DLA Mobility rules for the blind are changing?

TheBottomLine_2

My CVI form says I have 'total loss of visual field'. Does anyone think that I might qualify for the higher rate? It would improve my quality of life immensely if I had access to a car, even though it would be someone else who drove it.

jonnypb

It's about time the laws changed for people who are severely visually impaired. My wife suffers from leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in both eyes so has next to none vision. She receives middle rate care and lower rate mobility.

I find it strange that people who are severely visually impaired can't claim the higher rate mobility until the law changes next year. Although this is a labour scheme and I know the conservatives were against it so if they get in could they pull the plug?

I've seen countless people claim the higher rate mobility who seem fine. An example was of a couple (early 50's) who were test driving a car and they were climbing in and out of cars no problem and walked round a large forecourt looking at different cars. The woman had a very slight limp but didn't use any walking aids and test drove a manual car. When they came in the showroom I heard her saying that she gets the higher rate mobility and therefore can claim for a motability car. Obviously I don't know the full background but from what I saw she could get round fine and only suffered a slight limp. I spoke to a sales guy as we were looking into a motability car (didn't realise you needed the higher rate at that point) and he said he can't believe some of the people who get motabiliy car as they seem fine. This annoys me as my wife struggles to get out and about without someone driving her or walking with her if it's in unfamiliar surroundings.

I was thinking of getting a reassessment as it's been 7 years since the last one. Do you think it's worth it to see if she can get the higher rate mobility? (I have heard of 2 people who get the higher rate who also have the same condition)

Thanks

shegirl

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.

I have to say I hope it isn't an automatic entitlement.My mother is registered blind which I think is an absolute joke,she's lived with sight problems since birth and gets around absolutely fine with no problems.She lied to get middle rate care on the care component of DLA too (in my mind she shouldn't even get low rate care).So if this is fact then she'll be getting money she truely does not deserve and I'd imagine there are others like her out there.She's made a little career out of being 'blind' in one eye (had eye op too to improve sight in other eye but low and behold does anybody do anything?do they hell!) plays on it all the time and scams what she can get despite having no need for it!

For those who genuinly do have problems then fine but I don't think it should all be automatic based on your condition etc should be the same as anything else,individual circumstances apply rather than a blanket coverage

TheBottomLine_2

Well shegirl, you'll be delighted to hear that it is not automatic and those of us who do qualify will have to apply for it. Imagine how long it will take considering how many new applications there will be come April 1st 2011! Still, we waited this long.

shegirl

TheBottomLine wrote: »

Well shegirl, you'll be delighted to hear that it is not automatic and those of us who do qualify will have to apply for it. Imagine how long it will take considering how many new applications there will be come April 1st 2011! Still, we waited this long.

Well I hope that given that it's new rules that they've made that those of you who do qualify won't have to wait too long for it!Hopefully they'll be prepared for all the applications.It'll be done though which is the main thing

What I meant though is that I hope that it's based on individual circumstance rather than purely being based on being registered blind (hope you understand why)

sunnyone

TheBottomLine wrote: »

Well shegirl, you'll be delighted to hear that it is not automatic and those of us who do qualify will have to apply for it. Imagine how long it will take considering how many new applications there will be come April 1st 2011! Still, we waited this long.

The difinitive descriptors havnt been given out yet so dont count your chickens because from the figures given when it was anounced a very, very few people who are registed blind will get it if the torys dont backpeddel it.

jonnypb

sunnyone wrote: »

very, very few people who are registed blind will get it if the torys dont backpeddel it.

this is a labour government plan and the torys were against it due to the funding. it's likely that the torys will get in come may so it will be interesting to see what happens regarding the dla for blind people. will they honour it? hope so.

TheBottomLine_2

shegirl wrote: »

Well I hope that given that it's new rules that they've made that those of you who do qualify won't have to wait too long for it!Hopefully they'll be prepared for all the applications.It'll be done though which is the main thing

What I meant though is that I hope that it's based on individual circumstance rather than purely being based on being registered blind (hope you understand why)

I do understand. Sorry if my post seemed rude but that wasn't the intention.

TheBottomLine_2

I thought I'd resurrect this old beast with a link...

RNIB News

My CVI says I have a total loss of visual field and my acuity is 6/120 which is the same as 3/60. Looks like I do qualify. I recently asked the DLA folks to look at my claim again regarding other mobility issues but at least I can claim next year for my VI. I might have to take another eye test but I've done so many I can do them with my eyes closed (blind humour there).

Skirge

After a google search I came across THIS discussion.....

I myself and registered blind and suffer from stargardt's, I am 37 but was diagnosed at 18. I lead to believe this was a very young age for stargardt's disease.
My vision is very poor I am at the counting fingers stage..
"can you read any of the letters on the board" ---Me "what board?"

My wife The DLA today and was told that they are now busy ringing everyone who is registered as blind and you will be asked a series of questions over the phone.
They are currently upto "C".. this will take ages and my surname begins with "Y".


I am shocked this is how they are doing it and we are not allowed to apply via a form

FROM RNIB site

The requirements for visual acuity and visual field

Visual acuity is the measurement of your central vision and how well you can see detail. It is assessed using an eye test chart called the Snellen scale. Your visual field is what you can see around you; this is also called your peripheral vision.
If your visual acuity is:
less than 3/60, meaning you only can read the top line of an eye test chart from 3 metres away, you will qualify for the higher rate
more than 3/60 but less than 6/60, meaning you can only read the top line of the eye test chart from 6 metres away, your visual field will need to be considered as well.
If your visual acuity falls into the second category, then you will only qualify if you also have both:
a complete loss of your peripheral vision
and severely restricted central vision ("tunnel vision"), meaning no more than 10 degrees in diameter.
If your visual acuity is better than 6/60 you will not qualify, for example if your acuity is 6/36 or 6/18.
What if my sight cannot be measured?
If your sight is too poor to be measured in this way, for example if you can only count fingers or you only have light and dark perception, you will qualify.

What do I need to do to claim?

If you already receive the lower rate mobility component of DLA, you don't need to do anything now. The Pensions, Disability and Carers Service will be calling everyone who currently claims on the basis of sight loss to find out if they are entitled to an increase. Calls will take place from late November 2010 until March 2011.
You can prepare for this call by finding your certificate of visual impairment (CVI or BD8, or BP1 in Scotland), or a consultant's report noting your visual acuity and visual field, and having it ready to hand. This will help speed up your claim. Ask your hospital ophthalmologist for a copy if you do not have one, or call us for advice to help you obtain it.
If you feel that your eyesight has deteriorated since you were certified, which would mean that your CVI or BD8 (or BP1 in Scotland) does not accurately reflect your current level of sight loss, then make sure that you mention it during the telephone call that you receive from the Pensions, Disability and Carers Service. They will make arrangements for you to have your visual acuity and visual field retested to help them decide if you do qualify for the higher rate mobility component.