact that you need it, is important.

I would always say, keep a copy of all your forms and letters, talk to your GP about it and let them know that you are applying for DLA, they might welcome a copy of the form, as they are often not aware of every problem and care need that we experience on a daily basis.

I seem to be rambling on, so I will be quiet now. Do come into the cafe for a cup of T and calorie free cakes. Take care, XX Bubbles

Dottydoodah

Thanks for your lovely post Bubbles.
Calorie free cakes huh?? now that would make someone a fortune if they could make them nice enough to sell!!

bubbles

Dottydoodah wrote:

Thanks for your lovely post Bubbles.
Calorie free cakes huh?? now that would make someone a fortune if they could make them nice enough to sell!!

No trouble at all Dotty, I have been a firm campaigner for those of us who have, are going through, or are in receipt of DLA. I should get a T shirt printed I will put the kettle on in val's cafe, in chit chat, if you need a cuppa

cythna

Hi Dotty, like everyone else, I think you should definately apply, it certainly sounds like you need it. It might be an idea to get help filling in the form, perhaps someone from the CAB or your local money advice centre if you have one, because they know what to ask, and how to express your ideas.

One other thing-you might think of getting an Occupational Therapist to have a look at your situation, especially if, as you say, you can't get in the bath. You could just ring the hospital, or contact someone via Anchor Staying Put, who do all sorts of adaptions for homes. There are grants available, but they are means tested. Having adaptions can make life so much easier.

Good luck!

Susan

Dottydoodah

Good thinking.
I am not sure if i can ring the hospital until i have had my initial appointment with them which isnt till 20th April next week. Maybe I could just ask when i go there.

Dottydoodah

Wow!
I only rang up about it yesterday and I have got the form already. Good grief its a bit daunting!

ironic

Hi Dotty,
Welcome to the forum. Well done for getting the form, I cannot add to the good advice you have had on here but I will wish you luck for a speedy answer. Good idea about getting in touch with the OT department.
Good luck with everything.
Lv, Ix

Dottydoodah

ironic wrote:

Hi Dotty,
Welcome to the forum. Well done for getting the form, I cannot add to the good advice you have had on here but I will wish you luck for a speedy answer. Good idea about getting in touch with the OT department.
Good luck with everything.
Lv, Ix

thanks for the welcome ironic

i think i will ring OT tomorrow