DLA Advice Needed

the_greed

My husband is in receipt of DLA, he gets the low care component and the high mobility component. He has recently had a laryngectomy and I am his carer. Would it be worth submitting a claim to see if he can get either the middle rate or higher rate of care component. I don't know what to do as I am worried that if we submit a claim he will lose everything.

black_paw

what about getting some advise from local CAB or disabled groups ? as its a differcult thing to know . i would had throught he should get more ...but you hear people losing all benefit ... a very hard one to know whats best. fingers crossed for you

alwaysonthego_2

Go to the see the welfare rights worker at the CAB.

Just bear in mind that you may lose your DLA or drop a level, though it is very unlikely, there is still a risk. This is why it is important to get expert help.

The_walrus

The key is simply this - if he needs more personal care now than he did before, it's probably worth ringing them to request review forms.

[Deleted User]

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Go to the see the welfare rights worker at the CAB.

Just bear in mind that you may lose your DLA or drop a level, though it is very unlikely, there is still a risk. This is why it is important to get expert help.

As you say its important to get advice on this to be a certain as possible that existing dla isnt at risk,i wonder when the OPs dla review is due,could be worth waiting till then if its not too far off

pipkin71

From my own situation the greed, my health deteriorated towards the end of last year so I submitted a change of circumstances and my DLA award levels were increased. I sent OT / physio / hospital reports and they also contacted my Dr, but I didn't need to go through a medical as the information was enough to show my needs had increased

Of course, there is the worry that the decision may go the other way, but if care / mobility needs have increased then I'm not sure why they would then remove the DLA award, although I can appreciate why it worries you.

As others have said, seek some advice on this, but when DLA is awarded it does state that you are to inform them of any change in circumstances and as your husband's circumstances have changed you should let them know.

The_walrus

No - when your review pack comes you simply throw away the mobility part.There will be a note in the pack advising that if mobility hasn't changed there is no need to complete it, so it shouldn't be at risk.

southantrim3

The advise I would give is that the DLA award is not based on any conditions/disbilities that your husband has. What it is based on is the resulting mobility and care needs from those conditions/disabilities. If, as a result of this new condition, there are greater care needs than before, then yes go ahead and ask for a review. If the care needs remain unchanged (as some conditions may not require care) then I would leave it as is.
It would also do no harm to enclose a statement from your GP and/or consultant stating how the medical condition affects the care needs etc.
All the best.

Trasthmatic

The_walrus wrote: »

No - when your review pack comes you simply throw away the mobility part.There will be a note in the pack advising that if mobility hasn't changed there is no need to complete it, so it shouldn't be at risk.

If your husband already has an indefinite award of HRMC then you can write no change on the mobility part. If you have a limited award then throwing the mobility part away will just delay your claim as the DWP will need to assess if the mobility needs are expected to persist for longer than was previously decided.

The_walrus

Not true I'm afraid

the_greed

A change of circumstances form was sent to me today so I have filled it in with a little help. I filled in both parts and was as honest as I possibly could be. The clinical nurse specialist is going to write a letter of support as well as our GP so we will see what happens. His care needs have increased so I have told the truth.