DLA

Well, just being through the Disability Living Allowance 2 yearly reclaim. There's been a couple of changes.

I've been on DLA for a while. Not as long as I should have been - took a practice nurse at my excellent GP's explaining why I should have it before I claimed. The nuisance and stressful bit was being given top rate care and lower rate mobility, and having to reclaim every 2 years.

Part of the problem has been me :) I don't like the idea of being disabled and refused to accept it. It meant that on the application form, I tended to fill it in how well I did, rather than the reality of any difficulties I have to overcome. That's when I learned lesson number one. Don't fill it in yourself - seek the advice of a local Advice Centre.

Another thing about DLA is that if you don't have the support of your Health Care Professionals - your GP, Carer(s), Practice Nurse, AND someone who knows you well, and/or hospital, you just aren't going to get it. Because they ask them. Even then, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) may 'ask you in' for independent assessment by one of their Medical Advisory Panels. Brrr....

More, once the decision has been made by the DWP, if you think they've made a mistake, you have 28 days to contact them and correct them. If you don't do that, you have to appeal. Either way, you may find yourself having to explain in person to a Medical Advisory Panel why you disagree. In which case, it's in the lap of the gods, and very stressful. Well, I think so. Maybe it's a man thing.



There a number of benefits to being on DLA . For instance, it isn't means tested. You can work, and still get DLA. But the employment has to be within the context of the limitations of your disability. For instance, I use a wheelchair, but I can walk. Not far, but I can. If I should get a job as a football referee, golf professional, or even jog (I wish!) I'd be well and truly stuffed, considered a fraudster, as a few have recently, and I think rightly so.

If you are on Income Support, there are a variety of other benefits you can claim - which I'm not going into here - at least not yet - it all depends on individual circumstances. However, if you have a partner, whether working or on income support, and you get at least Medium Rate Care, you might have a look at Carers Allowance.

I've had my DLA reduced from higher rate care, and lower rate mobility, to be reclaimed every two years, to lower rate mobility, middle rate care. Indefinitely. I'm not going to appeal. I'm losing a lot, cash-wise, but that's balanced out by the 'indefinitely'.

Thats enough for now. If you have any questions, feel free to comment, and I'll do my best to answer or refer you to the appropriate answers elsewhere.

Bless you.