Rejected for Disability Again

gravitytolls

Having been rejected a few months ago, we reapplied - well DH did, and I the carers allowance, as he is a full time job.

He's finally seen aconsultant who diagnosed prolapsed vertebrae. The physio won't see him any more, as there's nothing she can do for him until he's had the surgery. he can't have the surgery until an MRI confirms the diagnosis. The waiting time is 13 weeks,a dn they received the referral on 7th Nov.

He doesn't tie his hsoes, as he can't bend, but he can then slip his feet in and out of them. He hardly ever drives, as the pain is distracting, and he simply can't settle.

He spends his time sitting, laying or walking around the house - anything to try to find some relief. He sleeps badly, as do I. I wake because he's rolling around and groaning. I get up to administer pain killers, reposition pillows etc.

He's sinking into depression, because he can't even potter about at home.

Yet, he's been rejected again.

The standard letter talks about his being able to walk, prepare a meal (though he doesn't - perhaps a snack pot or bowl of soup in the mike), doesn't need personal care with the toilet etc.

But he's crippled with pain.

He was first diagnosed with curvature of the spine, arthritis and erosion in 1999. He has always worked - very hard- and hs never before tried to claim anything.

Yet, on any given day we see disabled badge holders walking ably around town, we know of people in receipt of middle and high rate DLA, despite being able to do far more than DH.

What's going on?

upferret

Hi, i'm in the same position as you. You need to phone welfare rights and appeal against the decision. I have just phoned and got an appointment so they can lodge the appeal as soon as possible. You have 28 days to appeal from the date of the decision letter. The welfare rights person told me DLA often refuse DLA and then give it to you if you appeal, like its part of a test, and if you dont need it you wont appeal.

hope this helps and good luck!
Nic

computerwoman

Hi do you have a disable action group or CAB near you as you need to appeal but its all in the wording really, I to had this problem as I can't walk un aided I use crutches, or I have my wheelchair but when it came to answering the questions I said I could walk on a good day with crutches all they look at is the yes bit and you don't get it, it took me awhile to realise that no I can't walk, and no I don't drive and have not got a blue badge either but am going to apply for the blue badge as a friend of mine took me out for the day and if I'd had the blue badge then we could have parked for free and closer to the shops which is normally a nightmare for me so I don't go out much, I perfer to shop on the net. hope this helps T

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

I wholeheartedly sympathise. The missus suffers from scoleosis (sp?) and very bad asthma. She has also been told she will end up in a wheelchair because she has started getting arthiritis in her back.
I work part time and spend the rest of my time looking after her and our son. The only thing they can do is prescribe her coproxamol. She hardly ever drives. She can't sit in the bath properly. Walking the stairs is nothing short of a feat. The majority of the time she's spaced out on painkillers because she has that much trouble.
She's just applied for DLA and after reading about your OH being rejected I'm not looking forward to the decision.
Its a downright disgrace when people who NEED this help get refused it yet as has been said, a walk round any town centre and you see people parking in the disabled bays only to get out and run to wherever they are going.
I'd appeal. If they refuse again then have it taken to a tribunal. Take your husband along with a representative and let them see for themselves what day to day life is like for him.

Hope you manage to get it sorted

ldv400

Hi Gravitytolls
I,m in the same situation as you,r hubby the pain is unbearable eating painkillers like smarties, I have tried every place apart from industrial injuries I had a bad accident at work (grangemouth -came of the back of a tractor )
it was when I was19 I,m now 59 and don,t remember much of the details they now say I,m to old for a op.---As you say you see them jumping out of there paid for cars and running into the bank for more money it sickens you.

No offence to genuine claiments.

Miss_Money

My step mums just had the assement she has ME or CFS and arteritis. I was at the assessment and i really hope she gets dla because she needs it!
She cant walk becase of exhaustion and the artheritis and she wouldnt eat a meal(if my dad and i dint prepare them) let alone cook one!
it seems a physcoogical nightmare getting dla. all she anted was the blue badge to stsrt with so she could go into shops easier without struggling but they linked it to the dla?! doctors used to be able to give out the blue badge but no longer. we have to ait for the decision maker now. it seems a long ait

crutches

i applied.inc.ben report said i walked very slowly,very little distance on two crutches.
DLA decision = low care(bath/cooking help) and NO mobility(dec ision maker said "you could use a stick if dizzy".WHERE WOULD I HOLD IT???!!!In my mouth while my hands are used for crutches???!!!
Appealed and waiting for sensible reply!
good luck with all your claims everyone.

seven-day-weekend

Never had to claim DLA, but my husband has had to fill in Incapacity Benefirt questionnaires, which I believe are similar.

I think that if you can walk on good days but not on others you have to put you CAN'T walk otherwise they will say you can.

You have to put how you are on the WORST times, not the best.

Hope this helps.

Also, please bear in mind that not all disabilities are visible.

(He's still waiting for a decision on his latest questionnaire).

Miss_Money

crutches wrote:

i applied.inc.ben report said i walked very slowly,very little distance on two crutches.
DLA decision = low care(bath/cooking help) and NO mobility(dec ision maker said "you could use a stick if dizzy".WHERE WOULD I HOLD IT???!!!In my mouth while my hands are used for crutches???!!!
Appealed and waiting for sensible reply!
good luck with all your claims everyone.

My step mum uses a wheelchair or a stick depending on the good or bad day senario. she also suffers from vertigo so shes uses the chair on these days.
I hope they dont write back with a silly answer like use a stick when dizzy like they did for you! Who do they have reading these forms?!

lilac_lady

I think that genuine claimants are beginning to suffer (literally) because of the large amount of people who are on incapacity benefits, including DLA. We all know people who claim and are fitter than the population who go to work and pay tax so that they can sit around waiting for more money to be paid into their bank accounts. People who genuinely suffer like Gravitytolls husband must feel so bitter when they get turned down. The bottom line is that there are too many spongers, layabouts and liars who get benefit. If you're really unfit for work this is NOT aimed at you. The rest of you know who you are. British tax payers - because that's who provides the money - not the Government - can't continue to fund your lazy lifestyle ...........can it?

ianian99

not being funny but if you can walk around the house all day are you really disabled?