epilepsy and dla

asdfgf

Does anyone know anything about epilepsy and claiming DLA? My husband (we are separated) suffers with epilepsy and assoc problems. I am on 'standby' 24/7 for emergency calls from him so never can go far from home. I do his shopping, help etc. His memory is bad so I act as his 'memory' too. Sometimes he needs help, sometimes he doesn't. He has a very unpredictable illness. He is just about to be made redundant from his job and will find it pretty impossible to find another job as he's 56 and epileptic. I'd be grateful for any advice.

Indie_Kid

Is his epilepsy controlled?

zzzLazyDaisy

As with any condition, evey case is different and decided on its own facts.

I can tell you that it is possible to get DLA as my friend's teenage daughter gets high rate care and low rate mobility. Her epilepsy is not controlled, she has no warning of fits and can literally fit in the middle of a sentence, while crossing the road, in the bath etc. She cannot be left alone at any time, day or night, so she does require a high degree of care and supervision.

On the other hand, a person who has epilepsy which is controlled by medication may have few or no care needs and not be entitled to DLA.

Aliasaila

It really depends on what type of epilepsy he has and wether or not it is controlled or if it will be brought under control in the next 6 months (i.e. if he's on treatment which is helping and the build up effect in the body is expected to bring it under control in 3 months time then he wont qualify under the time rules).

asdfgf

He is on the highest dosage of drugs he can safely take but still has seizures, absences etc. The epilepsy is caused by an inoperable condition in his brain.

Indie_Kid

Aside from the seizures, does this other condition cause any care and /or mobility needs?

Given what you've said, I think it is worth applying.

asdfgf

His care/mobility needs alter from day to day. Sometimes he needs a lot of help, sometimes a little help and sometimes none at all. As with most seizures, memory loss is a huge problem. Recently he accidently overdosed his medication as he'd forgotten he'd already taken them. I have to be on 'standby' or as much as I can, 24/7 as he phones if he has a warning of fit. I do all is food shopping etc and care whenever it's needed with whatever's needed. So although I'm not physically with him day and night, I am 'on call'. Some days he can do everything by himself, somedays he can't. There is no set pattern. Also, his peripheral vision has deteriated badly and he keeps walking into things.

Indie_Kid

It may help him (and maybe you) to keep a diary for a week.

nannytone_2

the fact that you shop for him is ireelevant as fatr as DLA is concerned.
He needs to prove care/mobility needs. Washing, dressing, personal hygiene, cooking a meal if all the ingredients are to hand, needing supervision when indoors/outdoors.

[Deleted User]

asdfgf wrote: »

He is on the highest dosage of drugs he can safely take but still has seizures, absences etc. The epilepsy is caused by an inoperable condition in his brain.

Hi I myself have uncontrolled epilepsy(i`m not an "epileptic"),i have tonic clonic seaizures on average 2-3 a week and absence seizures several times most days,although i never have seizures during sleeping hours,on this basis i get mrc and lrm mobility dla.
As has already been mentioned you dont get dla for the condition but for care and or mobility needs.
It might help to have a look at the nse website,they offer excellent advice and also have a free to use forum that is well supported http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/Homepage
if i can be of any help just ask here or feel free to PM me
regards
John

[Deleted User]

Just another thought having read post #7 if he gets warnings(or auras)before he has a seizure he is unlikely to qualify for dla as he is able to ensure he is relatively "safe"before it happens.