Carer and DLA

chillimog

I wonder if anybody could offer advice.

My partner has a long term mental illness and is a suicide risk. He needs day to day help and supervision, particularly in monitoring his meds, cooking, personal care etc.

A few years ago, he had an accident in his former flat. He was living in squalor, because he was unable to look after his surroundings due to his health, and lit a candle, which was then knocked over and caused a fire in his flat. He was later convicted of reckless arson as a result, as it was clear that his mental health played a part in this, according to pre sentencing reports.

He has attempted suicide more than once in the past, and I am finding I have to administer his meds, rather strictly, so that he doesn't do himself any harm.

As a result, we have taken the decision that it is necessary for me to care for him full time, because he cannot manage on his own, needs a lot of emotion support and a lot of supervision.

He is currently, on ESA (high rate main phase, work related) and DLA (low rate care, no mobility). He is appealing for his DLA to be raised to the middle rate.

To look after him, I would not be working, because it really is turning into a full time job looking after him.

I am aware that if he was on MRC, I would be entitled to CA, but should he have to remain on LRC, what other options would be open to us, with regard to me caring for him?

He also receives HB and CTB.

Any help is appreciated.

sleepless_saver

You can run the figures through turn2us benefits checker.

He might get a bit more income related ESA if you weren't working and he stayed on LRC, but your best bet is to put forward a good case for the DLA appeal with supporting medical/psychiatric evidence so you can get CA.

skater_kat

slightly off topic .have you told all this to housing options? with written evidence? this could give you a higher priority.

skater_kat

does he have a Care co-ordinator who can support the dla revision claim?

skater_kat

could he go on depot for his meds?

Oldernotwiser

chillimog wrote: »

He also receives HB and CTB.

.

Do you live together?

chillimog

skater_kat wrote: »

slightly off topic .have you told all this to housing options? with written evidence? this could give you a higher priority.

We're going to see them on monday about this.

chillimog

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Do you live together?

I'm not living with him in the full sense, but staying with him frequently while he gets all of this sorted, and then the plan is that we will live together.

FleurDuLys

Can his CPN help? They ought to be supporting you both and can probably give you good advice regarding this.

sunnyone

chillimog wrote: »

I'm not living with him in the full sense, but staying with him frequently while he gets all of this sorted, and then the plan is that we will live together.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3220300=

chillimog

FleurDuLys wrote: »

Can his CPN help? They ought to be supporting you both and can probably give you good advice regarding this.

Well that's another problem, because it would seem I'm having to help him fight for treatment as well. He had an appointment for a mental health assessment a few weeks ago, because he needs intensive CBT, but the clinic (who I should mention have a v poor reputation), just keep referring him for private therapy which he can't afford. He has been to this clinic 3 times in the last year and each time, they tell him to go for private treatment, and we cannot seem to get them to agree that he should be receiving the treatment he needs, on the NHS.

We have since been back to the doctor, who is trying to get him some help on the NHS. For the last 4 years, he has been passed back and forth, because of failings in the UK mental health system, and as a result is getting worse on a daily basis.

He had a CPN last year, who gave him only 6 sessions and said that he would be ok, because I was the answer to his problems! Needless to say, that puts a huge amount of pressure on me, and while I can care for him, I'm by no means an expert in the field of mental health. It's the experts who should be helping him, but once we get beyond the GP, it all goes pear-shaped.