DLA - Successful

lazicat

I have just been awarded DLA High Rate Mobility & Care, on my first attempt , it took 16 weeks to come through. I have severe posterior osteoartritis of my right hip osteoartritis of left hip & a bladder problem. I am on the waiting list for THR of right hip. My mobility is very poor & Im in constant pain, even with maximum meds I dont get much relief. Im 50yrs old & this came on quite suddenly & has been a huge shock.
Im hoping to have my operation between August & October. Can anyone tell me if I should notify DLA as soon as I have my operation , or how long I will be able to claim for , will it stop immediately ? Will I always be classed as disabled now with a hip replacement ? I have never claimed any sort of benefit before , so its very new to me, and Im unable to work now.
Ive now also applied for a blue badge, is there anything else I could be entitled to ? I live with my husband who works full time & my teenage children who are at college. Im finding it very difficult to cope at home.
Im terrified at the thought of the operation , but cant carry on like this either !
Any advice would be great.

DebraKelly

Many congrats on getting DLA, this is truely a success story for those of us who have been trying to get DLA and failed.

Well done.

janjankay58

Thats great news well done! you will also be able to get a free bus pass.


jan x

fowls48

Well done i'm really pleased for you .

fowls 48

woodbon

That's really good news! Don't worry about the DLA, it will be a while before you are able to get about and it may be that you'll need to stay on it for a while after the op. So I'd put that out of my mind for the moment and just live day by day, you sound as if you've got enough to cope with at the moment.
Love Sue

SteveBurns

Look at your DLA approval letters, they will tell you to notify a change of condition.

You can do this by telephone and I advise to do it as soon as you are on your feet after the op.

If you do not tell them you can come a cropper because they have fraud investigators who will pull you in if they think you are not notifying any and I mean ANY change of condition.

The operation is meant to take away your pain by removing the problem. You will, hopefully, eventually be pain free therefore no longer disabled.

Sorry to tell it as it is but that's the truth.

Take care

liesa

well done, hope it helps make you a tad comfy xx


when i had a renewal due the DWP or whoever happened to call my home to speak with me as i had put i was on the waiting list to have a knee replacement, when she called i had been home just a day 10 days post op...

now fighting for DLA i have the mobility which is so important for me as i cant walk, bone scans showed arthritis in both hips... 1 is a killer....

lazicat

Thanks for all the replies. Thought tone of Steves reply was a bit out of order ! I have never claimed anything before & Im 50yrs old , so trying to do the right thing. I dont think one operation will sort me out completely anyway , hope it improves my situation though & then my surgeon will decide whats next depending on my post op recovery. Plus Im likely to be having a bladder operation too. I want to be 100% again , as Im sure everyone does , but realistically this may not happen , I can only wait & see.
I was amazed to get DLA at first attempt , but my consultant & gp had said Im in a bad way & mobility very poor, housebound unless someone is with me.
Im certainly not the sort of person who wants to be on benefit for the rest of my life , but it will certainly help take some of the worry away over the next few months. Ive always worked & paid my tax, so think Im entitled to a bit of help.
My blue badge has arrived now , & this was all I wanted really, but had to claim DLA to get it as was refused without it.
I was only wondering if I would be classed as disabled after my THR or as good as new , not from a benefits point of view !

fowls48

Hi Lazicat

Well done too you i am really pleased for you.Please do not take this the wrong way , but maybe steve came over a bit strong as these people soon take away what they give you , and it has been heartbreaking for some of the people on this website when it has been done to them .I know what you are saying, i have worked for 30 years i have 3 jobs and i do not know if i will be able to keep on doing them, and will i get the help i need ?.
I really wish you well for the future i truly do , hope i have not come across as lecturing you .but good for you , its nice to have some Happy news for a change .

lots of love
karen xx

liesa

@ Steve, i had a total knee replacement 5 years ago come june 21st, my knee has not worked the same/similar or better in fact mine became worse after surgery, i have constant pain in my knee along with nerve pain down to my toes
i have been so low at times because of how i am now... wont go into details but even personal things are a no go... believe me i'm so not alone now diagnosed with 'complex regional pain syndrome' as well as RA..... i have wished i wasnt here several times when at my lowest, the operation was meant to be the best thing ever in my life we got ourselves a new puppy a great dane what we always wanted and thought with exercising him each and everyday would help... so wrong... not everyone responds in the same way, yes of course tell how things are but also give yourself time to heal and dont overdo it x

SteveBurns

lazycat I'm sorry if you thought I was a bit heavy with my tone but there are times when people need to be told as it really is.

I am very close to someone who was on DLA and an anonymous whistle blower upset the applecart. Probably jealous of the motability car on the front path.

There was a three month period of surveillance then an interview under caution. He is now awaiting his appeal because DLA was removed immediately with a back calculation of benefit over £2000.

He is really bad on his legs but they did see him doing a few things they think he shouldn't. Don't we all have one good day?

If the appeal fails he may be prosecuted, and yes it is real.

All I say is be careful and make sure you tell them any change in circumstances. Even a change in pain relief will go against you if it helps you to walk without pain and discomfort.