Mental Health

Frootloopy

Hi

I just need some advice please, due to conflicting advice from different people.
I have mental health issues - debilitating depression, and have been hospitalised four times, in the past four years, for varying amounts of time (the lowest being six weeks)
I have children.
My husband is in a reasonably paid job, and we do get CTC too.
Some people have advised me to claim DLA, or something like that. I don't know. For a start, we do ok on the money we are on. I have no mobility issues, though sometimes it is difficult to go out alone. I prefer to go out with my husband - less likely to end up panic stricken :rolleyes: .
My husband needs the car for work, and this is how we have always managed, as I don't drive.
I am a little afraid, to be honest, that claiming something like this, would mean to me, that I have given up fighting it....you know, labelling it as a disability, rather than something I can fight and hope to beat, so there's that issue.
I'm currently on leave from the hospital now.
I don't know. It seems a lot of upheaval, and would it be any help to us? What could I expect from claiming DLA? What sort of criteria do you have to meet? Do you stop claiming once things improve?

nanokitten

try this for starters
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

jetcat

people certainly do claim dla for mental health problems, i am one of them, though i do understand your worries over being labelled as disabled!

what about claiming and if you do receive an award, using that money to pay for extra things that may improve your health - eg. art courses, massages etc? I know a couple of people who do that, and view their three year award as funding for three years of alternative therapy, with the view that after that three years, they will feel quite a bit better and may not feel quite as 'disabled.'

It is a fairly stressful process claiming it though, so make sure you take care of yourself if you do decide to go ahead.

hope that helps

forgot to say - you say you dont have mobility issues, yet you dont like to go out alone. That may qualify you for low rate mobility. As the previous poster says, have a look on the direct.gov site, and thanatos's thread at the top of this forum, as he outlines the qualifying criteria in an easy to read and understand way!

bigturnip

I just wanted to add, as I notice you said you spend quite a while in hospital, that once you have been in hospital for 4 weeks you will lose your DLA and it will be reinstated once you are discharged.

nanokitten

Frootloopy, Your local mind should have a benefits advisor who will be an expert in applying for DLA for people with mental health issues. The form is awful to fill in so I strongly suggest you get help from either mind, dial or the cab to do so.
If you have a cpn, social worker etc get them to write a letter of support as this can speed things up.

Peapod2

My daughter has only left the house 4 times in 5 yrs due to severe mental health problems, she gets DLA and Incap.

Frootloopy

Thank you.

I will contact Mind, and see what help they can offer regarding all of this

Savvy_Sue

Just to warn you that the DLA forms are depressing in themselves, because to fill them in 'right' you have to focus on what you can't do, and most of us prefer to think about what we CAN do. It is definitely worth getting help.

cloud9

i have always been advised fill the form in on how it is for you on your worst days not the best

scooby1001

You should fill it in on a AVERAGE day. If you look at the thantos thread you would get a better idea.

I get it for mental health problems and have had 3 medicals in the last 6 years for it(DLA) and every little bit of extra money helps.