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Turned Down for MRC DLA But Fit Criteria
Titch89
Posts: 712 Forumite
I currently receive low care & low mobility DLA. I made a thread (which since has been deleted) about some stuff relating to my disability. Someone said that I would probably qualify for mid rate care.
I found a guide online for visually impaired people. I then sent the following letter to DWP to explain what changes have happened:
I got a letter this morning and according to them, the only change is the help with getting dressed, but it isn't. Since I was awarded DLA, (April 2008) my illness has changed an awful lot. They appear to only acknowledge that my only problems are safety when out, getting dressed and cooking.
I am aware that I won't get HRM because I'm not a deafblind and can walk with virtually no problems.
I found a guide online for visually impaired people. I then sent the following letter to DWP to explain what changes have happened:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was awarded Disability Living Allowance on April 14th 2008. (both Low Rate) Since then, there has been quite a few changes. They are as follows:
I have problems avoiding obstacles when out. This includes when crossing road and walking on the pavement. This means I bump into pedestrians, lamp-posts and over hanging trees.
I trip over things. This includes kerbs, steps and uneven paving stones.
I find it hard to cross roads safely. This includes being able to read the traffic lights to know when they’re red or green, knowing when there’s no traffic coming and when the road is clear.
Reading maps/following directions. I can’t read maps (due to poor sight) and can’t follow directions. Because of this, I often wander off or end up at the wrong place. When on buses, I can’t always tell when to get off the bus.
I have various problems with cooking. I don’t always know when food is cooked, I can’t follow instructions carefully and I can’t open tins without some form of assistance. I don’t always know when food is fresh or cooked and I can’t always tell where bones are in fish or chicken.
I have problems with dressing. I can’t always put my socks on properly or tell the colours apart, meaning that I sometimes end up with 2 different coloured socks. I can’t always tell whether socks are inside out. I struggled to do my laces up tightly. It’s not always possible for me to wear trainers/shoes that have Velcro on them.
I have problems with reading. I can only read in font size 18. I can’t always read signs or instructions. I find reading (in small & large print) very tiring after a while and sometimes have to get someone to read stuff to me. This help can only be done by another person. Whilst I wear my glasses all the time and use a magnifying glass, they don’t always make much difference. Bus timetables can be difficult to read when out, even with magnifying glasses and wearing a pair of glasses.
I have poor hand-eye co-ordination. Because of this, I sometimes drop my food. I also have problems pouring - I sometimes try to pour liquid (milk, water, juice, etc) into a cup, but end up pouring it either over my hand or on to a work top.
I need someone to keep an eye on me because I fall over a lot, due to poor balance. (caused by head tilt)
I got a letter this morning and according to them, the only change is the help with getting dressed, but it isn't. Since I was awarded DLA, (April 2008) my illness has changed an awful lot. They appear to only acknowledge that my only problems are safety when out, getting dressed and cooking.
I am aware that I won't get HRM because I'm not a deafblind and can walk with virtually no problems.
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Comments
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.... I would alter your letter to relate each item to how support would benefit you. I have problems with dressing... I need support for 1 hour in the morning, 1 hour in the evening, to help me wash, dress etc. Without this I have regular injuries, wear unsuitable clothes.
DLA is all about how its written and they key is not the disability... blind, deaf blind or so on... its how whatever it is affects you.
CAB / filling it in with an understanding GP or Dr related to your disability - consultant or registrar etc. Might also be worth contacting a charity for the blind, they often know how to fill out forms related to specific disabilities.
Good luckDebts incurred through illness and homelessness, starting a degree in September, going bankrupt in November and having a well deserved fresh start in January 2009! Bring on the new year! Interested in thrifty living, and if its green all the better for it! xxx0 -
They've also sent this letter to CAB so I'll talk to them on Monday.0
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Thi organisation can give help and support for Welfare rights for those who are visually impaired (I'm sorry I'm generalising but you haven't said what your disability is.)
http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/help-advice/welfare-rights/you-can-contact-the-following-action-for-blind-people-teams-for-help-with-welfare-rights,189,SA.htmlTomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it!0 -
The information that you have written in your letter would not qualify you for middle rate care, as they do not require care for a substantial time of the day.Gone ... or have I?0
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Thi organisation can give help and support for Welfare rights for those who are visually impaired (I'm sorry I'm generalising but you haven't said what your disability is.)
http://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/help-advice/welfare-rights/you-can-contact-the-following-action-for-blind-people-teams-for-help-with-welfare-rights,189,SA.html
They have a PDF which explains what help I need to get what DLA. I looked at MRC and managed to meet all of them.
On my letter I got from them, they (for some reason) didn't say that I need help with reading, yet I do. (because I get tired after reading for a certain amount of time, which will vary depending on text size and what colour the text is)0 -
They have a PDF which explains what help I need to get what DLA. I looked at MRC and managed to meet all of them.
On my letter I got from them, they (for some reason) didn't say that I need help with reading, yet I do. (because I get tired after reading for a certain amount of time, which will vary depending on text size and what colour the text is)
You put that you sometimes need help with reading, this is lower rate at best. Also it is not something that can only be done by another person, there are plenty of adaptations that can be made to enable you to listen to text if need be.
You need to be realistic about your needs. Your letter does not describe anything that requires care for the majority of the time.Gone ... or have I?0 -
You put that you sometimes need help with reading, this is lower rate at best. Also it is not something that can only be done by another person, there are plenty of adaptations that can be made to enable you to listen to text if need be.
It's not possible to get certain pieces of text on tape.0 -
I have problems avoiding obstacles when out. This includes when crossing road and walking on the pavement. This means I bump into pedestrians, lamp-posts and over hanging trees.
- EVERYONE DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME
I trip over things. This includes kerbs, steps and uneven paving stones.
- EVERYONE DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME
Reading maps/following directions. I can’t read maps (due to poor sight) and can’t follow directions. Because of this, I often wander off or end up at the wrong place. When on buses, I can’t always tell when to get off the bus.
- EVERYONE DOES THIS FROM TIME TO TIME, MEN USUALLY BLAME WOMEN LOL
I have various problems with cooking. I don’t always know when food is cooked, I can’t follow instructions carefully
- LOTS OF PEOOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM, THEYRE TERRIBLE COOKS LOL
and I can’t open tins without some form of assistance.
- NEITHER CAN I IF ITS TOO TIGHT
I don’t always know when food is fresh or cooked and I can’t always tell where bones are in fish or chicken.
Bus timetables can be difficult to read when out, even with magnifying glasses and wearing a pair of glasses.
- LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING TIME TABLES
Im not trying to belittle your problems but i think many people can relate to the things you listed. maybe you could go into more detail?0 -
You say 'everyone dose this from time to time' - I do most of those things I listed every day. There's a big difference.NEITHER CAN I IF ITS TOO TIGHT
Cans being too tight annot being able to use an electric can opener are both totally different things.0 -
You say 'everyone dose this from time to time' - I do most of those things I listed every day. There's a big difference.
Cans being too tight annot being able to use an electric can opener are both totally different things.
thats why i said you need to go into more detail. just saying 'sometimes' implies that it only bothers you every so often, not every day0
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