epilepsy and dla and starting work

mercedes125

I have epilepsy and get dla i am wanting to get back into work not sure how i would be because of my illness but want to give it a go but would i stop getting dla.
Thankyou

Invasion

DLA is not means tested, so it wouldn't be taken away if you were to work, however you would need to inform the DWP that you are working.

dmg24

You only need to advise the DWP (at least in respect of DLA) if there is a change in your condition, not a change in working circumstances.

Invasion

Oops, sorry! Then again if you've not been well enough to work, but then are, presumably that would be a change of circumstances to do with your condition?

beaniebabe

mercedes125 wrote: »

I have epilepsy and get dla i am wanting to get back into work not sure how i would be because of my illness but want to give it a go but would i stop getting dla.
Thankyou

I have had epilepsy since the age of 4 years and have always worked full time. My epilepsy is not fully controlled with medication and it is managed the best it can. The only thing my illness prevents me from doing is driving. I have always been very honest with my employer about my illness and as a result of this they have supported me with transport as my job requires me to travel.
Employees have a duty to support people with a disability and to provide them with the necassary things to do their job.
Your DLA will not be effected, however I would advise you to contact the relevant people in respect of any means tested benefits that you may be claiming.
I am aware that there are different types of epilepsy that effect people in different ways and you are the best person to make the decision about returning to work and the effect this may have on you.
I wish you the best of luck, and good on you for wanting to return to work.X;)

kazzah60

I hope this goes well for you - you are under NO obligation to inform the DWP that you are planning to try to return to work as dmg24 states, only if your condition changes and if your epilepsy is like my brothers, it may get slightly worse in stressful situations like re-starting work, before it settles down again, so please don't rush to tell the DWP you are in any way "better"

It is perfectly legal for claimiants of DLA to go to work - the only time you need to declare anything is if your disability changes and your care needs or mobility needs improve
my ds is 19 and has dla for Aspergers syndrome ( has had had dla since he was 4) he is going for his 1st job interview tomorrow and if he is lucky enough to get the job, I will not be telling the DWP as he will STILL have Aspergers and semantic pragmatic language disorder - but will just need additional help throughout the day to care for himself.

[Deleted User]

As already said dla shouldnt be affected unless the reason you are able to return to work is because of an improvement in your epilepsy.
I hope it goes well and i must admit i envy you,for 10 years now my epilepsy has stopped me working,its totally uncontrolled and i have full seizures about 4 times a week and absence seizures several times a day,my last full one was yesterday on platform 2 of manchesters piccadilly station...but i`m never allowed out on my own so was as ever looked after.

[Deleted User]

Remember you may get access to work support. They can help pay for transport costs to work and if you have to travel as part of your job they can also help with that. They can also pay for adaptions in the workplace for you. This pays for taxis for me.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Employmentsupport/WorkSchemesAndProgrammes/DG_4000347

You can also claim working tax credits with the disability element. And as everyone else has said you will continue with DLA so long as you still have care and/or mobility needs.

Good luck to you. I have epilepsy which is now partly controlled and have worked full time since I left college at 20, has caused me some difficulties at times but it can be done. .

kazzah60

woodbine wrote: »

As already said dla shouldnt be affected unless the reason you are able to return to work is because of an improvement in your epilepsy.
I hope it goes well and i must admit i envy you,for 10 years now my epilepsy has stopped me working,its totally uncontrolled and i have full seizures about 4 times a week and absence seizures several times a day,my last full one was yesterday on platform 2 of manchesters piccadilly station...but i`m never allowed out on my own so was as ever looked after.

Woodbine - my brother's epilepsy sounds very much like yours, he has suffered with it since surgery to remove a brain tumour some 42 years ago!
he is constantly worrying about being on incapacity benefit- and dla as he worries that he will be prosecuted and labelled a scrounger - but he is totally unemployable - his last job was 18 years ago for the local council as a housing benefit officer -sadly when he was having an "absence" he could delete a mornings work from the computer, then on occasion he would think he was at home and getting in the shower and start undressing - the staff in the office we great with him, but then a new boss started and interviewed my brother and told him he needed to go off sick until he was cured ( wouldn't get away with it these days!) so he was retired on the grounds of ill health at the age of38

he can't be left alone when travelling - when he is stressed his absences get really bad and he has been found wandering on a dual carriageway near his home, getting on a bus and ending up nowhere where he should be, even getting lost at our local hospital going for an x ray

His medication has now given him tunnel vision and the shakes really badly and his aggression and short term memory are really bad!
he is my brother but I would NOT work with him - he is too unpredicatable.

he is going through a really bad stage of paranoia at the moment, after watching that BBC morning programme saints and scroungers - he is CONVINCED the DWP are lurking round every corner to "catch him out"
quite what they are going to catch him out doing is beyond me- but you can't reason with him - he is just too worried all the time
IMO Epilepsy is a horrible "hidden" disability and becuase no 2 people ever have the same symptoms, is greatly misunderstood.

I really wish the OP the very best of luck returning to work - I know my borther would be happier in himself if he was still working.

mercedes125

Thankyou for all your replys, I have a interview next week i am really nervous i feel as though if i told them i have epilepsy it might put them off giving me a job but i will try.

beaniebabe

Mercedes
I have PM you. Please can you let me know if you have received my message cos my computer went a bit odd!!
What job have you applied for? Good luck hun!