Budget - tougher for DLA claimants

easy

sh1305 wrote: »

DLA isn't awarded because of expenses due to disability. Well, you can't ask for a certain rate based on needing to spend x amount on disability related things.

But that is the rationale behind the benefit. You are assessed on what you can/can't do for yourself (or whether you can get about), and awarded a higher rate if you can do less to care for yourself, because you need to spend more on finding ways around the problem.

For example, I can't chop/peel vegetables, because my hands are poorly formed. So I buy pre-prepared veg in the supermarket, or pay my cleaning lady an extra half-hour to do some veg prep for me. My care component goes towards that cost.

You can't "ask" for a certain rate based on needing to spend x on disability related things, but the rate you are awarded is worked out by judging your level of ability.

kah22

This is what the Directgov Website says about the care component of the DLA:

You may be able to get Disability Living Allowance if you are under 65 and have needed supervision or help with personal care. You may also be able to claim if you have had walking difficulties because of a physical or mental disability. This must have lasted for three months and you are likely to need this help or have these difficulties for at least another six months.

If you have care needs

To get the care component of Disability Living Allowance, your disability must be severe enough for you to either:

• need help with things such as washing, dressing, eating, getting to and using the toilet, or communicating your needs
• need supervision to avoid you putting yourself or others in substantial danger
• need someone with you when you are on dialysis
• be unable to prepare a cooked main meal for yourself (if you had the ingredients), if you are aged 16 or over

There's lots of useful information there

Indie_Kid

easy wrote: »

But that is the rationale behind the benefit. You are assessed on what you can/can't do for yourself (or whether you can get about), and awarded a higher rate if you can do less to care for yourself, because you need to spend more on finding ways around the problem.

Bit of an assumption though that those of us who supposedly have less need don't need expensive equipment.

LindsayO

sh1305 wrote: »

Bit of an assumption though that those of us who supposedly have less need don't need expensive equipment.

oh I agree, it isn't all alligned, some people may spend more or disability related equipment and supplies and get less in DLA, than people who spend less.

Trialia

easy wrote: »

But that is the rationale behind the benefit. You are assessed on what you can/can't do for yourself (or whether you can get about), and awarded a higher rate if you can do less to care for yourself, because you need to spend more on finding ways around the problem.

For example, I can't chop/peel vegetables, because my hands are poorly formed. So I buy pre-prepared veg in the supermarket, or pay my cleaning lady an extra half-hour to do some veg prep for me. My care component goes towards that cost.

You can't "ask" for a certain rate based on needing to spend x on disability related things, but the rate you are awarded is worked out by judging your level of ability.

Which is why that flippant comment earlier in the thread about takeaways completely missed the point: that some days, some of us can't concentrate enough to even make a sandwich, and when you live alone and have no carer, sometimes you have no other option.

I definitely agree with you about the veg example. I have to buy a lot of ready meals because my cognitive processing skills are impaired to the point where I can't sequence thought well enough to cook proper food safely for myself, and ready meals are more expensive than ingredients to make a proper one, unfortunately.

I'm on LRC, but most of my mobility component actually goes towards care rather than mobility - I get HRM because every movement causes me pain all over my body, but I couldn't go through the appeal to get MRC, which is what every non-DWP/ATOS health professional has said I ought to be entitled to receive given my general state.

candykisses

Does DLA continue after age 65?

My mum is 64 on middle rate care indfinete for severe mental health issues, she will be 65 in January - what happens then?

Thank you

Trialia

candykisses wrote: »

Does DLA continue after age 65?

My mum is 64 on middle rate care indfinete for severe mental health issues, she will be 65 in January - what happens then?

Thank you

Under the current rules, if you're already in receipt of it, yes. It's just new applications that can't be made after 65.

sox8369

Just going back to this 'of working age thing' - i am not sure how it will be dealt with because the DLA age for an adult claim in 16 - however from this years secondary school intake it is now compulsory for all kids to stay in education until they are 18 (either A Levels, BTec, vocational college course, apprenticship etc) - so therefore they will not be of 'workable' age until 18.

It will be interesting to see how that is dealt with.

government_slave

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I am also worried whether they will fully understand the implications of having autism especially as it is an invisable disability.

My sons autism isnt always invisible, not when you have a 22 yr old kicking, screaming, swearing and spitting in my face in public places. He also has facial expressions and flaps his arms constantly and talks to himself all the time unfortunately it the same words over and over again.

I have also sat here reading and wondered if the government have really thought through the implictions of what they are considering.
If for example they reduce a persons DLA so they can no longer have the care componant money for respite and reduce the motability side so they can no longer have a car what effect that would have on the persons carer. What i mean is that the carer may no longer be able to cope without their respite breaks so in effect the cared for what have to be put in a residencial care home so costing the government more money. Just a thought.

[Deleted User]

sox8369 wrote: »

Just going back to this 'of working age thing' - i am not sure how it will be dealt with because the DLA age for an adult claim in 16 - however from this years secondary school intake it is now compulsory for all kids to stay in education until they are 18 (either A Levels, BTec, vocational college course, apprenticship etc) - so therefore they will not be of 'workable' age until 18.

It will be interesting to see how that is dealt with.

I dont know where people keep getting this 'working age' assumption from. It says that nowhere within the budget and all Government sites say 'all new and exisiting claimants'.