DLA and Blue Badge - why do they always say no.

redleaf_2

Hi all,

Wow I'm surprised at all the replies, I only left my computer to have lunch! Thanks for the blue badge suggestion cyber bob. I'll try that when I apply again. Although I got a copy of the form the GP filled in and she'd ticked the right boxes. I was quite surprised she did though, because she's pretty rubbish. I tried to change doctor's surgery but no one else will take me (that's a whole other topic right there). I wish she was more supportive as it might help me.

This last DLA claim I filled in I was very detailed and did it like it was my very worse day. Like I - owe - you I think the fluctuating nature of the illness affects their decisions. They can't deal with it because you don't fit into one of their boxes.

Right I'm contacting the CAB seeing as quite a few of you have suggested. Right now, I'll except anybody's help I can get!

TOBRUK

sh1305 wrote: »

LRM is based on help needed outside due to disability - ie, safety, wandering off, panic attacks, etc. It has nothing to do with ability to physically walk.

DLA is based on needs and the diagnosis is irrelevant.

I may be corrected by someone else but the MOBILITY element DOES include the ability to walk - I don't have problems in wandering off or panic attacks. Part of the form asks how far you can walk before you are in severe pain or before you need to stop, and how long it takes you to walk a distance. It is also about your mobility indoors, also about any falls, if you need assistance including if you use a stick. This was discussed in a tribunal after my first attempt at applying for DLA.

I have to use a crutch to get around indoors and out as my legs are so bad because of ME. I can only use one crutch because I have paralysed right arm.

redleaf_2

Hi Invasion,

I'm just today writing to my specialist to get them to do a letter for me that I can then send to the DLA people. I don't think I'm entitled to a lot of help, but surely something from the lower end of the spectrum.

It Benefits and Work a magazine. Where do I find out about it? It'll be good to have a look.

TOBRUK

Invasion wrote: »

I have a subscription to benefits and work and it's been invaluable.

Hi Invasion, could I ask what you mean by this?

jazabelle

TOBRUK wrote: »

I may be corrected by someone else but the MOBILITY element DOES include the ability to walk - I don't have problems in wandering off or panic attacks. Part of the form asks how far you can walk before you are in severe pain or before you need to stop, and how long it takes you to walk a distance. It is also about your mobility indoors, also about any falls, if you need assistance including if you use a stick. This was discussed in a tribunal after my first attempt at applying for DLA.

Yes, that's what I thought. I was asked how far I can walk, how much pain I was in while doing so, falls, etc. I walk with a stick, can't walk very far, need to stop often, am in constant pain, exhausted and have fallen often. That's why I thought I might get some part of the mobility payment.

jazabelle

TOBRUK wrote: »

Hi Invasion, could I ask what you mean by this?

Sorry, I'm not Invasion, but I can't seem to stop myself from butting in!

It's a website that gives help and advice for filling out forms. It's supposed to be really good, but does cost to be a member.

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

Indie_Kid

Yeah, the ability to walk is for HRM.

TOBRUK

So sorry jazabelle for getting it wrong, please forgive me! Thanks for the explanation I shall have a look sometime. You sound a bit like me with mobility needs and I get High Mobility Rate! Where it asked how far can you walk before ...., I wrote that I was in pain without taking a step! With questions that asked you to tick on the form, some of the time when I didn't think it was as black and white as that I would write next to it with comments as well.

I didn't make a list of my needs, wherever appropriate I would give examples. I would also repeat myself a lot on other pages where appropriate. Also at the end of the form where it asks if you wish to add anything you think is relevant and also states you can add pages if there isn't enough room, I wrote about my everyday problems again with examples, any visits to specialist, GP, OT etc I actually filled the page and added a full A4 paper!

Hope it works out for you.

Invasion

Yes, the mobility element is confusing, LRM is for needing help in unfamiliar places, cos you're likely to have panic attacks etc, it doesn't actually have anything to do with the physical ability to walk, the only way you get HRM is by being unable to walk, or virtually unable to walk.

Do NOT fill in the form as if it is your worst day. The DWP are well aware of what conditions are likely to fluctuate, and by writing it as if it is your worst day you are only going to make things harder for yourself. I.e, if you say "I cannot get up the stairs" and you then have to say where you sleep, if your bedroom is upstairs then it's clear that is not the whole truth... Fill out the forms as if it was an average day, then say that your condition fluctuates, on a bad day you can't do X, and bad days happen X times a week etc.

Prinzessilein

DLA is given according to your specific needs. I have ASD, and found the DLA forms daunting (despite being reasonably bright) and I had help with my application. I think they make the forms complicated on purpose to deter us!

I went to DIAL, but there are other groups who will help (CAB can help too). They filled in the form for me, and when my application was refused they dealt with everything for me - phonecalls, asking for reconsideration, asking for an appeal....I didn't even have to attend any hearing. They dealt with everything.