Lost my tribunal

Annieuk75

Quite disappointed, I had my tribunal today to appeal against the decision on my DLA. I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis and depression. I am in receipt of lower rate care and no mobility. I explained that i am in constant pain and that i use my childs pram as a mobility aid. I told them about the burning in my feet and how I cannot stand for long periods of time. Has anyone with RA qualified for mobility?

DarkFallout

Annieuk75 wrote: »

Quite disappointed, I had my tribunal today to appeal against the decision on my DLA. I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis and depression. I am in receipt of lower rate care and no mobility. I explained that i am in constant pain and that i use my childs pram as a mobility aid. I told them about the burning in my feet and how I cannot stand for long periods of time. Has anyone with RA qualified for mobility?

it does not matter if you have RA or osteoarthritis or if you use a pram as a mobility aid ... this benefit is supposed to help severely disabled people that are unable to walk or almost unable to walk ... because so many people try to get DLA and some of them get it in 1-2 years time they will change DLA to something much harsher ...

Jay_Tee

Annieuk75 wrote: »

Quite disappointed, I had my tribunal today to appeal against the decision on my DLA. I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis and depression. I am in receipt of lower rate care and no mobility. I explained that i am in constant pain and that i use my childs pram as a mobility aid. I told them about the burning in my feet and how I cannot stand for long periods of time. Has anyone with RA qualified for mobility?

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well, and at the moment I just get lower rate care component of DLA. I did get higher rate component of mobility while I was waiting to have hip re-surfacing, after the surgery it was stopped (which of course is fair enough). By the time I had surgery the cartilage in the joint had completely disintergrated and I just couldn't walk without terrible pain.

RA is a very variable disease and people are affected quite differently by it. I have foot problems (mainly discomfort caused by dislocated toes). But I try to walk several miles a day, because I love walking out in the countryside.

I do know of at least four people other than me with RA that have received the higher rate mobility component of DLA, but it is all down to the level of problems people experience. So yes it is possible but far from guaranteed.

Jay_Tee

DarkFallout wrote: »

it does not matter if you have RA or osteoarthritis or if you use a pram as a mobility aid ... this benefit is supposed to help severely disabled people that are unable to walk or almost unable to walk ... because so many people try to get DLA and some of them get it in 1-2 years time they will change DLA to something much harsher ...

I really don't know completely what you are trying to say as your post is very disjointed.

However Rheumatoid Arthritis can be an increadibly disabling disease and a reasonable number of people will become severely disabled from it. The prognosis is better these days with surgery and new treatments however that doesn't mean that people don't have severe mobility problems from it.

I received the higher rate of mobility component while waiting for surgery because I was unable to walk without severe pain, are you suggesting that by claiming in those circumstances I and people in the same situation are the reason the Government is going to change the system?

The Government want to change the system of benefits to save money.

The people who cheat the present system are very different to the OP who obviously has mobility problems, the only issue being whether the DWP feel those problems are severe enough to warrent DLA.

Annieuk75

DarkFallout wrote: »

it does not matter if you have RA or osteoarthritis or if you use a pram as a mobility aid ... this benefit is supposed to help severely disabled people that are unable to walk or almost unable to walk ... because so many people try to get DLA and some of them get it in 1-2 years time they will change DLA to something much harsher ...

I find your response quite harsh. I fully understand what DLA I for and many people have difficulty in walking with RA. It is not only the walking that is taken into account, how do you feel about the fact that Blind and Visually Impaired people will receive higher rate mobility from next month?

Brassedoff

Annieuk75 wrote: »

I find your response quite harsh. I fully understand what DLA I for and many people have difficulty in walking with RA. It is not only the walking that is taken into account, how do you feel about the fact that Blind and Visually Impaired people will receive higher rate mobility from next month?

I have been on these boards for a while now and noticed (I might be wrong) that as the DWP etc have changed the rules and ESA rules are harsher, people are turning more onto each other. What is wrong with anyone claiming? If they qualify, they get what they are entitled to. The horror stories about being turned down, benefit stopping altogether are starting to appear and I have noticed the attitude that people have with regard to who gets a blue badge (admitting I was one myself) is surfacing.

I thoroughly understand how distressing it is for everyone who is going through the these processes, but the amount of claims for DLA that were/are iffy has been the catalyst for what everyone will go through in the next few years following the financial situation. I have pointed out that this country has twice the number of "disabled" than most other advanced countries in Europe, so something is not right.

My mother has RA, still works as a nurse, but there are differing levels of disability as there are illnesses.

I suppose the only way to work everyone through the system is for everyone to be re-checked. I dread mine, I was confident that I would get through, but not now. I know I cannot work, physically impossible, medically impossible (but that is in my opinion) my medication would stop me working or getting a job in any case. But possibly not in the opinion of ATOS.

What I am saying is cut a little slack (When I first came on here I was wrongfully harsh), its a worrying time for everyone who is genuine.

nannytone_2

Annieuk75 wrote: »

I find your response quite harsh. I fully understand what DLA I for and many people have difficulty in walking with RA. It is not only the walking that is taken into account, how do you feel about the fact that Blind and Visually Impaired people will receive higher rate mobility from next month?

i have been registered blind since 1996 and will not be getting HRM as most registered blind people wont

low rate care is for supervision only. high rate care is for people unable/virtually unable to walk. you use a pram to walk. so you arent unable to walk!

Annieuk75

nannytone wrote: »

i have been registered blind since 1996 and will not be getting HRM as most registered blind people wont

low rate care is for supervision only. high rate care is for people unable/virtually unable to walk. you use a pram to walk. so you arent unable to walk!

I never said at any time that I was unable to walk or that I was looking to receive Higher Rate Mobility. I really wish people would stop snapping, I only came on to ask for advice. Yes, I am able to walk, but what people don't understand is that every step I take hurts. I feel constant pain and burning. What am I supposed to do - stay indoors all the time and give into this?

jetta_wales

Annieuk75 wrote: »

I never said at any time that I was unable to walk or that I was looking to receive Higher Rate Mobility. I really wish people would stop snapping, I only came on to ask for advice. Yes, I am able to walk, but what people don't understand is that every step I take hurts. I feel constant pain and burning. What am I supposed to do - stay indoors all the time and give into this?

A qualifying factor for HRM is also 'unable to walk without severe discomfort'. Obviously it depends on quite how bad the pain is but that's the criteria and your condition warrants consideration for that so I don't see what justification there is for people laying into you for it.

TOBRUK

Annieuk75 wrote: »

Quite disappointed, I had my tribunal today to appeal against the decision on my DLA. I suffer with Rheumatoid Arthritis and depression. I am in receipt of lower rate care and no mobility. I explained that i am in constant pain and that i use my childs pram as a mobility aid. I told them about the burning in my feet and how I cannot stand for long periods of time. Has anyone with RA qualified for mobility?

I understand your disappointment in losing your appeal. Did you also lose your care rate or was that awarded and you are still in receipt of LCR?

Do you see your GP on a regular basis and does he/she know your situation with regard your day to day difficulties?

Nobody on here can tell you whether you are definitely eligible for the mobility element of DLA or not, and as you know it makes no difference what your illness/disability is, it is how it affects you.

You state that you use your child's pram as a mobility aid - this is not ideal. Your GP can refer you to an OT, or physiotherapist to be assessed on your mobility AND make sure you have the correct walking aid or other.

You should see your GP on a regular basis about your illness and keep her/him in the picture ... they can refer you to the right person to make sure you get the help you need.

With regard your DLA claim, I don't know whether you can do anything about the decision made at your tribunal.

pipkin71

nannytone wrote: »

low rate care is for supervision only. high rate care is for people unable/virtually unable to walk. you use a pram to walk. so you arent unable to walk!

Whilst it is true that HRM is awarded to those who are unable / virtually unable to walk, it is also awarded to those who are unable / virtually unable to walk without severe pain, so, someone could qualify if they can walk but are in severe pain when walking.