DLA Mobility rules for the blind are changing?

jetta_wales

I'm not sure if everyone already knows this or not but for those that don't, the rules that currently prohibit the blind from qualifying for DLA Mobility Higher Rate are changing and from April 2011 anybody registered as legaly blind will be entitled to the higher rate and thus also be eligable for a motability car if they want it.

I am registered blind (I have a condition called Achromatopsia or more simply known as day blindness) but because my condition also causes me pain when outside in sunlight I have decided to apply for my mobility to be reconcidered now since I no longer have access to a car as my partner is only 19 and the insurance is crippling and my parents are not so well these days.

I am hoping that since another qualifying factor under the current rules is to "suffer severe discomfort" coupled with the fact that I'll definatly get it next year anyway but really need it now, there might be a chance I'll get the higher rate. It's certainly worth a try anyway else I'm going to be stuck in doors a great deal this summer

Since my sister and I both share the same condition yet were never told that DLA existed untill I was 17 and she was 31 I can see this being like that in the way that they won't exactly go to great lengths to make people aware of the change, so please help spread the word so people who should have been entitled to this extra mobility support a long long time ago, don't have to go any longer without it.

TOBRUK

This is great news that these changes are taking place and could make a big difference (life changing) to people with sight problems. However, don't think that it will be easy when claiming for DLA, I'm a little worried where you say

I am hoping that since another qualifying factor under the current rules is to "suffer severe discomfort" coupled with the fact that I'll definatly get it next year anyway but really need it now, there might be a chance I'll get the higher rate. It's certainly worth a try anyway else I'm going to be stuck in doors a great deal this summer

I would hope you do, but DLA decisions can be really unfair and nothing is certain where applying is concerned. I'm not sure I've put this across very well but I'm sure someone else will be along with their wisdom soon! I wish you luck.

jetta_wales

the rule change will mean that being registered as legaly blind (which I am) will autamaticaly entitle the person to the mobility higher rate.

A lt of condition can be varying and can be concidered a judgment call as it were but when you're blind you get a form certified by a specialist that says either that you're partialy sighted or that that you're blind. Currently being blind means you're entitled to lower rate for having that cirtification but the new rules will change it to higher rate.

I'll try and find a link or something.

I know they like to reject people a lot first time but hopefully this will make that less likely for the blind with the mobility componant at least. You just keep going if they do anyway, I'm stuborn you've kinda got to be at times though really.

sunnyone

jetta_wales wrote: »

the rule change will mean that being registered as legaly blind (which I am) will autamaticaly entitle the person to the mobility higher rate.

A lt of condition can be varying and can be concidered a judgment call as it were but when you're blind you get a form certified by a specialist that says either that you're partialy sighted or that that you're blind. Currently being blind means you're entitled to lower rate for having that cirtification but the new rules will change it to higher rate.

I'll try and find a link or something.

I know they like to reject people a lot first time but hopefully this will make that less likely for the blind with the mobility componant at least. You just keep going if they do anyway, I'm stuborn you've kinda got to be at times though really.

When it was announced the goverment gave a figure of how many people would be helped and it was less that 20% of people who are currently registed blind (under 65 age group, over 65`s cant get mobility) and the full criteria hasnt actually been given yet so I wouldnt count on it happening, for you or anyone else until the new goverment is in.

Suffering severe discomfort in what way?

jetta_wales

I hadn't read that anywhere yet but I'll be keeping a look out for any more info as things pogress. Thanks for the extra info.

My condition is best described as only having night vision and to be in daylight for me is the as if a normal person were to wake in the night and someone turned the light on n their totaly dark bedroom. It hurts a lot and it's the white saturation of my rods in the retina (I have no cones) that blinds me. They're just not equiped to coup with high levels of light and dark glasses really don't do anywhere near enough to help.

It's a fairly rare condition.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

jetta_wales wrote: »

I'm not sure if everyone already knows this or not but for those that don't, the rules that currently prohibit the blind from qualifying for DLA Mobility Higher Rate are changing and from April 2011 anybody registered as legaly blind will be entitled to the higher rate and thus also be eligable for a motability car if they want it.

I am registered blind (I have a condition called Achromatopsia or more simply known as day blindness) but because my condition also causes me pain when outside in sunlight I have decided to apply for my mobility to be reconcidered now since I no longer have access to a car as my partner is only 19 and the insurance is crippling and my parents are not so well these days.

I am hoping that since another qualifying factor under the current rules is to "suffer severe discomfort" coupled with the fact that I'll definatly get it next year anyway but really need it now, there might be a chance I'll get the higher rate. It's certainly worth a try anyway else I'm going to be stuck in doors a great deal this summer

Since my sister and I both share the same condition yet were never told that DLA existed untill I was 17 and she was 31 I can see this being like that in the way that they won't exactly go to great lengths to make people aware of the change, so please help spread the word so people who should have been entitled to this extra mobility support a long long time ago, don't have to go any longer without it.

My sons friend has glacoma (sp) and he qualifies for hight rate care component and hight rate for getting around which they have exchanged for a motability car.

You must either appeal a decision or reaply.

jetta_wales

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

My sons friend has glacoma (sp) and he qualifies for hight rate care component and hight rate for getting around which they have exchanged for a motability car.

You must either appeal a decision or reaply.

Good on him, I'm certainly prepared for a let down especialy as they do like to reject people at least once but I'll keep going and not give up.

It's all the more important to try now I think because if the conservatives get in and decide they don't want to go ahead with the current reform plans then I might never get it but if i do get it now then that's it my condition is static so I don't get reviews.

Fingers crossed anyway, you can but try.

I'm currently on middle rate care and lower rate mobility, it's only the mobility that I've asked to be looked at again though i know they can re-look at the whole claim but I'll take that risk as my condition is pretty cut and dry i have no cones, I've just never had any. And I am registered as legaly blind.

Life's pretty rubbish at the moment and I'm very anxious about the coming summer months and longer days but this is one of the things I'm doing to try and make things better and I think I'd definatly feel worse if I was doing nothing.

jetta_wales

Unfortunatly i can't post the link I'm too new a member to do that but it was a page on dissabled-world.co.uk

buzzyy

i receive dla lower rate care and mobility,i had to renew my claim,but im on the level i should be on,specialist in the hosi said theres nothing they can do,i have a cattarract since birth,also a under developed retina,i am half blind,im in the motion of trying to do that,,to get free bus pass etc,it would be great to get the higher level,do you think i would get it without this other certificate,my dla was 4 life,couple o years ago it was changed to indefinatly,ta for the info something to look forward to maybe,any other ideas of what i could do would be great

Indie_Kid

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

My sons friend has glacoma (sp) and he qualifies for hight rate care component and hight rate for getting around which they have exchanged for a motability car.

You must either appeal a decision or reaply.

He's obviously got other problems then - you can't claim HRM on the basis that you have glaucoma. It's also very unlikely that he'd get HRC on the basis too.

ojbodge

Hi Jetta,
thanks for this info - more importantly thanks for letting me know about your condition! Our 2.5 year old daughter has also been diagnosed with Achromatopsia (although her consultant called it Rod Monochromatism - it took me ages to work out these were the same thing!). We've yet to meet anyone else with the same condition, so I hope you don't mind me contacting you. We were advised to apply for DLA a while ago but it was declined as apparantly she needs no extra care than any other child her age! We didn't appeal as we were right in the middle of moving house at the time, but reading this makes me think that perhaps we shold take another look. She's not yet registered as partially sighted - I'm trying to get this done, but help from hospitals/ consultants etc as to wether her sight is poor enough is not overly forthcoming right now!
If you don't mind me picking you brains about the whole Achromatopsia thing then send me a message and I'll be in touch - if not I'll leave you in peace!
thanks