can my wife claim anything for her seizures that she has

jamesey

hello my wife got diagnosed with epilepsy about 6 years ago , she has tonic colonic seizures , there nocturnal nights seizures in her sleep only , they are really violent and she will always wee herself and bite her tounge to bleeding point , she usually cant eat anything for 2 weeks after properly

i work 2 nights a week and she has to looked after at night so she sleeps at her mums .and has reguarly had seizures there somtime 2 in one night

we have a son aged 5 who understand what its all about and can use the phone incase of an emergency , she had to pack in her nursing job as it made the seizures worse and shes started her own ironing/cleaning buisness up , if she over does her job she will have a fit usually

she is on regular medication form her epilepsy doctor at the hospital where she makes regular visits but between you and me the tablets they have tried her on dont seem to make any difference
i wondered if we can claim for any disability living allowance or carer allowance , ps we have now got another child on the way that is due in may , so fingers crossed she is ok and doesnt hurt herself

wolfehouse

she can claim for dla - certainly the care component (need to require help about 20 mins spread throught the time per day either during night or day for low rate as i understand but this would include making sure she's safe aqnd changing bedding etc.)

if she is awarded the care component then someone can apply for carers allowance after that but be aware that if she gets income support with a disability component the carers allowance will reduce the amount she gets

if she has seizures during the day so she would require supervision while out she might get low rate mobility but this does not seem to be the case.

however she can claim a free bus pass (as she would not be allowed a drivers license) ask the social work department for the form.

best wishes that all goes well for her birthing.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello Jamesy,

Contact your local Welfare Rights office, as the DLA forms can be quite daunting.
They can be contacted through your county council. Benefits are their area of speciality.
You will find lots if information on the internet, but this is no replacement for experience, and this can make all the difference to your claim.

If I remember correctly, Woodbine will have good advice where epilepsy is concerned.

Good luck with your claim

Munchie

Indie_Kid

wolfehouse wrote: »

shif she is awarded the care component then someone can apply for carers allowance after that but be aware that if she gets income support with a disability component the carers allowance will reduce the amount she gets

This is incorrect:
She has to be on mid or high rate care for someone to claim carers. The only way she can get the severe disability premium in benefits (the one you lose if someone claims carers) is if she's classed as living alone.

DX2

wolfehouse wrote: »

if she is awarded the care component then someone can apply for carers allowance

If she is awarded Middle/High rate care then someone may apply for CA providing of course they care for her at least 35 hours per week. If you earn more than £95 pw you will not be entitled to claim for CA.

jamesey

wolfehouse wrote: »

she can claim for dla - certainly the care component (need to require help about 20 mins spread throught the time per day either during night or day for low rate as i understand but this would include making sure she's safe aqnd changing bedding etc.)

if she is awarded the care component then someone can apply for carers allowance after that but be aware that if she gets income support with a disability component the carers allowance will reduce the amount she gets

if she has seizures during the day so she would require supervision while out she might get low rate mobility but this does not seem to be the case.

however she can claim a free bus pass (as she would not be allowed a drivers license) ask the social work department for the form.

best wishes that all goes well for her birthing.

thanks , she only has the seizures at night never in the day at all , its always the case

jamesey

we will be ringing up first thing on monday morning , also im thinking of taking another job lower paid but no nights to do its just 7am till 3pm , for less money i just need to know if we can cope with the loss of what i get now , but really it would be great to get off the night shifts and i wouldnt be so worried about my wife.:rolleyes:

shegar

jamesey wrote: »

hello my wife got diagnosed with epilepsy about 6 years ago , she has tonic colonic seizures , there nocturnal nights seizures in her sleep only , they are really violent and she will always wee herself and bite her tounge to bleeding point , she usually cant eat anything for 2 weeks after properly

i work 2 nights a week and she has to looked after at night so she sleeps at her mums .and has reguarly had seizures there somtime 2 in one night

we have a son aged 5 who understand what its all about and can use the phone incase of an emergency , she had to pack in her nursing job as it made the seizures worse and shes started her own ironing/cleaning buisness up , if she over does her job she will have a fit usually

she is on regular medication form her epilepsy doctor at the hospital where she makes regular visits but between you and me the tablets they have tried her on dont seem to make any difference
i wondered if we can claim for any disability living allowance or carer allowance , ps we have now got another child on the way that is due in may , so fingers crossed she is ok and doesnt hurt herself

Hi to you, im sorry that your wife as tonic clonic seizures, you say they only happen at night, well my husband had a massive stroke at 49 yrs old nearly 2 year ago , and only 8 months ago he started to have tonic clonic seizures too, but he do also have these terrible long seizures during the day and night without any warning ,the one good thing with your wife is she have her seizures whilst asleep meaning that she cant harm herself as much as some one having one while say standing or in a dangerous place.

His doctor told me that the only place he can be left on his own is on the sofa , so im with him 24/7. I really feel for you and its such a worry with your wife carrying a second child, I do wish you all the best.

I suggest you get DLA forms and get help professional help with filling them in, , hopefully she will get care award for this.

suelees1

DLA forms are a nightmare but IMO if her GP or her specialist will give your wife a letter confirming she has frequent uncontrollable seizures WITHOUT WARNING the decision maker should be able to award it without having to go through the rigmarole with appeals. I would imagine they'll be looking at middle rate care component if she doesn't have care needs during the day.

[Deleted User]

ok sorry to hear about your wife,its more than likely that she will qualify for dla,probably middle rate care as she only needs help at night(doesnt have to be getting the help just need it),and probably lower rate mobility(but as she only has nocturnal seizures that not a definite),please get help with the forms from welfare rights or cab,it might even be worth paying the £20 to join benefits and work(online)they are a mine of information(even though i have my doubts about them atm).
Might also be worth signing upto NSE which is free,they have a great online forum plus lots of info and a tele helpline


http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/Homepage

jamesey

thanks for all your comments , ive now filled the forms in and sent them off , fingers crossed