Amazing thread.

Legacy_user

I have just discovered this new thread which I can't wait to read from beginning to end, BUT, I am just about to hide my laptop away as we are going on holiday tomorrow. My wife is registered disabled and receives DLA at the higher rate, following a shingles virus which affected her labryinth and she is now total without balance. She was retired from her position as warden of a council sheltered housing complex and we/she qualified for various adaptations to our house, so clearly I am interested from the reduction in council tax point of view.

Now I am goint to have to wait till our return before I can learn from all your posts.

sharon59

we will look forward to meeting you after your holiday-have a lovely time!welcome to the thread sharonx

kpwll

Hope you both have a great holiday, see you when you get back. x

Horace

Hi and welcome - hope you both have a great holiday, see you soon:D

System

Back from holiday and refreshed, NOT! A week with our son and grandchildren is nice but tiring, then a few days with our daughter on a RAF base, "up at dawn, stand by your beds, be ready to be chauffeured about in ten mins!" is equally nice but we're glad to be back, even though a letter from Staywarm informs me we have to pay £25 more a month. Now I'm going to read the thread, make notes and get back to you, hopefully wiser. Oh, and thanks for your welcome.

kpwll

Welcome back, now you can start the 2nd phase of your holiday...................the recovery!!!!!!
Happy reading, call in at the cafe, such lovely people there, a warm welcome and wonderful service. x

System

THANATOS, wow, you are the first bonus, someone that can speak with the voice of authority. In Feb 2003, after contracting the shingles virus on her labyrinth, my wife lost her balance and was declared in need of DLA at the higher rate. This was because she cannot walk more than half a dozen steps without falling over. For a year she leaned on me when out walking, then I had a heart attack, we then provided a three wheeled walking aid. Due to her constant loss of balance, she has never stepped outside of this house alone. Whilst the rollator gives her a degree of independence such as in clothing shops, I need to be on hand at all times in case the balance worsens. Within the house, furniture has to be placed where it can be used as grippers. I often say “what would happen if I wasn’t here?”, if I should leave the house alone, I keep in touch by mobile phone and even have a bell fitted in the shed with a bellpush she can carry about or fall to summon me. Anything to suggest here please?. My wife is 56 and I am 68 with cardiac issues, a problem kidney (pytlonephritis) and a urinary diversion (urostomy). I have my state and small private pension, she has the DLA and incapacity benefit. I don’t drive so we rely on public transport for distance travel.

ALEXCROSS, you may not know it but there is a website/forum where you might pick up helpful information, it is:- http://forum.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/

SUEINBIRMINGHAM you too might find the above useful.

SOME BODY ELSE, this we found to be useful :- Last time I checked, the criteria for the Blue Badge and the Higher Rate Mobility Component were the same (although I would suggest that they are interpreted differently) which was: "unable to walk 100 yrds/mtrs unsupported and/or without severe discomfort or pain"., my wife often says she feels guilty because she “looks alright”. As I’ve said before, she couldn’t walk 10 yards!

NEXT, as several people have highlighted this, I have just phoned our local council to tell them I am aware that there is a reduction in council tax for anyone disabled, I quoted chapter & verse and they will be sending a form. She implied it is payable from date of application, I wonder?, is she correct?.

WHOOPS!, I’ve just remembered something, whilst in Dorset recently, I read that anyone disabled and in need of equipment/appliance, will soon be issued with a voucher to choose whichever suits them best and they will be able to choose these from participating retailers, rather than being issued from Medical Loans. You will be able to pay extra for a better version also.

ONETOMANY,you say:- hi ive just had a lovely day out with hubby and young son who is registered disalbled, but im getting really cross with companys asking to see my carers card. does anybody know where i can get one in northamptonshire thanks …..I say that currently, Nottinginghamshire County Council are trialing a credit card sized disability card which will cover all those who “look” ablebodied” etc and that NCC aim to recommend ALL councils do this. If I can find more on this, I will get back to you. Meanwhile you could google Nottinghamshire CC disability card.

PHEW!, what a read. So many people with issues. The good news is that no longer must they/we feel alone. Equally so many people eager to give of their time to respond with offers of little known information. I make no apology for my lengthy post, I felt it was easier to open a word document and add bits as I made my way through.

Ames

Hello!

I've just got a quick suggestion, have you thought about having rails put around the house for your wife to hold on to if she's having trouble getting around? I've got them in the hallway and on a bad day (I've got ME) they're great. They're like a handrail you get on stairs but they're level at the right height.

System

we have a double stair rail and within the house everything is "clutchable", out side I have posts/ropes all round to enable her to navigate round. If she chooses to expand her walk, she uses her rollator. When she does a spot of gardening, it is a "hands & knees" job. Thanks anyway for your concern.

Thanatos

islandman wrote: »

THANATOS, wow, you are the first bonus, someone that can speak with the voice of authority. In Feb 2003, after contracting the shingles virus on her labyrinth, my wife lost her balance and was declared in need of DLA at the higher rate. This was because she cannot walk more than half a dozen steps without falling over. For a year she leaned on me when out walking, then I had a heart attack, we then provided a three wheeled walking aid. Due to her constant loss of balance, she has never stepped outside of this house alone. Whilst the rollator gives her a degree of independence such as in clothing shops, I need to be on hand at all times in case the balance worsens. Within the house, furniture has to be placed where it can be used as grippers. I often say “what would happen if I wasn’t here?”, if I should leave the house alone, I keep in touch by mobile phone and even have a bell fitted in the shed with a bellpush she can carry about or fall to summon me. Anything to suggest here please?. My wife is 56 and I am 68 with cardiac issues, a problem kidney (pytlonephritis) and a urinary diversion (urostomy). I have my state and small private pension, she has the DLA and incapacity benefit. I don’t drive so we rely on public transport for distance travel.

Hi

If she is only on mobility component of DLA I would recommend asking for the claim to be looked at again. With the amount of info given, I cant really "promise" what you would get, but it sounds like she might be struggling with getting in/out of chair/bed too, dressing, getting to/from the loo etc. All of these sort of things would help her qualify for a higher rate.