Osteoarthritis - DLA?

rotoguys · 1 February 2012 at 9:36PM

rogerblack wrote: »

Again, you're assuming that all decisions look at all the available evidence, and that people actually have the skills, ability to gather fresh evidence.
This is _not_ the case.

My DLA form completely outlined my care and mobility needs.
The additional letters and information supplied detailed my original diagnosis, as well as a letter from a relative who has recently seen my condition over several days, and a daily diary.

The _only_ evidence used was the ESA medical I'd had recently. No notice at all was taken of what I'd put on the DLA form.

My GP sees me every several months, when I cannot avoid it - getting out is _really_ hard.
On these occasions, I do not generally discuss my day-day condition, so they don't know it. This is simply as there is nothing they can help with, and nobody they can refer me to.

Well then you did not really help yourself did you.

All it needs is a visit to the GP every 4/6 weeks as a proactive exercise to keep them fully informed on how you have been and how you are now.

An ESA 'medical' is of some value, as is the claim form itself. But if your GP can confirm on the report form sent to them by the DWP that your mobility is poor and/or non existent and that you cannot care for yourself and require constant help, then you will have no problems getting the award.

That is what my GP put on the report form for me. I was awarded MRC & HRM within a few weeks.

Mojisola · 2 February 2012 at 12:16PM

rogerblack wrote: »

Again, you're assuming that all decisions look at all the available evidence, and that people actually have the skills, ability to gather fresh evidence. This is _not_ the case.

My GP sees me every several months, when I cannot avoid it - getting out is _really_ hard.

On these occasions, I do not generally discuss my day-day condition, so they don't know it. This is simply as there is nothing they can help with, and nobody they can refer me to.

If you don't tell the GPs about the problems your condition causes day to day, they won't be able to pass the information on. You aren't giving "all the available evidence" so you will have problems getting benefits.

margaretclare · 2 February 2012 at 12:37PM

My GP sees me every several months, when I cannot avoid it - getting out is _really_ hard.
On these occasions, I do not generally discuss my day-day condition, so they don't know it. This is simply as there is nothing they can help with, and nobody they can refer me to.

If you make an effort to see your GP - you said it's difficult to do so - then why on earth don't you make the effort to 'discuss your day-to-day condition'? What else do you talk about to him/her?

The GPs are the 'gatekeepers' to a lot of other services and are a vital link. But they can only take action if they know all the facts and circumstances.

rotoguys · 2 February 2012 at 12:57PM

margaretclare wrote: »

If you make an effort to see your GP - you said it's difficult to do so - then why on earth don't you make the effort to 'discuss your day-to-day condition'? What else do you talk about to him/her?

The GPs are the 'gatekeepers' to a lot of other services and are a vital link. But they can only take action if they know all the facts and circumstances.

Absolutely!!

I learnt that but the wife doesn't seem to have cottoned on to it!

With total support from a GP, all manner of 'gates' start to open.

There is no better feeling that when you open those 'brown envelopes' from the DWP you know that you will be awarded everything you are entitled to without an argument or Tribunal.

duchessmaysail · 2 February 2012 at 1:04PM

If you are having mobility problems ,most surgeries have the facililty to have a appointment , the GP phones you at a given time to discuss your concerns etc, simply ask the receptionist to arrange this. Have you considered this option, GP are not psychic also a previous post they can refer you onward to occupational therapy for aids to help mobility, physio , pain specialist etc also ask to be reffered to rheumatolgist as joint replacement as done if osteoarthritis is severe enough .

roseroyce · 19 June 2013 at 1:59PM

I have recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees and feet, and hands. I also have chronic edema in my feet, and cannot get shoes to fit. The hospital are referring me for orthopedic shoes. Furthermore, I have a torn ligament in my foot after tripping over a pallet in work last September. I am waiting to hear whether the surgeon will choose surgery. I am also epileptic. My problem is that i work in a very busy factory, working 12 hour rotating shifts, with just three 30 minute breaks.They have been adamant on me being in work, even when i have been in agony walking. I am 59 now, and every day has been hard labour for me and, after 5 1/2 years, I dont feel like I can do this any more. I am on the sick at the moment following a flare up in my foot and I am dreading having to go back to work. My days off are spent with hot/ cold wraps on my feet/hands and neck. I need money, so can think of no way out. Please help.

rogerblack · 19 June 2013 at 2:14PM

roseroyce wrote: »

I am on the sick at the moment following a flare up in my foot and I am dreading having to go back to work. My days off are spent with hot/ cold wraps on my feet/hands and neck. I need money, so can think of no way out. Please help.

You may find you get better answers if you create your own post, not reply to others on different topics.

Specifically on epilepsy - do you have fits exceeding one per week?
If so, this alone would qualify you for employment and support allowance.
It is probably also questionable that your employer is breaking various employment laws, by not reasonably adjusting to your disability.

HB58 · 19 June 2013 at 5:29PM

I echo rogerblack's advice about starting your own thread - especially as DLA no longer exists for new applications.

Scully38 · 11 July 2014 at 9:15PM

andrea_louise wrote: »

Dear Terrysdelight,

If your friend does get DLA whilst working, and works for more than 16 hours a week, she may also be eligible for working tax credit! It's not a huge amount of money, but with wtc and dla, it will make a difference.

I thought you had to have over 30 hours to claim WTC? Have I struggled these last few years on crappy pay for nothing?

Indie_Kid · 11 July 2014 at 9:31PM

Scully38 wrote: »

I thought you had to have over 30 hours to claim WTC? Have I struggled these last few years on crappy pay for nothing?

The 30 hours only applies for childless non-disabled people. Also, you only need to be over 16 and not 25 to claim WTC if disabled.

Osteoarthritis - DLA?

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