apply for DLA or not

jtnikyu

I have a number of health issues. Both my knees have had their ACL replaced a number of years ago and now they have started hurting and making a crunching sound when I walk or stand causing lots of pain, My GP has said they do sound bad but has refered me to physio. I have hypercholesterolemia (thanks dad) And am on medication for it although it is complicated as I have mitral valve regurgitation(heart murmer) that causes heart to race when I do anything making me light headed and on a number of occasions I have momentarily blacked out. For this I am due to see a cardio at the hospital no telling how long I will need to wait to see him.

My husband is on DLA highrate and uses a wheelchair and me caring for him has made my problems worse but not sure I should claim or not? My husband says why not they can only say no. I say as he is getting it I am not allowed.

daska

DLA is not means tested and is for you, how many other people in your household claim it is completely beside the point. If you are no longer able to care fully for your husband then I think you should also ask for an assessment by social services. They should be able to help.

jtnikyu

daska wrote: »

DLA is not means tested and is for you, how many other people in your household claim it is completely beside the point. If you are no longer able to care fully for your husband then I think you should also ask for an assessment by social services. They should be able to help.

They are due here on the 13th of October to do assessment & would be a weight off my mind if they can help. Bless him but he tries and does all he can but at times he is unable to cope at all. He tries to hide his pain from me so I feel better but I do not as he ends up worse in the end . Should I wait until the assessment and seeing my cardio before filling in a claim form?

Unity

If your husband is on high rate DLA and you aren't working, you should be getting Carer's Allowance. I only mention this as some people don't realise.

Dashka is correct, there's nothing to stop you also claiming DLA and I agree it is definitely worth getting an assessment from Social Services.

Do get help from CAB or Welfare Rights to fill in the form as they are experienced. Hopefully your GP is supportive, does he know what's at the root cause of the pain and crunching in your knees? It may warrant investigation to ensure physio isn't going to have an adverse effect. If you know when you are going to see the cardiologist you should also be able to had his/her name to the form as an expert who can state how your condition affects you.

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Good luck

Oops sorry, I must have been posting at the same time as you. Ask CAB, Welfare Rights or even DWP about when to apply. I think you could apply now and submit supporting evidence from the cardiologist later - but I'm not sure so it's best to ask the experts. Perhaps even ask the advice of the person doing the assessment.

cydney65

Unity wrote: »

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Both me and my OH claim DLA (h/h and m/h) and incapacity benefit. We have what is termed an underlying entitlement to carers allowance i.e. we don't actually get any money, as the amount would be taken off our allowances so we would be no better off, but we are entitled to it!!!

HTH

CydneyX

daska

Unity wrote: »

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Yes, if you care for someone getting middle or high rate care for 35+ hours a week you can claim Carer's Allowance. And vice versa. This is because there is no definition of 'care'. It can be as simple as just being on the end of a phone, or being prepared to respond to an emergency, or making tea or helping with paperwork.

Unity

cydney65 wrote: »

Both me and my OH claim DLA (h/h and m/h) and incapacity benefit. We have what is termed an underlying entitlement to carers allowance i.e. we don't actually get any money, as the amount would be taken off our allowances so we would be no better off, but we are entitled to it!!!

HTH

CydneyX

daska wrote: »

Yes, if you care for someone getting middle or high rate care for 35+ hours a week you can claim Carer's Allowance. And vice versa. This is because there is no definition of 'care'. It can be as simple as just being on the end of a phone, or being prepared to respond to an emergency, or making tea or helping with paperwork.

Thanks for your input :T. The rules and regs change so quickly these days it's often hard to say what will still be in force :rolleyes:.

jtnikyu

my husband is on high rate mobility and low care. even though he needs help throughout the day and sometimes at night. so am unable to claim carers. may try claiming DLA for me as they can only say no so nothing to lose but thank you all for your input. will let you know how I get on

jtnikyu

Unity;25443989If your husband is on high rate DLA and you aren't working, you should be getting Carer's Allowance. I only mention this as some people don't realise.As just mentioned he gets High on mobility and only low on care

Dashka is correct, there's nothing to stop you also claiming DLA and I agree it is definitely worth getting an assessment from Social Services.

Do get help from CAB or Welfare Rights to fill in the form as they are experienced. Hopefully your GP is supportive, does he know what's at the root cause of the pain and crunching in your knees? It may warrant investigation to ensure physio isn't going to have an adverse effect. If you know when you are going to see the cardiologist you should also be able to had his/her name to the form as an expert who can state how your condition affects you. I have had both anterior cruciate ligaments replaced and the scar tissue builds up and they will go again if not yet my GP just sends me to physio and am on long waiting list to see them. had the acl's replaced over 13 years ago one is my own and the other was from a dead guy. I had them done in the States where I come from Now walking upstairs is painfull pushing the wheelchair uphill and even standing makes them crunch.

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Good luck

Oops sorry, I must have been posting at the same time as you. Ask CAB, Welfare Rights or even DWP about when to apply. I think you could apply now and submit supporting evidence from the cardiologist later - but I'm not sure so it's best to ask the experts. Perhaps even ask the advice of the person doing the assessment.

Unity

jtnikyu wrote: »

Unity;25443989If your husband is on high rate DLA and you aren't working, you should be getting Carer's Allowance. I only mention this as some people don't realise.As just mentioned he gets High on mobility and only low on care

Dashka is correct, there's nothing to stop you also claiming DLA and I agree it is definitely worth getting an assessment from Social Services.

Do get help from CAB or Welfare Rights to fill in the form as they are experienced. Hopefully your GP is supportive, does he know what's at the root cause of the pain and crunching in your knees? It may warrant investigation to ensure physio isn't going to have an adverse effect. If you know when you are going to see the cardiologist you should also be able to had his/her name to the form as an expert who can state how your condition affects you. I have had both anterior cruciate ligaments replaced and the scar tissue builds up and they will go again if not yet my GP just sends me to physio and am on long waiting list to see them. had the acl's replaced over 13 years ago one is my own and the other was from a dead guy. I had them done in the States where I come from Now walking upstairs is painfull pushing the wheelchair uphill and even standing makes them crunch.

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Good luck

Oops sorry, I must have been posting at the same time as you. Ask CAB, Welfare Rights or even DWP about when to apply. I think you could apply now and submit supporting evidence from the cardiologist later - but I'm not sure so it's best to ask the experts. Perhaps even ask the advice of the person doing the assessment.

Sorry about that jtnikyu - to err is human - in my case some days it's mandatory. Just as well I don't have to listen as well as read - since I'm deaf as well.:o Plus I managed to post at the same time as you.

I just wondered if maybe you had degenerative changes in the joints or something that had developed after your ACL replacements - that's the reason I mentioned rheumatology or othopaedic reports as obviously anything that's additional and reported on can add weight to a DLA claim.

My son (21) has just had his ACL replaced with an 8cm graft from his hamstring (three weeks ago) and I must admit I am worried about long term implications since the original football injury went undiagnosed for over a year. He also has a permanent bolt through his knee now.

Good luck with your claim.

jtnikyu

Unity wrote: »

If your husband is on high rate DLA and you aren't working, you should be getting Carer's Allowance. I only mention this as some people don't realise.

Dashka is correct, there's nothing to stop you also claiming DLA and I agree it is definitely worth getting an assessment from Social Services.

Do get help from CAB or Welfare Rights to fill in the form as they are experienced. Hopefully your GP is supportive, does he know what's at the root cause of the pain and crunching in your knees? It may warrant investigation to ensure physio isn't going to have an adverse effect. If you know when you are going to see the cardiologist you should also be able to had his/her name to the form as an expert who can state how your condition affects you.

I'm unsure whether a couple, where both are claiming DLA can claim CA for each other but DWP should be able to tell you.

Good luck

Oops sorry, I must have been posting at the same time as you. Ask CAB, Welfare Rights or even DWP about when to apply. I think you could apply now and submit supporting evidence from the cardiologist later - but I'm not sure so it's best to ask the experts. Perhaps even ask the advice of the person doing the assessment.

Unity wrote: »

Sorry about that jtnikyu - to err is human - in my case some days it's mandatory. Just as well I don't have to listen as well as read - since I'm deaf as well.:o Plus I managed to post at the same time as you.

I just wondered if maybe you had degenerative changes in the joints or something that had developed after your ACL replacements - that's the reason I mentioned rheumatology or othopaedic reports as obviously anything that's additional and reported on can add weight to a DLA claim.

My son (21) has just had his ACL replaced with an 8cm graft from his hamstring (three weeks ago) and I must admit I am worried about long term implications since the original football injury went undiagnosed for over a year. He also has a permanent bolt through his knee now.

Good luck with your claim.

Do not worry about posting at same time as me its all good info.

As for has anything else gone wrong with knees time will only tell as I have said GP as just said I should see a Physio, Thing is once they have gone in past you yourself know there is a problem and what does GP think a physio can do? they did same with my hubby about his back then physio refered him to a orthopod so guess they choose to refere to cheapest option first.

just adding knees with heart and the high colestoral problems..... (colestoral problem is genetic and non dietry, just too much of the bad colestoral), GP stated the colestoral problem can lead to heart attack at anytime and normally does by the age of 35 and as I am 44 he says I am very lucky but he expects me to have a heart attack in the next 12 months. the heart MVR I have had for 12 years and was being treated in the USA but GP here says that here they will only do the treatment once the valves give up...... makes it two ways I am due a heart attack and I need to be carefull what I do.

Your son should be Fine and recover well for the main part. has been over 13 years and had been getting the scar tissue cleaned out regular as clockwork in states but not had anything done in the 3 years have been here due to devoting time to husband and his health but he nagged me enough by saying if i do not care for myself then I will be no good to him or me. I know he is talking sence but......