Can DLA be claimed for stress?

liam9

DEBTMONKEY1A wrote: »

'Was only a matter of time.' Very helpfull DX2. Please explain?

I was just asking for opinions that was all....DX2 if you are referring to previous posts asking for help re: my G/F then ulness you have had to deal with someone close to you having a psychotic episode & being sectioned then please stop posting crap one-liners!

To me and many more it seems you are looking for an EXCUSE not to work and would ues any EXCUSE not to, everyone gets stressed just deal with it and get on with things!!!!!

TOBRUK

DEBTMONKEY1A wrote: »

Hi,

I was working up until November last year (but from April-November I was claiming SSP for stress) but left in November as my employer would not arrange flexible working for me. I look after my partner who has mental health issues (she receives DLA mid care low mobility).

Last time I went to the Docs was in October to review my stress/issue a sick note for the SSP. I have not been back since.

My partner is working part time & gets some WTC & I get carers allowence as well.

For the last 6 months or so my stress levels have been high due to looking after my partner & I'm also moderately depressed as well (although I have not seen the GP about this). My confidence is very low at the moment & until my partner is 100% again (ie no episodes for at least a year & is off meds) I think I'll stay like this. I was referred for counselling in December for the stress by the Doctor to a group called 'support to recovery' & also through the carers support service.

Now before anyone 'shoots me down' I just want to know if I'm eligable & if it's worth applying. I DO NOT want to spend the rest of my life on benefits but feel that DLA would certainly lift the burden financially.

I've not prepared a 'cooked meal' for AGES...I need to look after G/F to so I'm afraid it's been ready meals, beans on toast etc...

Does anyone have any ideas?

Hi DEBTMONKEY, I'm not sure if I have understood this correctly so please forgive me if I get it wrong.

You were off work for stress between April to November, went to GP in October to get final sick note? Were you receiving IB or IS after you left work in November?

You say you left work to care for your partner? She receives MID CARE RATE DLA so does she or you receive CA?

my partner is 100% again (ie no episodes for at least a year & is off meds)

Did you let DLA know of the change in your partner's condition? If she has been fine for a whole year and not taking any meds I doubt whether she would still be getting MCR.

feel that DLA would certainly lift the burden financially.

As I understand it may help you financially, I don't think that it is a reason for claiming! However if you are ill, DLA is based on how your illness/condition affects you not on a diagnosis. If you need care or have mobility issues then yes why not apply. I think you should go and see a GP to update him/her on your condition anyway and perhaps get treatment to see if your condition improves.

I read somewhere that you would automatically get the lower rate if you fail the 'cooking test'...well just skipping through that I've not prepared a 'cooked meal' for AGES...I need to look after G/F to so I'm afraid it's been ready meals, beans on toast e

Nothing is automatic where DLA is concerned. The problem here is that the reason you haven't cooked a meal for ages is because you are too busy caring for your G/F - not that you are unable to cook! Another problem is that you have said that your girlfriend is 100% better (for a year) and not taking meds, therefore she doesn't need care, so why can't she make meals??

Have I misunderstood?

healy

DEBTMONKEY1A wrote: »

Hi,

I was working up until November last year (but from April-November I was claiming SSP for stress) but left in November as my employer would not arrange flexible working for me. I look after my partner who has mental health issues (she receives DLA mid care low mobility).

Last time I went to the Docs was in October to review my stress/issue a sick note for the SSP. I have not been back since.

My partner is working part time & gets some WTC & I get carers allowence as well.

For the last 6 months or so my stress levels have been high due to looking after my partner & I'm also moderately depressed as well (although I have not seen the GP about this). My confidence is very low at the moment & until my partner is 100% again (ie no episodes for at least a year & is off meds) I think I'll stay like this. I was referred for counselling in December for the stress by the Doctor to a group called 'support to recovery' & also through the carers support service.

Now before anyone 'shoots me down' I just want to know if I'm eligable & if it's worth applying. I DO NOT want to spend the rest of my life on benefits but feel that DLA would certainly lift the burden financially.

I read somewhere that you would automatically get the lower rate if you fail the 'cooking test'...well just skipping through that I've not prepared a 'cooked meal' for AGES...I need to look after G/F to so I'm afraid it's been ready meals, beans on toast etc...

Does anyone have any ideas?

As said DLA is based on care and mobility needs and not the name of the illness/disability. If you think you have these needs you could try to apply but from what you have said I would think it is unlikely you would be successful.

Loopy_Girl

But you've been saying that since August at least she has been making a big improvement....change in meds and back at work

She certainly doesn't seem as dependant on you as she used to be and is taking life by the horns and getting on with it...maybe you should follow her lead?

You can't live life thinking something may or may not happen...until it does then you just get on with things and be grateful that today is a no drama day.

Personally I think being in the house all the time is making things worse and as someone asked, what do you do when she is at work? Why don't you look for a small part time job too?

And in answer to the question I would doubt very much that DLA could be awarded for stress...particularly as it can be self alleviated

DX2

liam9 wrote: »

To me and many more it seems you are looking for an EXCUSE not to work and would ues any EXCUSE not to, everyone gets stressed just deal with it and get on with things!!!!!

:rotfl:I can't believe you typed that shoite!

DaisyFlower

If your partner works then why did you have to give up work? You obviously dont need to be home 24 hours a day.

Your previous posts say the episode was a year ago and that she is far better so surely your stress is reduced now that she/he is on the mend?

If you want to reduce your financial burden, rather than looking at benefits you could look for work to match the hours your partner works so that you dont need to be caring or you could scrap the sky/virgin that you may £50 a month for.

I found the comment re the cooking hilarious, your other posts say you gave up work to cook for your partner :rotfl:

DEBTMONKEY1A

At the moment Liam9 I'm still caring for G/F. Yes she does work BUT under strict supervision...her employers have been great. I'm looking after her to make sure things are not too stressfull, watching for any signs of relapse, etc....so yes I COULD work but then I would not be caring for her....yes the signs are good for her but I still do need to look after her/make sure all is well. Liam9....if you'd ever watched someone close to you go psychotic then you would not make comments like 'everyone gets stressed just deal with it & get on with things'....in fact when I was working last year it made her worse as she had no-one to talk to (her family are abroad & she has no friends in this area).

I just knew I'd get comments like yours & Dx2's....I/we can survive financially (allbeit that things are a bit tight) but I just thought if I was eligable it'd be worth applying...that's all. Chill out a bit!

Loopy_Girl

TOBRUK wrote: »

Have I misunderstood?

I think you have a wee bit...I think he is intimating that the stress will be lifted ONCE she is better for a year and off meds

But there have been improvements since last August so I am confused as she is apparantly needing less care than ever (jeez she's nort even in the house sometimes as she is working)

OP, when your g/f is at work why don't you batch cook meals and freeze then they can easily be heated up. No need for ready meals - that is probably where all your money is going

DEBTMONKEY1A

Thanks healy....thats the kind of good non-judgmental advice that is OF USE. Will follow your advice. Thanks!

SuziQ

I really don't think there is much chance of you getting DLA in your situation,as your care needs don't seem to be high enough. Why not see a benefits rights advisor/visit the CAB to see what they think? I'm reluctant to tell you to just go ahead and apply as the system is slow enough without telling everyone to claim 'just in case.' If the CAB thinks you have a chance then they can help you complete the forms to maximise your chance of being granted DLA. Some of your stress is no doubt caused by your financial difficulties-it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation but maybe you would be less stresse if you were working,even p/t? I have had jobs that have got me away from problems at home and have really enhanced my life. Obviously not all work is like that but the financial improvement may be enough to negate any of the negative aspects of the job-and lets face it, a lot of people hate their jobs and many others hate aspects of their jobs that's just life.