Hip replacement and DLA benefit

fitzy_52

Hi,
I am looking for advice regarding disability benefit. Im seriously confused and dont know if i am eligable and government website is no help! I am 24yrs old and have had Hip displasia since birth. following 11 operations etc etc i now have servere OA of my left hip and mild OA in the right. I am having a hip replacement in December as last resort on left hip with the view of having further replacements obviously due to my age and the right one done in the future. I am currently working and have done since i was 16. I have never even thought of applying for benefits before as didnt know i could seeing as i manage to work(with great pain); but after finding out i will be on satutary sick pay for 3 months (79 quid a week!!) i am really worried how i am going to pay my direct debits etc. I live with parents so rent wont be problem but everything else (phone bill credit card, car insurance etc) will need to be paid. I have read lots of things about disablilty benefit and how is it graded on how it affects your life etc. will i still be eligable after the operation? as i will need extra money for transport to hospitals etc. i am worried about applying for something i may not be eligable for but how do ppl seriously live on £79 a week for three months!? :(and thats if it goes successfully. sorry for such long thread no one is prob gonna bother to read but so confused!!!
can anyone help ?advice would be much appreciated! thank you in advance

Indie_Kid

DLA is based on care and /or mobility needs. Do you have any?

kingfisherblue

As sh1305 says, DLA is awarded for care and mobility needs, not diagnosis. Although you may have those needs at the moment, it is only awarded if you have had the needs for three months and expect to have them for a further six months. Presumably, you and your doctors hope for an improvement after the operation.

I have no idea whether or not you will be able to claim DLA, but hopefully the above information will be of some use. In the meantime, the hospital may be able to arrange transport for you - in our area we have 'sitting up' ambulances for people who cannot otherwise attend appointments. The biggest problem is that you have to pick everyone up and drop everyone off, so depending on where you are on the run, you could be very early for your appointment and hanging around for ages afterwards.

Alternatively, if you are on a low income (and I don't know if this includes receiving just SSP), you might be able to claim some help towards transport costs (usually petrol or public transport, very rarely taxis and then only if agreed beforehand). You can pick up the form from ther Job Centre, chemists and doctor's surgeries, but I'm not sure of the reference number (possibly HC1?)

If you have payment protection on your credit card, it might pay out whilst you are off work. It might also be possible to downgrade your phone to a cheaper tariff.

Hope the op goes well x

Indie_Kid

Kingfisherblue - yes, that is correct. HC1 form is the form that needs to be filled in for help towards health costs, including travel.

kingfisherblue

Thanks, I thought it was that number, but wouldn't want to give incorrect information.

fitzy_52

thank you both for your help. aparently i didnt take out payment protection !!arghhh!
I feel that i do have mobility needs as getting around is akward for me. I read on another forum that a girl simular to me recieved DLA up to and after her hip replacement so i think its worth applying.
thanks again for your advice i think i will just go ahead and see what happens

Indie_Kid

Your care and /or mobility need to have lasted for the previous 6 months and expect to last for another 6. If you have a hip replacement in December, you may not have these care or mobility needs.

MrsManda

sh1305 wrote: »

Your care and /or mobility need to have lasted for the previous 6 months and expect to last for another 6. If you have a hip replacement in December, you may not have these care or mobility needs.

Previous three months, and last for further six.

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.

babymoo

Hi OP

I really feel for you hun. I am 23 and have had hip dysplasia since birth myself. Luckily I've never had surgery on my hips yet but they have been talking about a hip replacement recently, very reluctant however to do anything yet because of my age and the fact that I have had so many major operations for other things.

If you are anything like me then walking about is nigh on an impossiblity and when you do walk about your in that much pain you just want to give up. The hip replacement may as sh1305 as said cure most of your problems, but if they are only replacing one side and the other side is still painful then you may still have the mobility and care needs. If I was you I would apply, they can only say no if they don't think you are entitled. If you do apply go to the CAB and/or the welfare rights to help you.

Good luck hun and take it easy.

black_paw

hi i was ill for a long time like you .the money is hardly anything to live on i had to get a loan from mum and dad to keep going , and hopefully get back to work quick ...its worth going to CAB /DIAL to ask about DLA but you have to be bad for 6 months first

MrsManda

black_paw wrote: »

its worth going to CAB /DIAL to ask about DLA but you have to be bad for 6 months first

You don't have to be bad for six months before applying for DLA. You have to be ill for THREE months before applying and expect to be ill for a further SIX months.