DLA / Carers Allowance

qvqv
qvqv Member Posts: 3
edited 27. Nov 2012, 04:57 in Living with Arthritis archive
I suffer from Psoriatic Arthritis particularly in my hands, and feet and probably in other joints.

I take Humira and Methotrexate.

I also have a spinal cord injury which means I need help with toileting at nights and other problems at night time.

During the day the joints become freerer and sometimes symptom less.

For this I have above allowances.

My question is, if I get a remission for a few weeks, should I notify the DHSS?

During the remissions I become very symptom free, and very mobile and active.

The reason I ask is that I don't want to be caught for benefit fraud.

I would appreciate your thoughts and experiences.

Thanks

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello qvqv and welcome to the forum. I can't help as such but why not ask the benefits helpline? https://www.gov.uk/benefit-enquiry-line
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,826
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I expect it would depend for how long?

    I mean you'd think if 5 days out of 7 you needed help you would still be entitled, but if you had 6 months pain-free maybe not :? .

    Thing is it's worrying rocking the boat isn't it?

    Actually getting the benefit in the first place is hard enough.

    I think I would rather ask someone like DIAL or CAB first :?

    love

    Toni xx
  • qvqv
    qvqv Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the 2 replies.

    I have considered ringing them as suggested by stickywicket, bit I am sure I cannot speak to them anonymously. Say the wrong thing and I loose the benefit. But I do not want to break the law and be prosecuted.

    I feel quite uncomfortable receiving this benefit and when I leave home I really do worry about being followed, silly I know.

    The PA in my feet is v bad in a morning but later in the day sometime I walk quite normally and can even walk quite distance. But yet if I sit a chair for long I have to walk in the seated position for a few steps before being able to stand up.

    What a quandary!
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If your situation has always fluctuated as you describe, qvqv, then they would clearly have taken that into account when awarding it.

    If, however, you are generally better now than when it was awarded you are taking a risk as we are all warned on the regular letter updates that we must report any improvements.

    How about asking your GP for an opinion? That would be confidential.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright

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