Scared to apply for DLA

sheeps68

Do you have a helpful hospital doctor or specialist nurse as they're reports are often better than a GP. Either way go for it but get some help to do those forms - welfare rights worker, CAB etc

Jazzy_B

I've had incapacity benefit for several years now. My case is reviewed every 3 years at the moment, and I get sent a form to fill in. I think the maximum review period is 3 years. Depending on your answers, benefit continues, or further investigations are made, which will probably include a medical. I don't know if there's a facility to have a medical at home. The last three times, I've filled in the form and benefit has continued without a medical. I think it all depends on your medical condition.
I've put off claiming DLA for several years, and I know several people with my medical condition who've received it. I recently claimed it. The form was difficult, but I got a lot of help from Welfare Rights at the social work dept. ( I live in Scotland, so it's probably different in England)
They emphasised the need to provide any supporting medical evidence, and I went to my GP and consultant before I sent in my form, to let them know I was claiming, and the day to day problems I was having. Welfare Rights also told me that most claims are refused initially.
I can understand your reluctance to claim, but I think you should try. I know how difficult I found it.
I reckon your chances of success would be much higher if you could see your doctor and explain your problems. I know this must be really difficult for you, but there are lots of people out there who can help you.
Good luck.

Lady_K

I'm going to start making steps to try and apply, its all a bit daunting but I checked what my ib score would be and it would be over 15 by quite a bit so I am hoping I wouldnt lose ib by claiming dla if they refuse it me.

I've been on ib for 7 years now with no medical review, I might have had another form to fill in though I vaguely rember as I was really worried then. I have got worse not better but I know ib has changed also.

Would I lose ib if I got dla? Just trying to work out which is better for me to be on if I will just have one of them. I am also on income support.

I hate telling people problems I have though so I do find it even harder telling a doctor that is really is not interested. I did try once though and she didnt show any feeling or understanding or care. I went in for something and I ended up in tears telling her some things I hadnt ever told anyone and she just dismissed it all. I felt wretched after confiding in her like that, I'm not one for ever showing my feelings so this was a massive thing to me so having that reaction from her made me not go for another 18 months. I felt numb after seeing her, I knew it was all wrong, I knew she wasn't being the doctor she should be but it made me feel so bad I just stayed away. The only reason I went to her again after that was because I had an opticians appointment and he asked me when I had last had my blood pressure checked and other tests, I said I can't remember it had been years. He was very shocked and said I needed regular check ups now and to go to my doctor and tell her that he had sent me.

I went to her that night and asked her for my repeat prescription, I then started to tell her of a few problems I was having, she passed it off again and clearly wanted me out of the surgery. I then asked if she thought I should have some tests and she said not necessary so I then said 'its just the optician I saw today told me to come and see you as I should be having regular health checks now, he said to say he had sent me' she very quickly said 'certainly I can sort that out for you right now' and she arranged the tests. Before I left I said do you think I should have my blood pressure checked today and she said no its ok.

I plan to see a different doctor in the practise now, I'll ring before going in to check who is on, if my own doctor isnt I can see a different one.

anguk

Incapacity benefit and DLA are completely separate benefits. Incapacity benefit is if you have an illness or disability that means you cannot work, DLA is for help you may need with personal care or help getting around, you don't have to be actually getting the help, you just have to need it if you know what I mean.

If you're unhappy with your GP then it may be best to change and get a new doctor. It's bad enough trying to deal with problems without having a doctor who seems uninterested.

If you apply for DLA it will not affect your IB, even if you get turned down for DLA they wouldn't stop your IB.

If you put "welfare rights" and your council or town into google you should be able to find a local office, someone there should be able to advise you and help with any forms.

black_paw

i have ib and dla together , always best to get help filling in the forms as very confusing .

[Deleted User]

Jazzy_B wrote: »

I've had incapacity benefit for several years now. My case is reviewed every 3 years at the moment, and I get sent a form to fill in. I think the maximum review period is 3 years. Depending on your answers, benefit continues, or further investigations are made, which will probably include a medical. I don't know if there's a facility to have a medical at home. The last three times, I've filled in the form and benefit has continued without a medical. I think it all depends on your medical condition.
I've put off claiming DLA for several years, and I know several people with my medical condition who've received it. I recently claimed it. The form was difficult, but I got a lot of help from Welfare Rights at the social work dept. ( I live in Scotland, so it's probably different in England)
They emphasised the need to provide any supporting medical evidence, and I went to my GP and consultant before I sent in my form, to let them know I was claiming, and the day to day problems I was having. Welfare Rights also told me that most claims are refused initially.
I can understand your reluctance to claim, but I think you should try. I know how difficult I found it.
I reckon your chances of success would be much higher if you could see your doctor and explain your problems. I know this must be really difficult for you, but there are lots of people out there who can help you.
Good luck.

I/B can be renewed for 5 years,as for DLA welfare rights were totally wrong to say that most claims claims are refused initially,around 60% of first time claims are now accepted and of the remaining 40% most of those that go to oral hearing are also accepted

Lady_K

I've just rang for a DLA form to be sent to me plus I've rang the doctors to make an appointment with a different doctor. I can turn up without an appointment on Monday morning if I want to but if I don't make it then I have made an appointment for Tuesday evening, thought I should do this knowing I'll find it hard to go. Now I've just got to turn up, I'm nervous already I just hate the thought of it but I'm going to try anyway

Jazzy_B

Just want to wish you the best of luck. The form is pretty daunting, but you've made the first step.Let us know how you get on.

sheeps68

Well done. You've made a good step forwards. I do hope you find a different doctor helpful & understanding that will help you feel supported as you make these difficult steps.

Lady_K

Thankyou Jazzy and sheeps68

I was going to ask them to send me 2 forms in case I made any mistakes as I'm terrible with forms but I didn't. I'll try and get some help and advice with filling it in if I can. My handwriting is virtually unreadable even to myself but I don't tell people even close family some of the problems I have so asking someone to write it for me isnt going to work. I did think about doing the online application but wasn't sure if once youve completed a page you cant go back to it and that put me off. I'd want to check it all through before finally letting it go. Has anyone done an online application for DLA?