DLA epilepsy?

Barneysmom

Hello, can anyone help please?
I'm not sure if we can claim DLA, or get any help.
My hubby was in the army for 20 years and when he left he ba#ecame a lrry driver. All was going really well till he had an accident which hasleft him with epilepsy. That was nearly 5 years ago. During this time he hjas been getting incapacity benefit.
I don't know if he can get DLA, how do I find out?
He is quite ill, he's just recovering from a big episode where he broke 2 boes in hios arm and ended up with a huge 'cyclops' bruise in the middle of his forehead.
I took a photo of him with my mobile phone.
Last week he wandered off down the street as I was talkign to him, it's made me wonder if there's something more serious going wrong with him.
He's not due to see his consultant till next March I think it is...

Meanwhile, I'm working full time to pay the mortgage etc, and am so tired out, I think it's all making me ill now. I have IBS which is a nightmare sometimes, and I am hypothyroid.

Indie_Kid

It depends if he has care and /or mobility needs. IE, can he cook a meal if he has all the ingredients? Cooking ability is ignored here.

Another way to get DLA is to do with supervision - ie, if he's on his own, will fitting be dangerous for him? In terms of injury and such like.

Barneysmom

That's one that worries me, he is on his own while i'm at work..
The IB letter said he has I think 15 points, though I don't know what it means.

doelani

He should apply for DLA, it is about the care he needs and the motability needs he has. Unforturnely no condition entitles you to DLA but he has nothing to lose by applying.

Ring for a form , they will date it today and then if sucessful it will be backdated to the date ont he form. When you are at CAB on saturday ask them about help filling in the form, they may have a disability advisor who will be able to help with it or point you in right direction.

The forms can be very daunting but do not let that put you off. DLA is not means tested so you workign will not effect it.

[Deleted User]

Lots of people get DLA for epilepsy, I do. I would get your local CAB or similar to help you with the forms and request the book from here http://www.cerebra.org.uk/parent_support/DLA_guide.htm this book is based on kids but lots of the advice is the same.

Also look here for other advice & support with DLA and other benefits. http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/benefits.html

[Deleted User]

As already said may people(myself inc)get DLA for epilepsy,2 considerations would be the frequency of the seizures and how well controlled his epilepsy is by mediaction(or not as the case maybe).My advice would be to apply but get help with the forms from welfare rights or CAB.
The 15 points are the min needed to get I/B and having 1 seizure a week = 15 points.
Please feel free to post again with any questions or PM me

verysillyguy06

Would contacting Adult Social Care be any help??

meltdown_point

Barneysmom wrote: »

Last week he wandered off down the street as I was talkign to him, it's made me wonder if there's something more serious going wrong with him.
He's not due to see his consultant till next March I think it is...

.

Not trying to scare you but your hubby needs to see a neurologist.....any knock on the head can cause eplipsey, which in turn causes fits and can affect memory. Has anything like the above happened before? just wandering off? It would concern me esp as he injured himself on the head beforehand IYKWIM.

I would insist on a brain scan asap!

He should be entitled to DLA and in turn you would be entitled to carers allowance... Social services may be of help to you as they can do a risk assessment and refferal to OT aswell incase he needs alarms sited throughout the house.

meltdown_point

Being hyperthoride......overactive thyroid gland I presume?

Entitles you to free prescriptions;) as thyroid problems are considered life threatening!
Oh btw did your hubby go to A&E when he had his last seizure? did they not refer him for a brain scan?

Indie_Kid

meltdown_point wrote: »

Not trying to scare you but your hubby needs to see a neurologist.....any knock on the head can cause eplipsey, which in turn causes fits and can affect memory.

I agree. A knock on the head was the cause of my fit. Thankfully, I am not epileptic; but do have the memory problems.

Barneysmom

Thanks everyone, I'll see if I can get an appointment at the CAB next week.

meltdown_point wrote: »

Being hyperthoride......overactive thyroid gland I presume?

Entitles you to free prescriptions;) as thyroid problems are considered life threatening!
Oh btw did your hubby go to A&E when he had his last seizure? did they not refer him for a brain scan?

Sorry I must've spelt it wrong, I'm hypothyroid, I've got an underactive thyroid, for which I take meds.
No, they never sent hiim for a scan.