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

Invasion

DIAL are now A4U in most places

redleaf_2

Oh no Tobruk. Your advice about filling it in as an avergae day is totally the opposite to all other advice I have been given (which is fill it in as your worst day). Perhaps this is where I'm going wrong.

This stuff about the difference between all the different rates is really interesting as I didn't know much about it until now. From reading everyone's posts it sounds like I'd only be entitled to the HMR, if that's the one that includes how far you can walk etc. However, I don't know if I would be entitled to it really. I mean there's days when I don't leave the house because I'm too fatigued and in pain, and like someone else on here (sorry can't remember who it was) I put I couldn't walk a step without pain and discomfort on the form, as I have that at rest. On the other hand I can walk small distances (depending on how I feel) and I only use my stick some of the time. I don't want to think I'm entitled to something if I'm not.

redleaf_2

This DIAL/A4U sounds fantastic. I have real trouble filling in the forms because of my low concentration and fatigue. Plus I just find it really depressing talking about all the things I can't do.

Rochelle

I went to my local disability action group and they helped me fill in the forms for Dla and the blue badge which were both awarded to me.
Why dot u do a google search for disability action groups in your area ad ask them to help you with your forms as they are specifically trained to help with these forms and might be able to advise you better than CAB.

Indie_Kid

redleaf wrote: »

Oh no Tobruk. Your advice about filling it in as an avergae day is totally the I mean there's days when I don't leave the house because I'm too fatigued and in pain, and like someone else on here (sorry can't remember who it was) I put I couldn't walk a step without pain and discomfort on the form, as I have that at rest.

Does the pain / fatigue make it hard / impossible to do things such as dressing yourself, washing, going toilet, social activities (swimming, playing board games, etc) or cooking a meal?

TOBRUK

redleaf wrote: »

Oh no Tobruk. Your advice about filling it in as an avergae day is totally the opposite to all other advice I have been given (which is fill it in as your worst day). Perhaps this is where I'm going wrong.

From reading everyone's posts it sounds like I'd only be entitled to the HMR, if that's the one that includes how far you can walk etc. However, I don't know if I would be entitled to it really. I mean there's days when I don't leave the house because I'm too fatigued and in pain, and like someone else on here (sorry can't remember who it was) I put I couldn't walk a step without pain and discomfort on the form, as I have that at rest. On the other hand I can walk small distances (depending on how I feel) and I only use my stick some of the time. I don't want to think I'm entitled to something if I'm not.

Hi redleaf, I didn't mention anything about an average day. I wrote examples of my worst days and better days. I wouldn't recommend writing only about your worst days.

It was me who wrote that I was in pain without talking a step. I hardly go out at all, I'm almost housebound, and if it wasn't for my car I wouldn't be able to go out anywhere. Obviously there are some days that are better than others - I think this is the case with any illness or condition.

The thing is to be honest, but also be honest with yourself (if that makes sense) just because you can just about struggle or just manage to do something it doesn't mean you don't need help. There are parts on the form where it asks you if you need help - even though you don't get help. I live on my own but times I find it extremely difficult. I have to take a phone with me to the bathroom when I take a shower in case I get into difficulties.

My nextdoor neighbour has a key to my house as does my sister who lives 40 mins away. I just have to remember always to take my key out of the lock,which one night (last September) I forgot and was very ill and collapsed. Following morning my sister rang and no answer but she knew something was wrong. She came over and couldn't get in. The police and ambulance were called, police rammed the door and I was unconscious (for around 13 hours) and ended up in intensive care and family were called as they didn't think I'd pull through!

jazabelle

TOBRUK wrote: »

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.

Wait, I think there is confusion here - I was agreeing with you! Have I missed something? Sorry if I made it seem like you needed to apolgise. It sounds like you did everthing right, but then I did similar and we both got turned down, so goodness knows!

TOBRUK

jazabelle, don't worry about confusion (I also have terrible brainfog) as perhaps I read your post wrong - I just wanted to make sure that you didn't right only about your worst days.

It really does sound to me that you should be receiving HRM but I can't say about care rate.

jazabelle

TOBRUK wrote: »

jazabelle, don't worry about confusion (I also have terrible brainfog) as perhaps I read your post wrong - I just wanted to make sure that you didn't right only about your worst days.

It really does sound to me that you should be receiving HRM but I can't say about care rate.

Ah, I see. Don't worry, brainfog is my best friend these days! I tried to put on each point, "On my good days I need this and this help," and then "On my bad days I need this additional help." So they can see the difference between the two.

TOBRUK

TOBRUK wrote: »

jazabelle, don't worry about confusion (I also have terrible brainfog) as perhaps I read your post wrong - I just wanted to make sure that you didn't right only about your worst days.

It really does sound to me that you should be receiving HRM but I can't say about care rate.

Sorry about spelling mistake right should read write!!:o