DLA CLAIM

emsjane

Hi All,

Ok, today ive decided to try and claim DLA!

Ive been out of work now since May 2011 and i feel i am no longer able to work due to my arthritis.

For those of you that have been through this process, I was just wondering whether you think i am likely to qualify.

I have arthritis in every finger and thumb and in most cases, two separate joints. I have arthritis in both hips, both ankles, my neck and my toes. My feet are painful all over when i walk and my knees are starting to hurt now too! My left elbow hurts too although the Rheumy seemed to think this was golfers elbow!! My lower back is also painful as soon as i start doing anything like vaccuming. Ive had an MRI lately and im waiting to hear about whether there is arthritis in my back too!

The problem is, although i get pain when i walk, (the DLA forms ask how far can you walk before severe discomfort), if im being honest, i can probably walk about half a mile before things start to really hurt. I dont walk quickly anymore and i use a stick most of the time, but i can still walk!!!! Ive put on the form that i can walk 500 metres before severe discomfort, but ive added a note saying i am in pain as soon as i start walking but not severe discomfort until ive been walking for 5/10 minutes. And even this varies from day to day and depending on the whether. Some days i can walk all the way around the park with my dog and not been too uncomfortable, other days its agony as soon as i start walking and just carries on getting worse and worse!!

Do you think this means i wont qualify for DLA??? Any advice would be appreciated. I know how helpful you all are x

Soretoe2

Hi Emsjane, This is a tricky one. What you have described should get you an award, which level is up to point system.
You will be awarded points for the difficulties that you have, they will be added up and whatever the answer is gives the award or not.
You must state how you are on your very worst day and really think about what you can and can't do and the degree of pain and difficulty you have.
They are particularly interested in how far you walk and how difficult and painful it is. Also if you are unable to do everyday tasks easily due to hand/arm problems or need other people to help you with the basics of life such as help getting dressed or in your personal care. How you can't do certain household tasks because of the pain and need help cooking etc;
My husband and mother both wrote a letter about how they see my life affected by my disabilities after my gp suggested it, which we put in the reply pack.
If you have a regular repeat prescription put a copy in when you send it.
They will contact your gp and any consultant that you have seen in the last two years or so.
The reports will then come back and they will assess you from the points you have and the answers to their enquiries with the docs.
The more help you need to do everyday tasks the more likely you will be awarded DLA.
I don't expect anyone will be able to say that you definitely qualify. It depends on the whole picture.
Always photocopy everything you send off as well.
I wish you the greatest of luck and hope that you will receive good news when you get a reply.Joy

tjt6768

hi hun.
It sounds to me that you should qualify, but these people can't see sense a lot of the time.. It's such an awful thing that we have to jump (yeah right) through their ridiculous hoops... All I can say is that I agree for sure with photo copying everything you send in, I always send things recorded delivery too so they can't say they didn't get it..

I wish you the very very best of luck with your claim mi dear..
Xx

elsa56

Whatever you do DONT try to fill the form out alone as you won't get anything.
I went to Age Concern as mine got rejected and they contacted DlA for another form and are going to help me fill it in. Welfare rights can also help.
I waited 3 months to be told that I was only entitled to the lowest rate as I cant prepare meals for myself.
Although on the form I had told them that I get help with bathing and have to use a walking stick and crutches. I find it painfull to put tights or socks on and am in alot of pain when I am walking. All this was on my form plus alot more and it was still no.
Good luck
Elsa56 xx

SteveBurns

emsjane I do hope its not too late - have you sent the form off to DLA? If so you definitely will not get the award!

I am very experienced at this, having had DLA and then had it taken from me, in the process of awaiting an appeal, who knows if I will get it back.

Your problem is the walking ability. You have stated a fair distance that you can walk, they look for severe discomfort and only able to walk about 50 metres, if at all, in severe discomfort.

I am in severe discomfort when I stand and walking hurts even more so I just answered NIL metres.

There are two sides to DLA, one is mobility the other is care.

Both of them depend on what you can do and not what your condition is. For example you may have the most severe painful condition but if you can manage to walk and look after yourself you will not get either type.

You could have a mild form of OA but struggle to peel potatoes for example, you may then qualify for the care component at the lowest rate.

It is very complex but on no account must you tell them you can walk any sort of distance even with severe discomfort.

Sorry if I am the bearer of bad news but I can only give my opinion and that is based on experience.

emsjane

Thank you everyone. I have gone back over the form and made some adjustments!! I realise reading the question again about walking that as I am in pain when i walk, i should put NIL metres!!!

Its strange how i view myself, as having had arthritis for 14 years now, i don't realise how bad i am and ive been in pain for so long now i think my perception of severe pain is not how it should be!! I think its just wishful thinking on my part that im not as bad as i am and over this last year ive had to come to the realisation that ive got a lot worse!!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me that i qualify x

Helenbothknees

Its strange how i view myself, as having had arthritis for 14 years now, i don't realise how bad i am and ive been in pain for so long now i think my perception of severe pain is not how it should be!! I think its just wishful thinking on my part that im not as bad as i am and over this last year ive had to come to the realisation that ive got a lot worse!!

I know that feeling, sounds exactly like me before I had my TKRs. You forget what 'normal' people feel like, you get so used to pain.

Getting advice and help from the CAB etc is a good idea, but I read a lot of advice on the internet and then filled in the form alone, and got DLA for a year. So it IS possible. Good luck, and remember that if they turn you down you can appeal.

arfaitis

Mention you have to use a stick to walk.
You may have to have a medical, I did. They will get a report from your GP, and possibly your consultant, if you attend hospital
I believe you will get it with no problem, also remember to photocopy your form so you remember what you have written.


Arfa

Loulou11

I agree with Steveburns I started work under the DDA as a civil servant and then had my DLA stopped saying I could go to work, even though I drove to work sat down all day and others got my lunch for me. These are the same people who employed me!! So they knew my circumstances, if you can walk any amount even just 10 Mtrs in mild pain you won't qualify, don't fill the form yourself a benefits welfare officer is best as they know how to phrase things. Good luck and if they say no please appeal as you have extra expenses that this money should help you with.

Airwave!

Hey DD!
Tell it like it is on a bad day, they come along more often these days. I take it we are talking mobility claim?

Work is a difficult thing, if the right sort of work turned up with part time then we could all have a go but you never know how you will feel on that day and should you have to work when you're in pain? If you would end up off 'sick' more often than working then should you be in work?

Age UK do a wonderful service, filling in the forms properly for you, they look at things with a more acute eye.

SteveBurns

DLA is not about work, the form does not ask about work at all. You can work and get DLA.

Problem is when they start to ask questions like - do you work? How do you get to work? If you drive how far is it? How do you get from the car park to your job? etc. etc.

If you are a man they may ask how do you shave?

Good luck with the application, good you have altered the walking question.