Disability allowance

connie2

I had an MRI scan in April this year, been told ive got cervical degenerative disc disease - high form and also an inflamed tendon all on the right hand side of my body, i am also right handed and this makes my situation worse as i am in a lot of pain. I have been signed off work as the consultant said i need to rest the tendon, I am living on basic statuatory pay from work- just over £300, i am finding it very hard to make ends meet, i live on my own and i dont have savings. I have applied for disability living allowance-been turned down-now told to appeal! I have no idea if i can go back to work as my job involves a lot of manual work and this aggravites my disc disease +tendon , does anyone know if i can get other financial help? I am 56 this year and all this financial stress is getting me down

hayley11

Did you fill the forms in yourself? If not then I would seriously suggest getting help from somebody like CAB. DLA is very complicated and a lot of people get turned down if they try to do it themselves. You only get a month to appeal so you need to be quick.

Do you get Housing or Council Tax benefit? If not, apply for these ASAP.

[Deleted User]

What other benefits if any are you claiming?
As for DLA this is for care and or mobility problems and not for a diagnosis.If you are going to appeal then I would suggest getting help from either welfare rights or cab,and remember you only have a month to lodge the appeal.
Just one other thought at the age of 56 if you have paid into a personal or company pension(not final salary scheme)you maybe able to take 25% of its value now as cash/and/or a pension from it.

connie2

woodbine wrote: »

What other benefits if any are you claiming?
As for DLA this is for care and or mobility problems and not for a diagnosis.If you are going to appeal then I would suggest getting help from either welfare rights or cab,and remember you only have a month to lodge the appeal.
Just one other thought at the age of 56 if you have paid into a personal or company pension(not final salary scheme)you maybe able to take 25% of its value now as cash/and/or a pension from it.

I am not claiming anything, have been given a council tax reduction, have applied for housing benefit-not heard back as yet (i live in a private flat and have to pay maintenance & service) I do have mobility problems, i cannot drive , lift heavy shopping, most daily chores at the moment are difficult for me as i have this inflammed tendon too!

cattie

How long have you had the diagnosis? Only the condition must have existed for at least 3 months before the claim was made & be expected to last for at least a further 6 months.

When you were turned down for dla, did you ask for a statement of reasons? If so, what reasons were given?

Did you feel the application form in alone or have help with it from an experienced welfare rights advisor? If no help then seek help now & put in an appeal.

Remember with dla, it's not the condition itself that counts or what medication you need to take, but the care and/or mobility needs you many have because of the condition.

If you're not able to return to your job then you should qualify for ESA, which replaced incapacity benefit last year.

connie2

I was off work in october last year with all this pain, went back to work in january, two and a half months into work and on light duties it all flared up again-had the MRI scan in April where it showed i had cervical degenerative disc and tendon inflammation. I did not get help the first time i applied for disability allowance, the letter i got back was basicially telling me that as i dont need 'care help' i dont qualify, i cannot do my shopping (have to rely on friends), i have limited mobility with my right arm i have weakness in the affected area i can't lift anything heavy , even reaching for something gives me neck strain, when writing or typing my fingers cease up, i get numbness, tingling in the neck and arm also shoulders, and trying to sleep is a nightmare also can't drive. I have got a friend who is now going to help me fill in the appeal form .

lilac_lady

If you can't lift anything heavy such as a cooking pot you should at least qualify for the lower care component of DLA. You should definitely appeal the decison not to grant you it. Good luck!

connie2

Thank you, i do hope i get some financial help, not easy living on stat pay which does not cover bills, let alone able to eat a healthy balanced meal, our human rights get forgotten about in times like this. Even more annoying when you have worked for the past 40yrs. This is a wonderful site, glad i joined, least it makes one feel that there are people who show an interest. Thanks :A

mealone

you are making a common mistake, DLA isnt about shopping or housework its about care and mobility ONLY. And it has nothing to do with working or work record.

How far can you walk and does walking cause you pain?

how do you manage to wash your hair and shower?

These are the kinds of things you need to answer truthfully to get a DLA award, dont be brave or under/over estimate your problems just give full and truthful account of your daily life.

Are you having treatment and have you seen a pain managment specialist?

connie2

Thank you for the info, i do have problems walking, i am having treatment at the moment, honesty is the best policy .