Question re DLA procedure

Ouch

Hello everyone,

Sorry I haven't been back on in about a week. Pain levels are quite horrible and I've been trying to keep myself busy with my design work.

I have a question about DLA. I was informed that I request the forms from th DLA and that they date stamp them and I have to get it back to them within 30 days. Fine - understand that. But then I was reading about the claim on their website and it says I can download the forms from theere and send them in. Is that correct?

I've only seen my GP and the ortho consultant regarding my arthritis. Is that going to be enough? Would the ortho folks provide the DLA people with my x-rays (more like a horror film)? I just want to make sure I have everything lined up. I am eligible to claim on May 4. Reading through the claim form, I may not get the higher care unit, but will certainly get the highest mobility unit (in a fair and realistic world).

I am increasingly chair- or bed-bound. The pain is excruciating (seeing my GP next week re pain meds). I can feel the bones grinding on each other whenever I walk and my knee often feels as if it is going to come apart and I'm going to fall. Just this morning, I nearly fell coming out of the shower (a bath is impossible to get in and out of).

I'm so worried about the possibility of not getting DLA. I don't know how we would cope. My husband's ESA payments have started up again, pending his appeal, so that is some good news.

Bette Davis was right - aging ain't no place for sissies.

Ouch (aka Martha) x

Airwave!

Hi Ouch,
S'funny, I used to walk round and say 'ouch', trying to quantify how often it hurt.

Ok, DLA, if you download from the web, you still need to print it, 49 pages or so will take most of a ink cartridge or two, its all done on the date, so let them send it at their cost. The medical information about you must be quite extensive, already, so if they need more info they know where to get it. Yes, it should be in by a date, but if it isn't and you have a reason, thats usually accepted.

The questions may seem like a job interview, you don't always know what they're trying to get at. Age UK do a wonderful job of helping people fill in these forms and they don't get turned down very often, try them or CAB etc etc.

Tell it like it is on a bad day, thats the truth isn't it. Good luck.

Ouch

Thank you so much for the information. I've only been back in the UK since 4 Nov, hence the short time in which I have been seen by the GP and the ortho. I had an arthroscopy before leaving back in 2008, so I hope that will be in my records as well.

Will ask for packet from DLA folks, then. And will also contact Age UK.

Many thanks!

Ouch

Ouch

Thank you, Delboy. Any and all assistance gratefully received!

Age UK has informed me I am too young for them. That's the first time I've heard I'm too young in a very long time!

frogmorton

Hi Ouch

l agree with Airwave let them send you the forms then you can get CAB to help you make sure they are worded rightly.....you can go wrong at this stage. Might be an idea to get your appt sorted sooner rather than later as lots and lots of people are asking for their help these days.

Can l wish you all the very best with your application

Love

toni xx

Ouch

Hi Toni,

Thank you for the good wishes. It appears I'm going to need them.

The local CAB doesn't have any appointments until late June, so I won't be able to use them as the packet is going out today and late June would put me well of the one month deadline (although the smart-*ss girl at CAB remarked quite sarcastically that I had 6 weeks "actually").

I have a friend who helps folks with their DLA claims and she has had an 80% success rate, so I will take up her offer of help. She said she has been studying them for years and has come to realise what sorts of words and what kind of language to use. Once I get the forms, I will work with her and hope for the best.

The next couple of months are going to be crucial for us. My son-in-law was made redundant and my daughter has had her hours reduced, so they can no longer help us out. We are going to apply for housing, but where we want to be, which is up north where, apparently, it is easier to get housing.

Right now, my husband's ME and fibromyalgia is quite bad. This affects his bipolar, so it's all very dire here. But we will survive - we always have and we always will. I'm an eternal optimist (well, someone has to be)...

M
xx

Ouch

My husband and I have been so busy with moving, I forgot to write here again to say I received my decision back and it was...YES! I was given highest care allowance (my husband is going to register as my carer) and the higher mobility allowance, which we have turned into a the Motobility scheme. The pain doesn't let up and the mobility is crap, but it is nice to have the assistance.

I did the form myself, without any assistance. Was so surprised and pleased with the result. It is only until 2013, but that's fine. I doubt my situation will be different and I'm more than happy to go through a review at that time.

I also received my blue badge the other day, so when I do get out, it will be a bit easier.

All in all, I am pleased, but more than that, I am relieved.

chile168

Hi Ouch,

I agree that downloading and printing will be costly on ink. I also agree that if you can get help then do because they are a PAIN (sorry lol) to deal with.

I would suggest that if possible, get a photocopy of every page you fill in.

Good Luck xxxx

janie68

It is good to hear that you were successful with DLA.

I found it a relief for me and that I was recognised that I am disab
Ed if that makes sense?

Enjoy your car, I love mine!

Janie

Ouch

Hi Janie -

Yes, I never thought I'd welcome the official validation of my disability, but I feel much calmer now. And we do love the car - having that sense of freedom to get around (and not having to pay out massive amounts in taxi fares) has helped immensely.

Martha

tkachev

Congratulations Martha. The car is there to help people like you. Its just a shame so many have to fight so hard to get help. I'm so glad you are getting some much needed help.

You say you won't get any better by 2013? Some medications will/ could help and so will some joint replacements if required. Please don't feel like this is as good as it gets.....

I have indefinate DLA (although they are now changing DLA again) but they are just waiting for me to have a THR and an ankle fusion then they will pull the plug.

Elizabeth

Ouch

Hi Elizabeth,

It is so nice to have this kind of help. I am so grateful that this sort of help is in place. We are going to be applying for the carer's allowance next for my husband. He is an absolute star.

The reason I say I won't be better is that I've been informed that I am not eligible for a replacement due to my age (too young) and weight (too heavy). I am trying very hard to lose some weight, but I am not having any success due to my inability to do fairly intense exercise. I am now doing physio and will be starting a pain clinic in September. Even the physio has said that they can only help with the supporting muscles, but that they can't make the arthritis any better nor help with the pain. So, I am making the best of a bad situation.

I am a very optimistic person and refuse to be brought down by this! I am doing well with my self-employment (something I can do sitting down) and I am moving forward with helping my husband get his business really going (he is a landscape photographer).

Martha