bipolar/DLA?

rockie4

My OH has recently been diagnosed as bipolar.
He has been given sicknotes by his gp for the last 6months but is unable to claim incapacity due to lack of NI contributions - anyone knowing anything about bipolar will recognise this! :doh: However he's still getting letters from the DSS demanding sicknotes!


It's been suggested he applies for DLA, we got the forms but I'm not sure? His psychyatrist has noted that he's not working but wants to go back to work if /when possible.
Does anyone have any experience with this? I work fulltime and we are managing (thanks to MSE) but it's getting a bit tight now.

Any help/advice gratefully recieved and apologies if I've posted in the wrong place!

feelinggood_2

Does your husband have an appointed CPN or Support Worker? These tend to be more helpful with form-filling than Pyschiatrists! The DLA forms are a bit big and can be daunting, especially when depressed, so if he can get help from someone who knows him, that'd be the best thing. Otherwises the CAB can help.

cattie

As previous poster says, if he doesn't have a CPN or other key worker then he should take experienced welfare rights advice & help on getting the forms filled out. If there is a MIND near you, then they usually have an advocate worker experienced in filling out such forms for people with mental illness.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello rockie4,

I think the correct place for this, would be the Disability and Dosh board, where you will find others with the same diagnosis.

There are lots of organisations that can help with the filling in of DLA forms.

DIAL is useful if you have a branch near to you. They are often staffed by disabled persons, and deal with disability issues.
You can find your nearest branch from this link.
http://www.dialuk.info

Welfare Rights can also help with entitlement, and can help in a similar way to DIAL. WR are normally part of your county council, so will be worth a phone call.

It will also be worth you looking at the Benefits now website. The Disability Handbook and Decision Makers Guide explain the processes.

Here is a link to the Disability handbook, that specifically talks about Bipolar.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/handbook/severedepressivedisorder.asp

Have a read of this thread from Thanatos, a DWP decision maker. It gives important do's and don'ts when filling out the forms. Although he is no longer to asnswer specific questions, it's sound advice to follow.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1250001

Good luck

Munchie

Oldernotwiser

munchings-n-crunchings wrote: »

Hello rockie4,

I think the correct place for this, would be the Disability and Dosh board, where you will find others with the same diagnosis.

There are posters on here who are bipolar and the Benefits Board is the correct place for benefits advice! However, it's not only people with the same diagnosis that can advise people about benefits, you know!

munchings-n-crunchings

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

There are posters on here who are bipolar and the Benefits Board is the correct place for benefits advice! However, it's not only people with the same diagnosis that can advise people about benefits, you know!

Anything else wrong with what I've said?? No, it's all very sound advice

Just thought it would be helpful for the OP to visit the other board. The point was more related to reading from others with the same diagnosis, rather than implying that only people with the same diagnosis can help with benefits advice.
It's just sometimes nice to have the support, knowing that you're not alone with a particular diagnosis.
I cannot imagine what it's like to have Bipolar, or live with someone with the diagnosis, but I know it's helpful to 'speak' with others to find out how they cope and their experiences.

Like I've said, the 2 boards do cross over, where disability and benefits are concerned, and both boards can be equally helpful.

Munchie.

dmg24

Hi rockie4,

I have bipolar, and made a successful application for DLA for this reason. I would like to think that we can help you on the Benefits board without you having to post elsewhere!

You will be aware that there are many variants of bipolar, but as a rough guide bipolar (II) is usually awarded middle rate care and lower rate mobility, and bipolar (I) is awarded higher rate care and lower rate mobility.

It is possible for you to complete the DLA forms yourself (I did), but if you do not feel confident then the psych should be able to put you in touch with a Benefits Advisor that specialises in this area. The key to a successful application, as well as the information you supply, is a strong supporting letter from your psych. You can either supply this yourself, or request that the Decision Maker requests this as part of their assessment of your application.

If you need any more info, feel free to PM me x

dmg24

munchings-n-crunchings wrote: »

Like I've said, the 2 boards do cross over, where disability and benefits are concerned, and both boards can be equally helpful.

So you suggest that everyone posts two threads? :rolleyes:

Could I make a really novel suggestion? How about those that frequent the Disability board pop over to the Benefits board? That would eliminate duplication of threads, and might actually get benefits threads back in their correct place.

healy

munchings-n-crunchings wrote: »

Anything else wrong with what I've said?? No, it's all very sound advice

Just thought it would be helpful for the OP to visit the other board. The point was more related to reading from others with the same diagnosis, rather than implying that only people with the same diagnosis can help with benefits advice.
It's just sometimes nice to have the support, knowing that you're not alone with a particular diagnosis.
I cannot imagine what it's like to have Bipolar, or live with someone with the diagnosis, but I know it's helpful to 'speak' with others to find out how they cope and their experiences.

Like I've said, the 2 boards do cross over, where disability and benefits are concerned, and both boards can be equally helpful.

Munchie.

There are likely to be far more people on this board with Bipolar as there are ten times or more people viewing this board compared to the other one.

It is good to get advice and help here but if people want to talk to others with the same condition I am sure there are plenty of forums to be found on the internet.

If it is just benefits advice this is the correct board.

rockie4

Thanks for the help!

He does have a CPN but he's off sick at the moment!
I'll see if he can fill them in himself other wise I'll pack him off to MIND as we have one nearby.

I'll have a look throught the links you've suggested.

The psych did ask about social workers and the like but we don't have anything like that just a very supportive GP. The CPN has said he thinks it's bipolar II and from what I've read I think i would agree......it's quite stressful though!!

Thanks again and sorry if I caused a problem, I did post on the D&D board but it was moved.

mitchaa

Is Bi-polar a lifetime disability or do those that claim DLA inform the authorities when it subsides?

I suspect if you get used to the money you can just carry on claiming to be depressed? Is this the way the system works

How do you diagnose bi polar from say a bad mood?

Curious, always good to learn something new