Reduced from high care rate to middle

clairev

My 24 year old daughter has right sided weakness due to removal of a brain tumour 18 months ago. She has improved since leaving hospital in that she can now walk with aid - she couldn't even sit up in bed without assitance when she first claimed DLA. Her memory and concentration however have worsened following six weeks of radiotherapy to the brain followed by six months of chemo.

We have just done her application for her DLA and it has come back as being reduced from the higher rate care component to the middle rate.

Obviously she has improved greatly in the last 18 months but she still is unable to walk on her own and there are lots of things she is unable to do herself for which she relies on me and her dad.

We are not sure whether to appeal or not. If anyone out there could advise us on what level of disability usually warrants the higher care rate it would give us an indication on whether or not she has been assessed fairly. Thank you in advance

Indie_Kid

To get higher rate care, your daughter would need for most of the day and some at night. Or vice versa.

geoff11

you can appeal of course but be aware they can remove the care component completly on review, i would get an advisor on board if you appeal such as cab or dial, at the end of the day it could end up at a tribunal so use an advisor if you choose to appeal the decision.

clairev

Thank you Geoff

She does really need someone with her all the time but she is fiercely independent and often sleeps at home on her own although she has had to call me out in middle of night when she has fallen in the bathroom or on occasion stuck in wrong position in bed and cant get up! Probably better leave it as we did answer the questions completely honestly so trust that they have made the right decision.

geoff11

clairev wrote: »

Thank you Geoff

She does really need someone with her all the time but she is fiercely independent and often sleeps at home on her own although she has had to call me out in middle of night when she has fallen in the bathroom or on occasion stuck in wrong position in bed and cant get up! Probably better leave it as we did answer the questions completely honestly so trust that they have made the right decision.

yeah its a hard one as i say they can remove it completly on review as with all reviews.

krisskross

She sounds a really brave lass and one to be proud of. I hope her condition continues to improve.

Our 22 year old granddaughter has recently been diagnosed as having had a stroke. She is having lots of investigations as it is thought she has major blood vessel or heart problems causing the stroke.

It is such a worry isn't it?

kingfisherblue

High rate care is substantial help both day and night. During the night, this means either once for at least twenty minutes, or several times a night. This should be at least five nights a week.

I can't remember where I read that, but it was a definition from a link on MSE in the last few months. Hope this helps.

colin13

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/dmakers/default.asp

this si a guide which may help u

welshmoneylover

I admire her for keeping her independence in such difficult circumstances.

Best wishes to you both, it's great she had such a caring parent :beer:

clairev

KrissKross - yes it is an enormous worry. We get through it by realising there are a lot of people much worse off. We have been lucky enough to have 24 happy years with Becky so far and a lot of parents don't have that. We were originally told average life expectancy is just 18 months after diagnosis but no one mentioned the fact there are, albeit a very few, survivors out there that are still going after 15 years and now looking likely for it never to return. If anyone's going to be in that 1% it will be Becky through sheer stubborness lol! x

clairev

thank you to all who replied. We are now happy that it is the correct decision looking at the guidelines - link kindly posted on her for me by colin13.