DLA for bipolar

dane-katie

I was diagnosed just over a year ago and have been on meds since then, but i have had it since i was 16 im now 25, id appeal, good luck

skipsmum

I get low rate care for bipolar, at home I only really need help to get organised. When I am poorly I get sectioned very quickly and get cared for in hospital.

PipsoG

Mandjaz06, Can I ask - how do you intend to use the DLA money that you have been awarded so far? If you were to appeal and get the high rate of Personal Care, would you be using this money to employ a support worker?

Have you looked into getting an assessment of your care needs from your local Adult Services of the council - it could well lead to you getting Direct Payments for you to employ a Personal Care Assistant.

Unfortuantely, a DLA award doesn't take the problems away but does help you to manage your life by being able to get outside assistance.

As you husband is your Carer - he could also get an assesment from Social Services.

I know it's a hassle but it is all a means to an end.

mandjaz06

Hi all, thanks for all the replies.
I have actually called DLA today and provided all the information (however shameful and feel awful saying out loud my behaviour and dependancy on all that care for me) They have took the additional information and are looking into my claim again and seeing if another decision can be made about my award. Not sure if done the right thing or not?

I am living off my husbands wage and have been since January 2010. I havent been contributing to any bills or food shopping. My husband is stressed about finance as well as looking after me. He is a head chef so the stress at work also will probably knock him unwell too if he carries on with this lifestyle and added stress. So the money I get from DLA would ease the pressure off my husband and stress of paying bills. Food shopping could be paid for with my award instead of my hubby having to cover bills as well as shopping. It will also help pay for taxi's for getting to appointments when needed as sometimes I am too unwell to face outdoors and walk to where I need to go.

I feel ashamed to say this but my brother and sister who also take it in turns to care for me, are both in higher education, they should be focusing on themselves instead of looking after me but they do it and I am very grateful but feel guilty at the same time. I would like to treat them every now and then with this extra money as a thank you for all they do for me. They clean my house when I can't. Cook me meals and my sis even washes and does my hair and applies my make up when I am unable to. She insists that making myself presentable with lift my mood. Sometimes it does but sometimes it doesn't. Just feel so useless

So do you think I have done the right thing calling DLA? How long am I looking at to hear back from them do you think and what are the chances?

Any help or experience with this would be much appreciated. Sorry to sound so gloom today, not a good day for me

PipsoG

I think you have done very well to telephone DLA - but perhspas you should consider following the telephone call with a letter that goes through each of the problems that you are suffering and as a result the care that you need. If you can give recent anecdotal evidence to back up each statement it is far better. For instance what actually happens when you were on you own and as a result needed help. Don't ever talk about good days and bad days - your life is full of bad days and BETTER days - yes, I know this goes against everything you should be saying as you want to have a positive outlook but you have to spell it out EXACTLY how is is. If you have lost your temper or done something that you feel ashamed of - tell them - One of the worst things about completing an application for for either DLA or AA is that you have to concentrate on the worst things, rather than the best - so after completing the form you do feel bad in yourself - but always remember it is a means to an end.

I doubt if you would be able to get the higher rate of the Mobility Component as you don't seem to have a problem with walking it's more about being in places where you don't feel safe or secure or are familiar with.

With regard to the Care Component, you don't actually have to be receiving the care but you need to prove that you need it. As you quite rightly say - personal care is not a "once a day" task - it's all day - and when you are not feeling too good, you are not really going to be motivated about keeping yourself clean and tidy - you simply cannot be bothered - that is nothing to be ashamed about it is part of the illness.

Why not try writing down all of the tasks that need to be done for you just to complete a "normal" day. Do you need help with getting out of bed [motivation] getting washed and dressed [do you bother on bad days] Preparing food, keeping house, taking medication [do you need to be prompted?]

Also think about communication - do you avoid using the phone - or answering the door bell? Do you find you watch a TV programme or listent to the radio and follow the story or what is being said? Can you look things up in a book [telephone numbers/addresses]? Can you use a computer without any problems - those are some of the things that enable you to take your place in everday life.

I know you have a CPN but do you have a Social Worker? You can refer yourself to Social Services for an assessment or your CPN get refer you. That way you would be able to have a "Care Plan" which you can show to DLA Decision Makers showing that you do have a need for care and support. As I said before there is the Direct Payments/Personal Budget Scheme which is run by the council.

Also remember that your husband can have a Carer's Assessment too which helps to back-up your claim

As to the financial side. I am sure that you are aware that DLA has 2 components Care and Mobility and there are 3 rates of Care and 2 rates of Mobility. Each of these pay different amounts dependant on your award.

I think you will find it hard to prove the need for the Higher Rate of Mobility, so the current amount of the Lower Rate is £18.95pw - which is what you have been awarded.

Rates for Care are: Lowest - £18.95pw - Middle: £47.80 - Highest: £49.85

From what you have been saying in your previous post - it would appear that the Middle Rate is the more reasonable award.

The money won't take away the problem you are experiencing with the bipolar but it will makes things financially easier.

I have to say one word of caution - as a result of you at anytime asking for a re-assessment can mean that the rate you are awarded can be lowered or could be removed completely.

Saying that, you can always appeal but it is far better if you can have somebody to represent you at a Tribunal - by going to a free organisation like CAB who have Welfare Rights Workers.

I am sure at the moment you feel really rotten and there appears to be no way out - try to keep those feelings a small as possible and even though it looks like there is no solution NOTHING is impossible if you put your mind to it - it will take time but the end justifies the means.

Best of Luck.

mandjaz06

Thanks so much for your lovely post Pipso.
I do not have a social worker as of yet. My cpn has refered me already which will happen soon no doubt. They are very fast moving and help is at hand for me 24/7 from the team which I am so thankful for.
I am happy with my decision for low rate mobility but I feel middle rate care is more what I should be entitled to.
I made them aware on the phone today of hitting my husband when on an agitated high and also my past 4 suicide attempts which worry my family terribly. This is why I am monitored so much and love them all dearly for caring as much as they all do. Just feel such a burden and with not applying for anything sooner, was my way of not facing up to how disabling my illness is. I sometimes feel like just a horrible person rather than someone ill.
To see the pressure eased off my hubby would be a wonderful thing.
My cpn, doc and psychiatrist are all willing to stand by my case which is great and if reach tribunal stage after not getting what i want from a reconsideration then my cpn said she will be present in any apps or medicals so I am sure she will represent me at a tribunal.
Fingers crossed it wont go that far but here is hoping with the information I gave on the telephone today, they will realise the severity of how bad I can be.
Thank you again so much for your post, it means a lot.

mandjaz06

Hi to anyone online.

I am just updating what I have since done.

I called on 14/10/2010 askng for a reconsideration of my low rate care award. I went through everything on the telephone with a woman about why I disagree and pointed out very clearly how my condition makes me a danger to myself or others either depressed or manic. Let her know of my past 4 suicide attempts and how suicidal I am still on variable days. I let her know that I am an outpatient of the early intervention psychosis team and see my cpn on a weekly basis. I am constantly monitored for my safety as my family are concerned about what I might do and how I neglect my hygiene when badly depressed.
I am never in the house alone or outdoors alone.
I don't just have people around me for comfort but also to be prompted, make sure I eat and take my meds, personal care and to make sure I am safe from harming myself and also am very aggressive and can be a danger to others. I am unaware of dangers when manic (i am on another planet when this happens) I also told her of my paranoia and vision and auditory hallucinations when either depressed or manic. This in itself is very frightening and could urge me to behave in a reckless way.
All of this was ticked on my claim form by my cpn about dangers and constant care. I don't understand how low rate care was decided in the first place. I also get low rate mobility which I am happy with.
My question is this, my husband has sent in a statement of how much care I receive and why and also gave reasons as to why we are unhappy with award given. Is this enough considering my cpn filled out the claim form and sent in a statement along side it?
Is it a case also that the claim forms questions are quite vague and wouldn't paint a full picture of all that is needed on a daily basis for myself and this phone call from myself and statement from my husband might be enough to help get a decision that reflects my care needs?
Also, do they sometimes award lower rates to test you and see if you are happy with it hoping some people don't bother to cause a fuss?
It just seems unfair knowing all that was stated on my claim form for them to decide low rate care, confused to how this whole system works.