DLA Dilemna

elainebadknee

Hi All

Im in a bit of a dilemna about whether or not to apply for DLA....For those who know me then you will know my mobility issue for those who dont, 42year old got osteochondritis dissecans in left knee, losing weight for TKR at wigan as where i live (cumbria) wouldnt see me re age and weight so its been a struggle...
Am on ESA which was only overturned last october....Members of family and mates say its so obvious that i would qualify for DLA as i cant kneel, stand for more than 10mins, squat, sit/get up from low chairs, go up and down more than 6 or more steps.....I say well i manage as i do got to gym to try and lose weight, go to hydro and aqua exercises once a week plus short walks and armchair leg exercises, dumbbell exercises....So i reckon if they knew all that then they would turn me down flatly....But i cannot do things in house, cant do bath in bathroom cannot get something off floor, for example sky box been playing up 2nite could i get down to it, heck no¬!!!.........I know also that my NI contributions will run out soon and may be put on JSA soonish....But im also hoing to have my target weight and get booked in for op by end of september (hoefully op by 2012 ealry on).....So one way or another the government ar going to hear from me...I guess im frightened if i put in this DLA claim then my name will spring up and i may lose ESA sooner....Friend has said she will help me fill in form, what to put down as have family members....
Im unsure what to do, i know the income if got it would help as im contributin not a lot to the household...
Elainex

suncatcher

Dla is not income based. I have the low rate. Even if you work you can get it. I would apply as you should have this. If you have a condition which is regarded as disability you are entitled to it. Id go for it from joanne

Ankyspond

Hi apply for it you sound as though you need it. When I applied I used advice from a site called 'benefitS and work' it cost about £15 but advice was fantastic. Tell you how to answer questions in three stages and gives you examples, tells you what they may ask and everything you need to know really worth it.

Good luck. X

kellerman

I'm new here but my advise would be you have nothing to lose.
I have been reading forums where it is refused but some people seem to be getting it.
I've never had any benifits even when I had cancer but thats because I didn't know anything about them and nobody breaks there neck(sorry) to tell you.
The site mentioned is excellent but read any information you can find,there is plenty.
I haven't applied because I don't know yet what my pain is for sure but if ,after I have seen a specialist and the pain is not controlled I will apply.
Try welfare rights usually at your local council. My friend's husband found them great.
Best of luck

janie68

Hi Elaine

As you say that if they knew all the info re gym, walks etc etc then they would probably say no, you have to unable or virtually unable to walk. As for care needs, do you need help dressing, toileting, turning in bed, shoering,bathing? If so how long each day?

But get a form and have a look anyway, you could try and you never know, get reports from consultant, gp,physio,nurse to back up your claim.

Good luck

Janie

dreamdaisy

Having read what you can do, I would say that compared to many you are relatively 'abled'. You may not think that yourself but to qualify for DLA needs more than just not being able to kneel down or stand for ten mninutes. You will never know until you try but as others who are far worse off in terms of physical difficulties are now routinely turned down I suspect you will be unlucky. I do, however, wish you well in your endeavours. DD

elainebadknee

Joanne

Yes I am aware of that but ESA is based on income and if you havent built up enough NI's then you get put on JSA that and if you havent found a job as im in the category that I get suypposed "help"....within a year they cut it!!!

Elainex

suncatcher wrote:

Dla is not income based. I have the low rate. Even if you work you can get it. I would apply as you should have this. If you have a condition which is regarded as disability you are entitled to it. Id go for it from joanne

elainebadknee

Hi

Its just such a dileman as others have pointed out there are worse off but a couple of years ago i held down a job was fit to do most things and though i go to gym its to lose weight for op or they would leave me to rot till im 65 and i also have one-to-one trainer with me every step of the way...

Elainex

Ankyspond wrote:

Hi apply for it you sound as though you need it. When I applied I used advice from a site called 'benefitS and work' it cost about £15 but advice was fantastic. Tell you how to answer questions in three stages and gives you examples, tells you what they may ask and everything you need to know really worth it.

Good luck. X

elainebadknee

Hi KM...

Yeah i think its bad that you dont get it while you have cancer i mean it could kill you, can it get any worse???

Elainex

kellerman wrote:

I'm new here but my advise would be you have nothing to lose.
I have been reading forums where it is refused but some people seem to be getting it.
I've never had any benifits even when I had cancer but thats because I didn't know anything about them and nobody breaks there neck(sorry) to tell you.
The site mentioned is excellent but read any information you can find,there is plenty.
I haven't applied because I don't know yet what my pain is for sure but if ,after I have seen a specialist and the pain is not controlled I will apply.
Try welfare rights usually at your local council. My friend's husband found them great.
Best of luck

elainebadknee

Hiya

Well as ive said above im no gym bunny its to try and lose weight and I can use equipment only with someone there all the time.....I do mostly with my arms....I dont need help dressing but do things in my own way, I cant stand to put on undies as leg wont stand on that leg, lose balance, cant have a bath....
Im not what you would call a fit woman my age my parents can do much more than me and they are 79 and 80 respectively...

Elainex

janie68 wrote:

Hi Elaine

As you say that if they knew all the info re gym, walks etc etc then they would probably say no, you have to unable or virtually unable to walk. As for care needs, do you need help dressing, toileting, turning in bed, shoering,bathing? If so how long each day?

But get a form and have a look anyway, you could try and you never know, get reports from consultant, gp,physio,nurse to back up your claim.

Good luck

Janie

elainebadknee

Hi

Yes i know there are people worse off than me and I can do things in short bursts....But also there are people who are worse off than me and can still go on holiday, I cannot do that, cant even go up to relatives as 1. car journey too long for me to do...2. once there cannot trail around with people out shopping all day, resricted to being in house.....I know there is more criteria than i have cited also but i have lots of limitations...

Elainex

dreamdaisy wrote:

Having read what you can do, I would say that compared to many you are relatively 'abled'. You may not think that yourself but to qualify for DLA needs more than just not being able to kneel down or stand for ten mninutes. You will never know until you try but as others who are far worse off in terms of physical difficulties are now routinely turned down I suspect you will be unlucky. I do, however, wish you well in your endeavours. DD