Dla?

stargazer59

Dont know if anyone can help but here goes!!

Went to my GP 3 weeks ago with very painful hip, it had started to stiffen up and then gradually got so bad i could hardly walk on it. She sent me for xrays. I assumed it would just be Osteo Arthritis, in fact the person who did the x rays was chatting to me about her OA while i was there.

Went to GP yesterday for the results, and it seems i have FAI for which i am being referred to a specialist for an operation to remove the bony overgrowth.

As i am having major mobility problems and in a lot of pain, should i apply for DLA? I am on IS and get CTC and HB.

devon_guy

Right firstly DLA is not affected by any other benefits so whether you work or are on benefits it doesn't matter.

Secondly you have to have needed help with care/mobility for at least 3 months before applying.

Thirdly DLA is awarded on an individuals care and mobility needs NOT on the specific diagnosis. So you could have 2 people apply with arthritis, one might get an award and the other wouldn't.

Hope this helps.

ukmaggie45

You have to be ill/incapacitated for 6 months to claim DLA. You can find some information about it here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011925

(I'm sorry, the link doesn't work - go to direct gov uk and search for disabled people financial support disability living allowance, hopefully you will find the page from there)

There's also a link to how to claim and the online form at the above link too.

I think you also need to need help for a minimum of 6 months - eg if you broke your leg and were on crutches till it healed you would be very unlikely to get DLA unless there were additional problems.

Depending on what condition you are suffering from, it can be difficult to get. I don't know how they regard osteoarthritis, and I don't know what FIA is.

The form is very long and depressing to fill in. It's all about what you can't do rather than what you can. :eek: It's important to get advice on filling in the form - it's very repettetive (sorry, can't work out that spelling!), and you need to concentrate on how you are on your worst days if you condition fluctuates at all.

You can apply online, or you can print the form off and fill it in and post it. If you have been incapacitated for around 6 months already it's worth ringing them up and asking for a form, as the date of award (if you get it) will be back dated to the date you phoned. Assuming you meet the 6 month rule.

Please don't rely on anything I tell you - this is just something try to to help start you off. I am not a benefits expert, just someone who gets DLA and had to fight long and hard to get it. If you believe you are entitled, but are refused, please go to Tribunal (or whatever it's called now - I am completely fazed by how the names of benefits and stuff keep changing!) as lots of people who are initially turned down get it at Tribunal.

Best of luck!

gemmalouanna

For DLA: need to have had problem for 3 months and then expected to have the problem for a further 6 months...so as you are having the operation would this sort it?

sandraroffey

when i claimed my DLA. it took 18 months to finally get it. its a pig of a form and you have to fill it in with the answers as you would be on your absolutely worse day. also from when i claimed mine, and sadly to my cost which is why it took so long, dont even think about filling the form in yourself. go to the the citizens advice and get them to help you with it. they know all the right wording and phrases to use and are worth their weight in gold.

however, if you are going to have an op to sort it, its doubtful you will get it.

stargazer59

I have had the arthritis for well over 6 months it has rapidly deteriorated to the point where i cant walk without a lot of pain.

The operation will remove the excess bone which should ease the pain, but i will have to be on crutches for up to 12 weeks afterwards and the arthritis will still be there. I may have to wait up to 3 months for the op.

krisskross

Please do not complete the form suggesting that your absolutely worst day is how you always are. You are supposed to give a balanced, truthful view of how your illness affects your life on a day to day basis.

For instance I get horrendous migraines when i can only lie in a dark room vomiting at regular intervals. I am so dizzy I need help to get to the bathroom and help talking painkillers etc. I would certainly get awarded DLA if this was several times a week but not for the once every couple of months that it actually is.

healy

krisskross wrote: »

Please do not complete the form suggesting that your absolutely worst day is how you always are. You are supposed to give a balanced, truthful view of how your illness affects your life on a day to day basis.

For instance I get horrendous migraines when i can only lie in a dark room vomiting at regular intervals. I am so dizzy I need help to get to the bathroom and help talking painkillers etc. I would certainly get awarded DLA if this was several times a week but not for the once every couple of months that it actually is.

Thank you for this post and the good example that you gave.
Krisskross is correct, you should NOT just describe your worst day, but good and bad days or typical days. This incorrect advice about worst days is being given too often and could lead people into serious trouble.