Low Rate Mobility to Higher Rate - Not Sure What To Do.

atherlon

TheBottomLine wrote: »

Well I'm grumpy. I got my letter awarding me the lower rate of mobility, this is because I can walk "Up to 50 metres. Slowly". I am very surprised that I don't qualify for the higher rate because there are days when I cannot walk at all! Mostly I can walk less than that anyway, I don't know why I have to tell them what I'm capable of walking when those best days are probably about 2 per month anyway.

So does the decision sound fair to everyone or is it worth my appealing?

this is because , like most people , you put on the forms what a "normal" day is for you . dla expect you to tell them what its like on your worst days :idea:

Indie_Kid

atherlon wrote: »

this is because , like most people , you put on the forms what a "normal" day is for you . dla expect you to tell them what its like on your worst days :idea:

This is fraud! You do it on a normal day.

TheBottomLine_2

I've written out a letter with lots of detail about good/bad/average days, and have been very specific about the pain. Basically I put that the distance I can walk without pain is 0 metres, and then some details about how far I can walk with pain until the pain is unbearable. On a bad day I cannot walk at all but on a good day I can go over 50 metres until the pain is too much, average day is 30-40 metres.

If I don't qualify then fair enough but I reckon my limited mobility would get me the higher rate.

TheBottomLine_2

atherlon wrote: »

this is because , like most people , you put on the forms what a "normal" day is for you . dla expect you to tell them what its like on your worst days :idea:

I actually told the lady what I can do on my best day, because she asked what I was capable of and there were no questions about pain so I didn't think to mention it. What I told her was true but I now know I should have also told her about my bad days and what an average day is.

I might even be capable of walking over 100 metres on a good day with some industrial strength painkillers!

atherlon

sh1305 wrote: »

This is fraud! You do it on a normal day.

how can telling them what your worst days are like be fraud

Indie_Kid

atherlon wrote: »

how can telling them what your worst days are like be fraud

You're saying do the forms on your worst day - ie, tell them you need more help than you really do.

TheBottomLine - have you got any letters from your GP or specialist that state you can only walk so far before you're in pain?

TheBottomLine_2

No, nothing like that. I'll put his details in the letter but they already have them. He can confirm I have osteoarthritis and that I have painkillers but he doesn't know anything about my walking abilities. I'd rather just have a medical exam so they can see for sure what I can and cannot do. Thanks for your help though, much appreciated.

Indie_Kid

Good luck.

Don't want to scare you; but you do also risk losing the care component you have. Incidentally, have your care needs changed now?

formaldehyde_perfume

TheBottomLine wrote: »

For anyone interested I got the results of the x-ray and as suspected it is osteoarthritis. This is bad news for me because if I'll need sticks or wheels to get around then I don't know how I'll use my long cane. Life sucks again, I'd stick my head in the oven but I only have a microwave...

I've been a bit down lately and this made me smile exactly like this ---> So I thought i'd share that with you, in the hope that it might make you feel better to know that you've helped someone else.

leo2moss

TheBottomLine wrote: »

During a recent x-ray appointment I was asked if I get mobility for my arthritis. I do not, I get lower rate because I am blind and I sent a renewal form off about three weeks ago saying nothing has changed. If I now want to make a claim for the higher rate of mobility what do you folks reckon I should do? Wait until I've had the decision for my current renewal which could be another couple of months, or just put a new claim form in?

Cheers.

Apologies if anyone's already mentioned this but if you're registered blind then from April 2011 I believe you should get the High Rate Mobility - although I don't know if you have to apply or if it's automatic. Might be worth phoning DLA to enquire about that aspect? Number is 08457 123456, Good luck!