DLA turned down - don't understand why?!

grumpys1daughter

If you can make an appointment at your local CAB I found them very helpful when filling in any of these forms and helping with what you may be entitled to hth

ash4becks

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

This thread makes me very worried.

I have hypermobility syndrome, which in laymans terms is usually a less severe and less debillitating condition which affects the joints in similar ways to the OP. After coming home from uni and realising how ill I really was, I applied for my blue badge (and got it) and also applied for job seekers allowance which I am receiving, but I was also told that I could get DLA so I looked in to it and on the surface I am probably eligible but reading through all this makes me feel so despondent about it all.

At my 'back to work' JSA session I was told I might be on the wrong benefits and I should talk to the disability adviser at the Job Centre but that place is so awful (the place, not the staff) I couldn't face going in when I didn't have to. I just don't know what to do. I already feel like a fraud, to have my claim turned down would be a nightmare. Also, I am worried because I am dyslexic but I don't know where to turn to for help in filling out the form, and if I did get help would I then get a higher rate than I actually need?

It feels like my head is going to explode!

i have same condtion and also dyslexia, this might help you control things theres a book on there and exercises to help stop damaging joints as much

http://www.hypermobility.org/

i am under investagation to see if its just hms or more depending on how long things are lasting i would ask gp for reumy appointment

look i no jcp are a pain in the bum but really if you feel well enough to work then you can be on jsa but i had a disability adviser and she filled out all of my applacations you can still get this if you went on esa

esa might be a option depending on your flareups as it might restrict the number of hours you can work , if i were you go down the esa route if your badly effected like iam then theres time in between for docs to sort meds out and remy app before mediucal and its a little bit more than jsa

pm me if you want any advice

formaldehyde_perfume

ash4becks wrote: »

i have same condtion and also dyslexia, this might help you control things theres a book on there and exercises to help stop damaging joints as much

http://www.hypermobility.org/

i am under investagation to see if its just hms or more depending on how long things are lasting i would ask gp for reumy appointment

look i no jcp are a pain in the bum but really if you feel well enough to work then you can be on jsa but i had a disability adviser and she filled out all of my applacations you can still get this if you went on esa

esa might be a option depending on your flareups as it might restrict the number of hours you can work , if i were you go down the esa route if your badly effected like iam then theres time in between for docs to sort meds out and remy app before mediucal and its a little bit more than jsa

pm me if you want any advice

I am a member of the HMSA, and I know they are really helpful but it's a huge community and I just wouldn't know where to start on the forum there.

I had an appointment with a rhematologist when I was at uni but he just diagnosed me and said there was nothing he could do, I think his exact words were 'well I can refer you to the physio department if you want but there's not really anything I can do'. I pushed and pushed and pushed and finally got an appointment at UCH but she basically just diagnosed me which was kind of a waste of both our time because I already knew my condition inside out, she sent a physio pack to my doctor but I moved home from uni a week later and my local doctor didn't get sent it with my notes, as requested. As I'm technically newly registered here I am waiting for a physio appointment but I've been to that place before and it's pretty pointless. I've tried asking about different forms of pain relief but I just end up getting fobbed off, I've been given Diclofenac before for particularly bad times which helped but it's not something I can be on long term as it interacts badly with other non related medication that I'm on. I think I'm just resigned to crappy joints and over the counter pain killers. I'm too tired of it all to try and fight for treatment.

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure the ESA isn't for me, someone told me the basics when I applied for the JSA and I remember thinking 'nope, wouldn't qualify'. Ironically right now I'm pretty sure I'd be unable to work due to the constant tiredness and bed rest that I'm having to have, but again I just don't have the energy to fill out another load of forms, go to another lot of interviews and feel like a fraud.. But that isn't a problem *yet* as there have only been 2 jobs that I'm qualified for come up in 9 weeks, both of which I applied for and neither of which I heard back from, so I am fulfilling my JSA obligations.

Thank you, and the other replies I have received.

The local CAB is right next to the job centre plus (is that for a reason I wonder :rotfl:) so I will see if they can help me, also my mum works for the local council so I could ask her to make some internal enquiries about that welfare adviser.

formaldehyde_perfume

Mojisola wrote: »

Your council should have Welfare Rights Advisors. Ask them for help. They will know which benefits are appropriate for you and will fill in the forms for you.

If you answer their questions accurately, you should get the benefit that's right for your needs.

But someone earlier on in the thread said that if you go to these places they know the right words to put in so that you get noticed (and something about cheating), I am not experienced and have only just adjusted my mind to coming to terms with a disability so if I was challenged I don't think I could have confidence and moral conviction about my DLA judgement. Does that make sense?

ash4becks

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

I am a member of the HMSA, and I know they are really helpful but it's a huge community and I just wouldn't know where to start on the forum there.

I had an appointment with a rhematologist when I was at uni but he just diagnosed me and said there was nothing he could do, I think his exact words were 'well I can refer you to the physio department if you want but there's not really anything I can do'. I pushed and pushed and pushed and finally got an appointment at UCH but she basically just diagnosed me which was kind of a waste of both our time because I already knew my condition inside out, she sent a physio pack to my doctor but I moved home from uni a week later and my local doctor didn't get sent it with my notes, as requested. As I'm technically newly registered here I am waiting for a physio appointment but I've been to that place before and it's pretty pointless. I've tried asking about different forms of pain relief but I just end up getting fobbed off, I've been given Diclofenac before for particularly bad times which helped but it's not something I can be on long term as it interacts badly with other non related medication that I'm on. I think I'm just resigned to crappy joints and over the counter pain killers. I'm too tired of it all to try and fight for treatment.

Unfortunately I'm pretty sure the ESA isn't for me, someone told me the basics when I applied for the JSA and I remember thinking 'nope, wouldn't qualify'. Ironically right now I'm pretty sure I'd be unable to work due to the constant tiredness and bed rest that I'm having to have, but again I just don't have the energy to fill out another load of forms, go to another lot of interviews and feel like a fraud.. But that isn't a problem *yet* as there have only been 2 jobs that I'm qualified for come up in 9 weeks, both of which I applied for and neither of which I heard back from, so I am fulfilling my JSA obligations.

Thank you, and the other replies I have received.

The local CAB is right next to the job centre plus (is that for a reason I wonder :rotfl:) so I will see if they can help me, also my mum works for the local council so I could ask her to make some internal enquiries about that welfare adviser.

now dont take this the wrong way but hunny you need a kick up the bum in some ways,if you dont want to listen then thats fine accepting your falling to bits while your mates the same age are still partying the night away and your stuck in the house because you physically cant go out a nightmare and you need to keep you chin up you sound down and i no its tough with the tierdness etc and pain

rember this shy barins get nothing !!!

do you honestly think if you can really handle full time work atm because to me you really dont sound it , if you think your tired now it will make it 10 times worse and you might end up going downhill and hurting more out of pushing it

i really think you need your pain under control next time your at doc ask for something stronger , why dont you ask physio about hydrothearphy it strenghens quicker and controls pain in water alot

with the esa or dla thats what the cab is there for to fill your forms in and if your going to job centre anyways get apointments the same day, and if your on esa you dont have to go to job centre to sign on either

and i dont even have a blue badge iam appealing the desion thou, but does that not speak voulmes, there really hard to get and you normally only get it automactic if you get the highest rate of dla moblity, its up to you but better having the help sooner than later and struggle even more and possibly make yourself worse

the hmsa site is a bit of a pain so i no what you mean but have a play around it gets easyer

take care x

Mojisola

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

But someone earlier on in the thread said that if you go to these places they know the right words to put in so that you get noticed (and something about cheating), I am not experienced and have only just adjusted my mind to coming to terms with a disability so if I was challenged I don't think I could have confidence and moral conviction about my DLA judgement. Does that make sense?

Our experience of the advisors is not that they want to put down what will get you the benefit but that they know what the question really means.

They asked specific questions to build up a picture of my son's abilities and problems and were able to answer the questions accurately on his behalf. As long as you are truthful in your answers, you don't need to worry about it.

What my son found difficult was that the questioning brought out just how bad he was and that was upsetting. Most people with health problems do their best to "manage" and find ways of coping with life. When you have to face all the things you can't do, it can make you feel bad. If you're only just coming to terms with a disability or illness, be aware that the process can be emotional.

formaldehyde_perfume

Mojisola wrote: »

Our experience of the advisors is not that they want to put down what will get you the benefit but that they know what the question really means.

They asked specific questions to build up a picture of my son's abilities and problems and were able to answer the questions accurately on his behalf. As long as you are truthful in your answers, you don't need to worry about it.

What my son found difficult was that the questioning brought out just how bad he was and that was upsetting. Most people with health problems do their best to "manage" and find ways of coping with life. When you have to face all the things you can't do, it can make you feel bad. If you're only just coming to terms with a disability or illness, be aware that the process can be emotional.

My local CAB have a 'benefits and tax credits' drop in session on monday afternoon. Hopefully my mum can take a long lunch break and take me :j At least then I can get the ball rolling. I really wish I had a mobility scooter, then I could just take myself in without relying on my mum. I'm 22 years old, I shouldn't still be relying on my mum

I know what you mean about it being emotional, I filled out the Blue Badge form on my own in the library one afternoon and I was almost crying, and then I worried for hours after about whether I'd done it right, then worried about it for weeks whilst it was processed.

Thanks for giving me the confidence to go in

ash4becks

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

My local CAB have a 'benefits and tax credits' drop in session on monday afternoon. Hopefully my mum can take a long lunch break and take me :j At least then I can get the ball rolling. I really wish I had a mobility scooter, then I could just take myself in without relying on my mum. I'm 22 years old, I shouldn't still be relying on my mum

I know what you mean about it being emotional, I filled out the Blue Badge form on my own in the library one afternoon and I was almost crying, and then I worried for hours after about whether I'd done it right, then worried about it for weeks whilst it was processed.

Thanks for giving me the confidence to go in

not a mobility scooter but have you asked at local hospitail about the red cross they offer wheelchairs to lend and you can get them of the nhs might not be a electric one but theres always the option of using the mobiliy shops around and you can lend one for the day for small charge but some are free

formaldehyde_perfume

ash4becks wrote: »

not a mobility scooter but have you asked at local hospitail about the red cross they offer wheelchairs to lend and you can get them of the nhs might not be a electric one but theres always the option of using the mobiliy shops around and you can lend one for the day for small charge but some are free

And how do I get to those shops? I don't drive. I live about a mile from the town. I want a mobility scooter to give me indepenance, to stop me feeling trapped in my own home. Same with a wheelchair, someone would need to push me, no independance there.

Thanks for trying to help, but each situation is different so a lot of suggestions won't be suitable for me.

ash4becks

formaldehyde_perfume wrote: »

And how do I get to those shops? I don't drive. I live about a mile from the town. I want a mobility scooter to give me indepenance, to stop me feeling trapped in my own home. Same with a wheelchair, someone would need to push me, no independance there.

Thanks for trying to help, but each situation is different so a lot of suggestions won't be suitable for me.

iam in the near same situation iam 24 and dont drive either and live about the same distance from town , i no it sucks not to have you inderpendance when your body decides to give up and i get by just but i live on my own only diffference, iam just to stubbon to use a stick or scooter yet

i no you can get the self propelled chairs that was the thought i had and possiblely to get a bus into town bus does depend on how good to buses are to get on and of and how well you are

i no in my area the motablity charity have escorts that will go out with you , are volantry and meet you of the bus or taxi with scooter or chair

have you had a OT assesment they might recomend you for a electronic chair and other stuff to help in house, they might no of places that sell second hand scooters cheap, i dont no if your in the north east but local charity shop to me is selling one for £400 atm

i no what its like to be trapped in makes depression worse i hate it i had almost a month in bed when it was fab outside and hate it even more as i have my dog to look after and i love nothing better than to be outside watching her play