dla-what do you use it for?

rev229

We use our daughters to over pay the mortgage. The reason being that we are going to be responsible for her for the rest of her life. We will pay the mortgage by the time she is 16 and then the money will be hers. It has also enabled me to give up work and look after her and her needs.

peediedj

bigturnip wrote: »

I have to admit I was curious after reading your post as well, because you said in your original post that you got a grant from age concern.

Where does the connection to age concern come in? I'm just curious as its always useful to know what help is out there even if not from the most obvious source.

think able care and age concern are one up here,anyway my wife organised it all but age concern are worth a look if anyone ever needs anything like that done

PinkJenn

Age concern fitted a banister and some grab rails for me....I'm 43. It did strike me as amusing. Its just who the council use I suppose. I couldn't ask for two nicer workmen. They hoovered the whole stairs for me not just the little bit of mess they made because they could see that I couldn't do it for myself.

Danni

I get higher care, lower mobility (and income support). My DLA pays for my internet access (a necessity for me), paying extra for pre-prepared food, takeaways when I can't cook, bus fares for someone to come with me to new places, extra electricity costs because of my forgetfulness (leaving the cooker on overnight is expensive...), taxis when I'm having a really bad day and can't manage public transport (£30 one way to college). I'm lucky my friend lives with me, as she's able to do a lot of the stuff I can't manage and help me with motivation to get out of bed, go to college and things. My problems (Asperger's Syndrome, anxiety and depression) aren't obvious from the outside and it's really hard to explain to people why you're afraid of little things like taking the rubbish out.

mouseymousey99

I've been wondering about getting some extra help. I've also been advised to apply for high rate care (currently receive the lower rate). I think I've identified the areas I need help with. What happens now? Do I have to advertise for someone? Sorry if this is a really daft question, but I just don't know - thanks

yorkiegal

i get high rate care and low mobility for mental health problems. I use it to pay for train fares to visit my family every few weeks and the occasional haircut or clothes. Before I had dla I was existing on IB and in lots of debt. DLA turns an existence into a life because it lets me do what other people get to do. I can afford to have coffee with a friend in town now or buy from regular supermarkets rather than netto all the time.

PolishBigSpender

Danni wrote: »

IMy DLA pays for my internet access (a necessity for me),

My problems (Asperger's Syndrome, anxiety and depression) aren't obvious from the outside and it's really hard to explain to people why you're afraid of little things like taking the rubbish out.

Can you please outline why internet access is a necessity for those with depression, Asperger's and anxeity?

savemoney

Only guessing but maybe they cant get out much and order online shopping plus it may help if they feel isolated, unable to communicate effectively face to face but can do so anonymously on the net

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Can you please outline why internet access is a necessity for those with depression, Asperger's and anxeity?

Danni

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Can you please outline why internet access is a necessity for those with depression, Asperger's and anxeity?

It's mostly likely not for most people, but for me it gives me a way of communicating with other people that doesn't make me worse when I'm already bad. Socialising in person is very draining for me when I'm not too bad, and there are times when the depression and anxiety get so bad that I can't leave my flat, so I don't see anyone except my flatmate for a long time.

The Asperger's makes it very difficult for me to communicate effectively in person, as I can't read non-verbal language very well (think facial expressions and body language) and I take things literally and say things which are then taken the wrong way so I offend people without realising I've done so or how (if they tell me that I have). Nearly all the friends I have now I've made online (including my flatmate) as things like tone of voice and body language don't exist. I guess it's not exactly a necessity in the way that food or shelter is, but it helps my mental health to communicate with other people, especially online.

I also have a phobia of using the telephone (though I'm working on overcoming it) so often the only way I can get in touch with people is by email or instant messenger. It is far easier for me to communicate in writing than by voice, and even at college I often email my lecturers if I have a problem.

PolishBigSpender

Thank you for a very informative answer - it makes a refreshing change from many people who get incredibly defensive over any sort of questioning as to why they need a certain thing. Certainly, I feel that something like internet access should be provided free to people like yourself

It's also incredibly nice to see someone actively trying to get over their problems rather than use them as a crutch - so, I wish you all the best in the future