DLA / AA Decision Maker - CLOSED - REFERENCE ONLY

somebody_else

Thanatos wrote: »

I didnt spot that in Chameleon's post

Thanks to everyone who has nominated me, but I don't think it would be very ethical for me to accept a cash prize even if I did win it. The thought is appreciated though

*gets the warm fuzzies*

You could always donate it to a good cause. Although, having said that what would be 'unethical' about it?

You didn't ask anyone to nominate you, you're giving of your free time to help us out, and I doubt very much that your employers would object. You might feel that you had to declare it, but it's patently obvious that you didn't set up this thread for personal gain.

Beside, you've got to win it yet.

Sueinbirmingham

Thanatos wrote: »

Hope thats put your mind at rest a little...

Thanks. I'll try to get my act together to send it all off.

quietheart

Thanatos wrote: »

I didnt spot that in Chameleon's post

Thanks to everyone who has nominated me, but I don't think it would be very ethical for me to accept a cash prize even if I did win it. The thought is appreciated though

*gets the warm fuzzies*

or spend the £50 on cakes and chocs for the all DMs - might put them in a good mood;)

wogglemaker

Good evening,

I've had Bronchial asthma for15+ years, but over the last 2 it has deteriorated to the extent of having been ill for the last 5 months and in hospital for 5 weeks of that. I've had many episodes of bronchial problems that necessitates time off workover the last few years.

I use a nebuliser between six and ten times a day, along with tablets and inhailers.

My employer is now going down the HR route, and to be honest I cannot blame them. Also I do not feel that I could return to any vacancies available in the company. With the amount of time I've been unable to work over the last year or so, I cannot see anyone employing me

At the moment my quality of life is zero,

Apart from a couple of short periods unemployed, I have never claimed any benefits,

Any advice greatfully recieved, Thank you in advance.w

shirlthegirlx

Hi Thanatos,
Firstly I'd like to echo what many people have said already on here, it's extremely kind of you to give your time in answering these many questions.
I too applied for DLA in April this year and enlisted the help of the CAB, they advised me to state on the forms how I felt on my worst days.
I have cervical and lumbar spondylosis, and am also being monitored for Psoriatic arthritis, Sjogren syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I have had a GP come to the home to assess me and now we are in the process of going to an appeal. My concern is now that maybe the DLA authoritis may think that my case is not genuine, I cannot walk very far at all as I am in constant pain, but I still try to work part time as I do not want to lose all my independence.
I do need help in the home to cook meals etc as I constantly drop things and I do need help getting in bath etc. I know they say you can still claim DLA even if you are working, but in your opinion, do you think that fact DOES go against you?
Many thanks
Shirley

Thanatos

wogglemaker wrote: »

Good evening,

I've had Bronchial asthma for15+ years, but over the last 2 it has deteriorated to the extent of having been ill for the last 5 months and in hospital for 5 weeks of that. I've had many episodes of bronchial problems that necessitates time off workover the last few years.

I use a nebuliser between six and ten times a day, along with tablets and inhailers.

My employer is now going down the HR route, and to be honest I cannot blame them. Also I do not feel that I could return to any vacancies available in the company. With the amount of time I've been unable to work over the last year or so, I cannot see anyone employing me

At the moment my quality of life is zero,

Apart from a couple of short periods unemployed, I have never claimed any benefits,

Any advice greatfully recieved, Thank you in advance.w

I only know about DLA and AA, but they are not dependent on earnings, so you should definitely apply for those from the problems you describe. You can get that based exclusively on your care needs, wether you earn £100 or £10,000 a month.

If you take a loost at Post number 1 in this thread there is a list of what level of carer qualifies you for what level of DLA or AA benefit.

In addition to this, I suggest you contact your local JobCentre plus office who can advise you what else you may be entitlled to, as well as the Benefit Enquiry line 0800 882200 (i think). A trip to welfare rights or the CAB wouldnt hurt, but this may be one of the areas others on this thread may be able to help you more than me...

Gforce_2

shawbarbara wrote: »

hi can anyone answer my question a lady was paid a personal injury claim payout following a really nasty rtc out of her award she had to pay back DLA {paid to her during her years whilst awaiting settlement} what i would like to check is this normal procedure and if she was due to pay it back out of her settlement - should she not have received a statement/evidence that DLA that they got the money i would be greatful if anyone could help me get her an answer thankyou

As far as I know this is normal procedure.
My son had to repay his DLA out of his medical negligence claim, however he was still able to carry on claiming DLA even though he'd received a settlement.

Thanatos

shirlthegirlx wrote: »

Hi Thanatos,
Firstly I'd like to echo what many people have said already on here, it's extremely kind of you to give your time in answering these many questions.
I too applied for DLA in April this year and enlisted the help of the CAB, they advised me to state on the forms how I felt on my worst days.
I have cervical and lumbar spondylosis, and am also being monitored for Psoriatic arthritis, Sjogren syndrome and Fibromyalgia. I have had a GP come to the home to assess me and now we are in the process of going to an appeal. My concern is now that maybe the DLA authoritis may think that my case is not genuine, I cannot walk very far at all as I am in constant pain, but I still try to work part time as I do not want to lose all my independence.
I do need help in the home to cook meals etc as I constantly drop things and I do need help getting in bath etc. I know they say you can still claim DLA even if you are working, but in your opinion, do you think that fact DOES go against you?
Many thanks
Shirley

I do wish the CAB would stop telling people to put their worst days !!- (read first post in this thread for explaination)

Regarding working - I have touched on this before - its a common mis-conception that working does not affect this benefit. Whilst the principle is correct, a more accurate description would be that earnings do not affect DLA and AA.

Now, whilst working does not have a direct affect, it does raise questions for a DM dependant on what the work is, how many hours, and various other things, like how does the customer get there etc...

So, for example - a customer claims needs equating to higher rate care, meaning frequent attention throughout the day and repeated attention at night... the needs claimed in the day are toiletting, up and down stairs, in out of chairs, medication, and washing/bathing. The customer in question works 9-5 in an office block on the 2nd floor.

The DM will want to know what help is needed at work with the toiletting, in/out of chairs and up/down stairs... so, the customer may have access to a lift at work, so the help with stairs is accepted as they dont have a lift at home... at work they have access to an adapted disablled toilet which they dont have at home, so no problem and so on.... all seems consistent with the claim.

But if the customer has no lift and walks up the stairs at work, have no disabled facility toilet, then why can they manage these things at work, but not at home... this is when questions about the validity of the claimed needs arrise andnormally result in further medical evidence being sought.

So bottom line is, if you have assistance at work, or adaptions to help you, there should be no problem, but if you claim you need help at home but not at work, you may find the DM goes for more evidence. The DM may ask for your permission to approach your boss. It would have the same result by refusing this permission. - It wont mean your claim is disallowed, but it will mean we will probably go out of further medical evidence to confirm your needs.

Hope that helps!

Thanatos

Gforce wrote: »

As far as I know this is normal procedure.
My son had to repay his DLA out of his medical negligence claim, however he was still able to carry on claiming DLA even though he'd received a settlement.

Yeah, it does seem to be the case - I found some regualtions that supported it about a bazillion posts back on this thread with a link to them.

Its something I wasnt aware of as a DM, but then we dont really get involved in court proceedings. still seems odd to me if I am honest

Gforce_2

Thanatos wrote: »

Yeah, it does seem to be the case - I found some regualtions that supported it about a bazillion posts back on this thread with a link to them.

Its something I wasnt aware of as a DM, but then we dont really get involved in court proceedings. still seems odd to me if I am honest

I know, I'm a bit late with this reply, saw the post & thought 'oh I know the answer to this' and didn't realise that this thread had another 11pages where somebody else was bound to have answered already:rotfl:

I can sort of see the reasoning behind it but it's hard to see it go. Though of course having to claim DLA is the first place is worse.