Encouraging Friend With Bipolar To Apply For DLA

kah22

I've encouraged a friend with bipolar to apply for DLA this she has done. Unfortunately she did not seek advice in filling the form in, and had it posted before I could read it. However, I am encouraging her to appeal if she is turned down, she says she will.

I'm also encouraging her to let a local solicitor who specializes in Benefits to deal with the claim. (Yes I know solicitors cost money and the CAB is free but this particular solicitor comes highly recommended - by the way would legal aid kick in here, the friends on income support) Again she has agreed to let the solicitor help should she be turned down.

I don't want to over build my friends hopes on getting an award and have told her that in all likelihood she will be turned down first time around but I am worried about Government cuts and how they are affecting this particular benefit. I'm also highly aware that mental health tends to be the forgotten child of the benefit system.

What is happening in the DLA field at the moment, especially for new claimants and particularly those with mental health issues. If there is anyone on the board who has recently been awarded DLA for bipolar disorder I really would be grateful for you input

As always many thanks for your replies.

kurgon

Just because someone has bipolar does not mean they have care needs. Many don't and do not need DLA. Just because there is a diagnosis does not automatically entitle you to further benefits. For those with mental health issues, the focus is on recovery and integration into education or employment.

olias

kurgon wrote: »

Just because someone has bipolar does not mean they have care needs. Many don't and do not need DLA. Just because there is a diagnosis does not automatically entitle you to further benefits. For those with mental health issues, the focus is on recovery and integration into education or employment.

Thank you. You have just highlighted the huge problem those with mental health issues face with the benefits system.

Two people could have bipolar, one could be well enough to run the country (Winston Churchill was apparently bipolar), while another might be virtually bed-ridden and unable to function at almost any level. Yet those making the descisions on benefit awards can have little or no knowledge of that particular illness or condition or the huge variances it can produce (neither can a tick box form!)

Olias

rogerblack

kah22 wrote: »

I've encouraged a friend with bipolar to apply for DLA this she has done.

A major issue with bipolar and DLA is that some people can be 'normal' for long periods - and have little or no care needs - meaning that their entitlement to DLA is questionable.
Simply as you're required to have had the needs for 3 months in order to qualify.

kah22

Thank you for your replies to date.

Yes I can understand that a major illness/condition does not necessarily mean that you need care.

From my perspective I see a woman who is constantly hyper and one who needs calming down on an ongoing basis. (I'm speaking lay-man terms here, so pardon if I'm coming across ignorant, I am trying to understand.)

I also see a woman who just flops and won't come out of her flat for days on end and occasionally talks about 'life not been worth living.' She is single and lives alone in housing association property designed for those who need care and support

Granted I'm writing from a friends point of view, from someone who is trying to make life just that little bit easier for this woman and that is the reason I've encouraged her to apply.

Does she need care and attention in the sense that DLA means - I don't know. I know she will need encouragement to appeal if she falls at the first stage. I'm trying to figure out what DLA care and attention needs she has e.g. sometime back I discovered, by accident, that she hadn't take her medication for a few days.

Are there other things I should be aware of in that regards, I don't know that's part of the reason I'm posting.

Again many thanks for your input.

kurgon

I would say that her care needs would be best met by the mental health services. If she is that labile in mood then there are very clear issues going on. It is a very difficult illness to treat sometimes but in the majority of cases should be able to managed much better than this. I'm not sure how more money would help and I think she should be talking to either her GP or any mental health professionals that are involved in her care.

Owain_Moneysaver

I helped someone with mental health problems apply for DLA and they were given Low Mobility and Middle Care until 2015.

Mobility because of agoraphobia like symptoms, inability to go shopping, panic attacks in public places, not paying attention and at risk from traffic and other hazards, needing encouragement and motivation to go out for social and support activies, etc

Care because of motivation/remembering to wash, dress, take medication, concentration and safety when cooking, motivation/remembering to eat, etc.

You need to ensure that *every* relevant box on the form is filled in and a supporting statement from a professional is essential; don't rely on what the GP might say.

The idea that cash=care is rather vague; someone can benefit from the mobility element if it means they can take a taxi somewhere they would otherwise not go, or the care element if they can now afford to buy some convenience food which is easier for them to prepare.

lexa34

Has your friend heard anything? I am thinking of appling and I have long term mental health issues.

System

I know someone who was awarded MRC and LRM for bipolar.

Currently waiting to see if i am going to get it also for bipolar (i have care needs, and supervision/mobility needs because of it).

With DLA for focus is the effect of care/mobility needs not the diagnosis itself

Obv. it depends on the severity of the BP, the guide below shows what the DWP use (or at least used to) for guidence

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/medical-conditions/a-z-of-medical-conditions/bipolar/care-and-mobility/

edit: just to let you know i got LRC and LRM after previously getting MRC and LRM.

Anubis_2

My daughter has bi polar - she is 18 and the last few years have been very hard. The ladt two years have been a living hell - meltdowns EVERY day, and some lasting a couple of hours and this has caused fractures within the family and almost lead to family breakdown. However, I didn't claim DLA for her when younger and she doesn't claim DLA now. Her caseworker would have been fulky supportive if we had, and as it reached the stage of 24/7 care/supervison, I am relatively sure an award would have been given.

We are more focused on working with her though, and working with her case worker to help her understand her condition and improve herself. I must say the last six months are showing good signs, she is managing her cindition relatively well - there are episodes but it is not every day. If she continues to improve I am hoping there will never be a need for her to claim DLA.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

vax2002 wrote: »

We are all bi-polar, just some can not control mood swings.

Obviously you completely mis-understand Bipolar. This kind of ignorant attitude causes problems for those of us who genuinely suffer from this illness.

I suggest you spend time researching this mental condition before you post ridiculous comments.