Reducing your DLA

Sueinbirmingham

I can't get all the care I need, so some of my DLA is unspent every year so I'm wondering whether it's possible to tell the DWP that I want a lower rate even though I'm entitled to the rate I'm on. Has anyone done this?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

I can't get all the care I need, so some of my DLA is unspent every year so I'm wondering whether it's possible to tell the DWP that I want a lower rate even though I'm entitled to the rate I'm on. Has anyone done this?

It's possible you could, its also possible during the that reassessment process you could have all or most of it taken away. Even without volunteering, the new reassessment process rolled out this year might take some / all / most of your monetary benefit. You kindness is self evident, I think your proposed endeavour could have ' unforeseen circumstances '

jetta_wales

One word

DON'T

Safetyone

There are people fighting tooth and nail to get some sort of payment from the DWP
Then along come`s you who want to give it back to um .
what a star you are
Have you thought ahead if things get worse for you and your needs change try geting it back them

Sueinbirmingham

It's not that I don't have needs but the money doesn't pay for it.

I have bipolar disorder. I need supervision, but the money I get isn't enough to pay for all the supervision I need and it's a bit pointless having, say, someone there for an hour a night when I'm alone to do stupid things the rest of the night. Likewise mobility. I could have someone with me a bit of the time and then jump out in front of a bus when they're not with me.

It was simpler when I had the help of a CPN and a crisis team but there have been cutbacks.

I use some of the money on things like ready meals when I can't get it together to cook, and some of the money goes on wasted food when I get in a mess with looking after myself, and some goes on taxis to get me to places where I can be with others, but it's all a bit absurd really. I also use some of the money to get medication off the internet when my doctor forgets to send my prescription. The little things like endless notepads to write notes galore of what I have to do or extra clothes as my weight goes up and down with my mood add up a bit but not much really. There's my broadband connection which makes me less isolated, but that's not really what the money's there for, is it? It's supposed to be for someone to actually be there.

It's not that I don't have needs, my mind is very messed up, it's just that the money doesn't sort it and even if it would, I can't get my head round using it properly.

In fact, I can't get my head round much at the moment.

jetta_wales

Would using some for a gym membership be of use for giving a place to go when're you think it better not be alone and giving you something constructive to focus on? Or any other class or even a short course at a local college?

I have no idea wether any of my suggestions would be in the slightest way suitable to you but I guess my point is just to think outside the box for what else might be of benefit to you in place of traditional home care.

Sueinbirmingham

That's an idea, Jetta, I'll try to get my head round it.

jetta_wales

Sueinbirmingham wrote: »

That's an idea, Jetta, I'll try to get my head round it.

Maybe a friend or relative could help you brainstorm a little? Somebody who knows what's available where you live.

Sueinbirmingham

I did think of carrying on claiming it at the level I'm entitled to and sending some of it back to the DWP anyonymously by post. They wouldn't know who it had come from, but I'd only have what I need.

But I do like Jetta's idea of asking others to help me to think how else I could spend it.

jetta_wales

redbu wrote: »

Maybe people are fighting a decision because 'they think' that they are entitled to it, not withstanding what the DWP have decided.
Maybe they genuinely aren't entitled to anything but can't see it?

Hang around here a while and you will see that is very very often not the case at all.

We are not on a fair and level playing field in a perfect world. If it would have no impact on their future needs and claims for help when it is very needed and available then that would be just fine but the facts are that it will be very likely to do so and to also result in their loss of all DLA then triggering an ESA medical too of course.

It's not greed it's realism and not setting yourself up for a fall just out of naivety to the at times sheer cruelty of the current system.

jetta_wales

redbu wrote: »

Good God you make it sound like 'The Machines against Men'.

We live in a civilised society not in some third world dictatorship of a country.

Tell that to ATOS