Diabetes/DLA

dmackay41

An elderly relative of mine has never claimed disablement benefits in her life, although now retired, feels she may have to now.

She is diabetic, and has been for many years, requiring to be accompanied at all times by her husband (he is there anyway..ha ha) in case she takes a hypo and passes out. She has a driving licence and vehicle, but does not drive if feeling unwell.

Does anyone know if DLA can be claimed for Diabetes?, and what other benefits either may claim?

Thanks.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello,

I am sure that your relative could claim DLA, but as you say she is retired, if she is older than 65, it would be Attendance Allowance.

I would suggest you have a look at the Benefits now website, as there is lots of information on the different criteria.

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk

Dial UK is another useful organisation, run by disable people for disabled people.
http://www.dialuk.org.uk

DLA / Attendance Allowance is not on the actual condition, but the care needed because of it.
From what you have said, you should be looking at the grounds of:-
Attention / Supervision / Watching over.

Look at The decision Makers Guide from benefits now website, it will help you understand the criteria and terminology.

Good luck

Munchie

krisskross

My husband is diabetic, insulin controlled. He certainly does not need me to hold his hand everywhere we go.

Doubt very much there would be any DLA payable for a fairly easily managed illness unless there was something else as well like Altzeimers or something that affects physical capability to inject.

If someone is having lots of hypos then they need reassessment. My husband attends the diabetic clinic each year, where his regime and long term blood results are looked at and tweaked if need be. He does have occasional hypos but recognises the shakey, odd feeling and takes a glucose sweet or has a sandwich to avert it.

mazza111

Yes, you can claim DLA for diabetes, it depends on your condition as to whether you will get it or not though. I have 2 nephews with type 1 diabetes who both get an element of DLA, can't remember which one, but not the higher rate, it depends on the individual.


Krisskross, I am so glad your husband recognizes when he's going into a hypo, many sufferers don't. Please remember it's only manageable for some people.

krisskross

mazza111 wrote: »

Yes, you can claim DLA for diabetes, it depends on your condition as to whether you will get it or not though. I have 2 nephews with type 1 diabetes who both get an element of DLA, can't remember which one, but not the higher rate, it depends on the individual.


Krisskross, I am so glad your husband recognizes when he's going into a hypo, many sufferers don't. Please remember it's only manageable for some people.

It would be fairly unusual for an adult with no other issues to get DLA for diabetes.

Parents with diabetic children will usually get something as the child would need more care than is usual, however this will usually stop when they reach 16.

Why does the OP's relative feel they need to claim now I wonder? Has her condition deteriorated or is she just feeling the pinch following retirement?

carlislelass

relative has diabetes but doesn`t get dla

Glyndwr_2

mazza111 wrote: »

Yes, you can claim DLA for diabetes, it depends on your condition as to whether you will get it or not though. I have 2 nephews with type 1 diabetes who both get an element of DLA, can't remember which one, but not the higher rate, it depends on the individual.


Krisskross, I am so glad your husband recognizes when he's going into a hypo, many sufferers don't. Please remember it's only manageable for some people.

But if the DVLA have let her keep her driving licence, then she must be well controlled. If she has not informed the DVLA of her condition she is breaking the law.

anguk

Glyndwr wrote: »

But if the DVLA have let her keep her driving licence, then she must be well controlled. If she has not informed the DVLA of her condition she is breaking the law.

Exactly! If she is so bad that her husband has to accompany her at all times then she should not be driving at all in case she has a hypo. My husband is insulin dependant and he only gets his driving licence for 3 years at a time and has to fill in a medical form to renew it.

If your relative is insulin dependant then by law she has to inform the DVLA and if her hypos are so bad that she has to be accompanied all the time then the DVLA will, most likely, revoke her licence.

You do not need to inform the DVLA if you are treated by tablets or diet but if you do have any diabetic complications (eyes, circulation etc) or problems with hypos then you will need to inform the DVLA.

These rules are not so much to protect the diabetic person but all other road users.

From the DVLA website:

"Drivers do not need to tell DVLA if their diabetes is treated by tablets, diet or both and they are free of the complications listed below
Some people with diabetes develop associated problems that may affect their driving.

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What you need to tell us about

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By law you must tell us if any of the following apply:

1. you need treatment with insulin.
   
2. you need laser treatment to both eyes or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only.
   
3. you have problems with vision in both eyes, or in the remaining eye if you have sight in one eye only. By law you must be able to read, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary, a car number plate in good light at 20.5 metres (67 feet) or 20 metres (65 feet) where narrower characters 50mm wide are displayed.)
   
4. you develop any problems with the circulation or sensation in your legs or feet which make it necessary for you to drive certain types of vehicles only, for example automatic vehicles or vehicle a hand operated accelerator or brake. This must be noted on your driving licence.
   
5. you suffer more than one episode of disabling hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) within 12 months, or if you or your carer feel you are at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia.
   
6. you develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.
   
7. you suffer disabling hypoglycaemia at the wheel.
   
8. an existing medical condition gets worse or you develop any other condition that may affect your safe driving.

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In the interests of road safety you must be sure that you can safely control a motor vehicle at all times."

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Limana68

My mum has Type 1 diabetes and gets attendance allowance, has done for the past 4 yrs, BUT she has other health & mobility problems too. She lives with us and we have to help with her insulin and diet etc and her memory is failing so she needs constant motivation to keep her blood sugar levels up.
I dont think she would get her attendance allowance tho if she just had diabetes, as like another poster said, you should be monitored regulary if you keep getting hypo's as does my mum.