DLA / AA Decision Maker - CLOSED - REFERENCE ONLY

Thanatos

CatherineS wrote: »

Hello Thanatos. Like you I am new to this forum. I think it is great that you have taken the time to answer all these questions and I hope you might be able to give me some advice too as I am currently in the process of filling in my first application for DLA which needs to be returned by 13/11/08.

I have had relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis for nearly 10 years. As I don't use a wheelchair I had never considered myself to be "disabled" and as such, it never occurred to me that I may be eligible to claim DLA.

When I am in remission, I can go for weeks when I am able to lead an almost "normal" life and look perfectly fine (although I still do suffer from severe fatigue and other minor ailments such as the inability to write properly).

Then, bam, out of the blue, I can have a relapse which makes me virtually housebound and judging by what I have read so far on this website, at this point I should definitely qualify for the higher rate DLA for both mobility and care. This can go on for anything from a couple of weeks to a few months, until it all settles down again until the next time.

It was only a few weeks ago that an MS nurse suggested that I should apply. I started filling in the form, and because I am quite well at the moment, I realise that there is no way I would qualify based on what I can do at the moment. But I am worried about filling in the forms and putting down the worst-case scenario, because if someone came to check up on me, they would see, from outward appearances, a very normal looking person. I am worried that I would get accused of lying.

Also, I've always been a very positive "glass half-full" kind of girl. I refuse to visualise myself in a wheelchair and I am always cheerful and upbeat. I'm now wondering if this is now going to work against me, because when the DWP contact my GP, he's probably not going to back up my claim to the extent I will obviously need him to do. I don't scuttle off down to the GP every time I have a relapse because I prefer to heal myself by positive thoughts and alternative therapies such as reflexology etc and only resort to steroids in the worst case scenario.

Do you (or anyone else on this forum) have experience/suggestions of RR-MS?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

lol - I dont know why people assume I am new to this forum - I have been about for a year and a half! (Ok, Ok I never really posted much before this.... )

Ok, on to the serious stuff.... Relapsiong and remitting MS is really hard to make an accurate decision on. I would suggest using the boxes on the forum and the spaces next to the boxes to report both sides of the coin. Then, in the free text space at the bottom, explain how the needs varies and how often. Make a point in the form that your GP does not deal with your MS so will not be able to confirm frequency and suggest they write to your Consultant. Even better, get a letter from your consultant - although you are now short on time - it might be better to send the form in and send a letter from the consultant after...

Either way, explain as much as possible the variations. We are familiar with the condition, so they will be aware of the fact it is subject to short to mid term fluctuations. They just need to know how often and how long. (hard I know!)

Thanatos

asandwhen wrote: »

Thanatos,

Do you think it is worth me applying for DLA

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=15605001#post15605001

asandwhen wrote: »

I have been told I may be entitled to DLA as I am deaf (in 1 ear) I have been deaf for over 25yrs since I was a young child (Had mumps which caused irreversable nerve end damage).

I work full time and am married with a child. I do have some problems with everyday things but I try not to dwell on them and try to find ways to deal with them. I have a special door bell and telephone and have a cross hearing aid (I dont like using it as it has terrible feedback). I have recently been seeing a consutant ear, nose and throat specialist to try and get a bone anchored hearing aid which is supposed to be much better for single sided deafness but have recently been told that my NHS trust wont fund it.

I am wondering if anyone thinks that I might be entitled to DLA as this may help me fund the BAHA (bone anchred hearing aid) myself.

Hi, Sorry to say, but based on what you have explained it is unlikely that you will be entitlled. If hearing loss in one ear is the only disability you have, I can not see how it would require help with a main meal, help for a significant portion of the day, or require supervision when outdoors. These are the minimum requirements for any level of DLA.

Obviously I am assuming a hell of a lot here, and if I am wrong, apologies!

And the one thing I always say is try claim anyway, as the advise I can give here is very much limited as there is so little information available to me.

Good luck!

Thanatos

somebody_else wrote: »

Welcome back Thanatos. I hope you had a good holiday. [It wasn't very long - I thought all public sector workers got 12 weeks holiday as a minimum and spent the rest of their time off of courses. ]

You didn't waste any time diving back into the deep end. You're probably in need of a drink by now.

:beer:

:rotfl:

It's not so bad - we shut down for Christmas next Tuesday - See you all February!







(Yes, thats a joke before anyone moans! )

~Chameleon~

Welcome back and hope you had a good holiday!

Just a wee question for you based on a comment you made above - when filling in the forms I often find it very difficult to contain all the information I need to write within the boxes available specific to the question and have indeed written in unused boxes (crossing out the question applicable to that box) as well as in the margins at the sides of the page. Is this acceptable practice?

It can look awful messy by the time I've finished although I do try to make it clear which answers correspond to which questions but sometimes I worry the DM will take one look at the form and just bin it

Also, sometimes I find it easier to use bullet points to try and condense my answers so again is it ok to do this?

Thanks very much! :beer:

somebody_else

Thanatos wrote: »

:rotfl:

It's not so bad - we shut down for Christmas next Tuesday - See you all February!
(Yes, thats a joke before anyone moans! )

Phew! For several 'orrible moments I thought I'd offended you and you hadn't realised I was joking.

altocumulus

Thanatos Sorry, you been away on holiday !? - thought you devoted types took your work home with you ....


Hope the sun wasn't too hot for you..


The on-line form is a bit of a pest - I've had 3 goes already to fill it in..
Part way through the program crashes.
I can see what I've filled in using adobe reader, but the edit system doesn't work....And of course if there is an un-submitted form in the menu you can't start anew before deleting the existing one....
At least the support is there to reset - but I didn't anticipate it taking 4-5 working days to sort out...

and306

hello,i was just wondering if you have many people apply for dla because of chronic kidney disease,i have had this for a few years i am not quite at dialysis stage,my gp seems to think i will be offered a transplant before i need dialysis.I am also waiting to see a consultant about rheumatoid arthritis,this is affecting me quite badly i can hardly do day to day chores,obvisouly some days are better than others.I am 31yrs old and i have 2 children who are both in receipt of dla so its hard work just trying to do things for them,anyway enough waffling,any advice would be appreciated many thanks.

Thanatos

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Welcome back and hope you had a good holiday!

Just a wee question for you based on a comment you made above - when filling in the forms I often find it very difficult to contain all the information I need to write within the boxes available specific to the question and have indeed written in unused boxes (crossing out the question applicable to that box) as well as in the margins at the sides of the page. Is this acceptable practice?

It can look awful messy by the time I've finished although I do try to make it clear which answers correspond to which questions but sometimes I worry the DM will take one look at the form and just bin it

Also, sometimes I find it easier to use bullet points to try and condense my answers so again is it ok to do this?

Thanks very much! :beer:

yeah, there can be a bit of a :eek: reaction when we see forms like that, but we do still read them!

Best idea is to write down extra information on a piece of paper and attatch it to the relevent page in the form Bullet points are fine btw

Thanatos

altocumulus wrote: »

Thanatos Sorry, you been away on holiday !? - thought you devoted types took your work home with you ....


Hope the sun wasn't too hot for you..


The on-line form is a bit of a pest - I've had 3 goes already to fill it in..
Part way through the program crashes.
I can see what I've filled in using adobe reader, but the edit system doesn't work....And of course if there is an un-submitted form in the menu you can't start anew before deleting the existing one....
At least the support is there to reset - but I didn't anticipate it taking 4-5 working days to sort out...

Never tried it to be honest, although I must admit I prefer the paper based ones - the questions in the online versions are in a different order and generally dont have as much detail.

That said, I know all forms (both electronic and paper based) are being worked on to make them easier to use

Thanatos

and306 wrote: »

hello,i was just wondering if you have many people apply for dla because of chronic kidney disease,i have had this for a few years i am not quite at dialysis stage,my gp seems to think i will be offered a transplant before i need dialysis.I am also waiting to see a consultant about rheumatoid arthritis,this is affecting me quite badly i can hardly do day to day chores,obvisouly some days are better than others.I am 31yrs old and i have 2 children who are both in receipt of dla so its hard work just trying to do things for them,anyway enough waffling,any advice would be appreciated many thanks.

Hi,
Yeah we do get a number of people with kidney disease - the needs of people vary greatly, depending on the progression of the disease, but I would certainly recomend applying based on what you mention above.

Good luck with the claim!