DLA Hip Replacement

lotties_mum

12 months ago, at 44 yrs of age, my husband was made redundant and although a Retained Firefighter was optimistic about starting his own business as an IT Technician. A couple of months later he was diagnosed with moderate-severe arthritis in both hips. Although, this was a major problem, because of his position the worst jobs were avoidable and he's managed to get by. Its now come to the point, due to the pain and the safety of his colleagues thats now impossible and he's about to go sick. Money is tight and the business start up is on hold as he struggles to get into the car and even drive it. Just about everything he does is extremely painfull and limits his quality of life. We do get by on our incomes but it has limitations and paying for public transport is expensive. Can my husband claim DLA whilst waiting for his hip replacement ops. The consultant has advised him to wait as long as possible due to his young age.

harry7075

He can apply as the condition is having an adverse effect on his quality of life.

calleyw

to claim DLA you need to have the mobility/care problems for at least 3 months and expect them to last at least another 6 month.


Yours

Calley

Oldernotwiser

harry7075 wrote: »

He can apply as the condition is having an adverse effect on his quality of life.

That is irrelevant to claiming DLA.

pompeyfaith

Yes he can apply and the decision whether he gets it is the DWP DM only and no one else, He is likely to be worse now than after hip replacement operations so yes claim.

tanith

I have had one hip-replacement and an ill-health early retirement from the Ambulance Service because of it.. it sounds like you husband is already at the stage that I was when I had to have my hip-op , there is only so much disability and pain one can take the turning point for me was not being able to sleep at night because of the pain.... O/A is a !!!!!!.. I'd apply and see what happens...

lotties_mum

He's been diagnosed for about 8/9 months with moderate/severe arthritis (does that count??) and he will certainly be in this position for a lot longer than 6 months as he'll have to have the 2nd hip op

Oldernotwiser

lotties_mum wrote: »

He's been diagnosed for about 8/9 months with moderate/severe arthritis (does that count??) and he will certainly be in this position for a lot longer than 6 months as he'll have to have the 2nd hip op

What counts for DLA are his care and mobility needs.

He may find, as my mother did, that having the first one done can make an enormous amount of difference, even when waiting to have the second one replaced.

tanith

lotties_mum wrote: »

He's been diagnosed for about 8/9 months with moderate/severe arthritis (does that count??) and he will certainly be in this position for a lot longer than 6 months as he'll have to have the 2nd hip op

Well it will depend on how it affects his life some people with severe O/A actually don't get that many symptoms/pain and others get severe disability with moderate O/A it will be how it impacts on his life . I was pain free in that hip as soon as I had recovered from the surgery which was 5yrs ago my other hip has deteriorated at a much slower rate since I am no longer doing any heavy lifting.. if he will be mainly office based soon then he will certainly be able to cope much better without the heavy work involved in his present job