Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

de1amo

İt will invaribly come to the same conclusion about me---i just hope i am better by 2013 but unless they come up for a cure for a major mental illness i sense i will be stressed by more forms and medicals that cannot come to a different conclusion that has be made for many years--its a political manoeveur that just wastes money and stresses people like me

daska

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

But that's exactly what I did!

I took early retirement from teaching, took a few months off to recover from the depression (and the hysterectomy) then went to work in a call centre, then worked for a ferry company and eventually back into an earlier career as a Careers Adviser.

I certainly wouldn't have remained out of work all those years and would be working now except for the need to look after my husband.

( I agree that I was fortunate to be able to change the cause of the most severe aspect of my depression , although I've been on and off anti depressants since then and I'm currently back on them now.)

If you had been unable to work due to depression but work hadn't been the most severe aspect what would have happened. The logical assumption is that the depression would have continued and made it impossible to go back to work.

Using your argument - wouldn't that have been to avoid taking responsibility?

nogginthenog

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Of course things don't work out well for everyone and many people are far worst than I ever was. However, I feel that it's a positive thing for people to know that there are other ways forward compared to giving up and living a life on benefits.

Whilst i agree with you in part,esp that being positive tends to be a good trait,and also that people should be made aware of their options.
No one's persons experience should be used as a benchmark to judge others.
Conversely is not good if people dont or can't accept their own condition As said before being positive can be a good trait, but it has to be used and chanelled in the right direction.

Dray_2

sh1305 wrote: »

The financial help someone needs is irrelevant. Ideally, I need a piece of equipment that is going to cost £2k. I won't get the higher rate of care because I need that piece of equipment.

Well ah. Concede that. Likewise here. Even higher rate mobility wouldn't pay for what I need, storage, security, charging point and power.

On the plus side, you can get disability aids minus VAT. I got 17.5% off my wheelchair and wobbling stick - at source too, no messing about with the taxman directly. Next year, I'll get 20% off, and £400 off £2k isn't to be sneezed at.....:D

Indie_Kid

The 2k is without VAT.

Katilea

What happens if person too ill to travel?

I have progressive neurological condition and can only manage short local journeys now, at the rate its been progressing I cant see how I would be fit enough to get to Blackpool (where DLA is I think) to undergo a medical.

In 7 years I have already lost mobility and speech and some internal organs/systems are affected. I am also deaf which I was since age 16 but I used to work full time etc when I was only deaf and didn't claim DLA then. I'm now 41, the neurological condition began in my early 30's.

Its to hope an appointment is longer than 5 mins as I use a communication aid so unless they send me the questions beforehand so I can program it with full answers I'm not going to be able to give good complete answers in a limited time, especially if they have to fit in a physical examination as well!

Will we be able to request home visits? I might even be in a home by then anyway if I am still here! .. so probably worrying about nothing.

I was also awarded my DLA indefinitely at this last review this April, after sending them comprehensive medical details from neurologists and copy of my assessment for communication aid etc.

Kati

de1amo

Kati my thoughts go out to you. it angers me when people lump all claimants as scroungers when i hear about your plight--im sure GPs know who should and shouldnt be tested under these measures--ask them to do the initial 'shift'

Dray_2

sh1305 wrote: »

The 2k is without VAT.

Ouch. Most of my disabled mates have paid themselves. Combo of yet another assessment (that word again), social services this time, long waiting times, and.... I'm getting off-topic here.

Indie_Kid

Katilea wrote: »

What happens if person too ill to travel?

Currently, the medicals are done at home.

Dray_2

Kati - Yes, that hasn't changed. You will still be able to request a home visit. You will still be entitled to have someone there to be with you, advice centre or otherwise. And they have to arrange the home visit for when that advisor is available to be with you.

I'll keep saying this - it is not a Medical Assessment. It's a 'needs' check. I know it's a fine line for us.