DLA or incapacity benefit for depression/insomnia?

confusedmummy

I am asking this on behalf of my friend. She has been suffering from depression on and off for years but it has come to a head in the past 5 months or so. Would she be eligible for disability living allowance? The only medication she takes is anti-depressants and sleeping pills. She has 2 kids and her husband works but she finds it very hard to deal with her kids during the day because of her depression and tiredness. If she is not entitled to DLA would she be entitled to incapacity benefit? I know these benefits are all changing and would she need to be interviewed by ATOS?

Thanks.

welshmoneylover

confusedmummy wrote: »

I am asking this on behalf of my friend. She has been suffering from depression on and off for years but it has come to a head in the past 5 months or so. Would she be eligible for disability living allowance? The only medication she takes is anti-depressants and sleeping pills. She has 2 kids and her husband works but she finds it very hard to deal with her kids during the day because of her depression and tiredness. If she is not entitled to DLA would she be entitled to incapacity benefit? I know these benefits are all changing and would she need to be interviewed by ATOS?

Thanks.

I don't wish to sound unkind or unhelpful, but if she finds it difficult to deal with her kids during the day, perhaps she can think about a part time job to get out of the house and give her some 'me time' so she can maybe start to look forward to getting out of bed.

Making new friends and hearing about new experiences might help lift her mood.

nannytone_2

DLA is awarded for care/mobi;ity needs, not tp help someone care for their children.
can your friend wash/dress themselves? can they prepare a meal for themselves?
can they go out alone?

there are no new claims allowed for incapacity benefit, it is being replaced by ESA. if your friend has paid enough NI contributions in the past few years, then they may be able to claim for contributions based ESA, otherwise the fact that her partner works, would rule her out from applying for income based ESA.

to claim ESA, she would need supporting ecidence and her doctor would have to sign her as 'unfit for any type of work'

BigAunty

Here are good links to explain the process for DLA and ESA (the replacement for IB).

DLA can be received by those with mental health issues who suffer care and mobility issues through it and I do believe that some people with depression receive it.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/index.htm

confusedmummy

welshmoneylover wrote: »

I don't wish to sound unkind or unhelpful, but if she finds it difficult to deal with her kids during the day, perhaps she can think about a part time job to get out of the house and give her some 'me time' so she can maybe start to look forward to getting out of bed.

Making new friends and hearing about new experiences might help lift her mood.

Yes, I agree in principal but she is in such a bad state that I wouldn't be surprised if she needs to be hospitalised soon. She really is feeling so so low and obviously her husband will have to stop work soon if she is not able to cope much longer. I am trying to help as much as I can but I have a family of my own.

skater_kat

get her to the doctors to review the medication.

skibadee

Her medication definetly needs reviewing....could be she needs something else too.
I take anti-depressents, sleeping tablets and Diazepam ( Used to take Tamazepam ).....depression can very disabling as can anxiety ( which I also suffer from ) but with the right medication and support you can maintain a normalish life, I manage to work and live/cope with help/support ...its not easy, but it is possible.
Staying home all the time does actually make you feel worse.

I doubt she will be entitled to anything I'm afraid.

Hightower13

I have depression and anxiety and take anti-depressants and I am on ESA. I did apply for DLA but the one thing which made me unable to get it was 'not needing any help to make myself meals' which is untrue so if I was going to apply again I would add that I can't make myslef meals. Aslong as your friend gets a sick paper/note from their GP saying they are unfit for work, she can go on ESA for uo to 13 weeks and then usually she will get called to see a medical professional like a nurse for a medical to see if he/she is capable of work or not. At this stage for people with depression/anxiety, I know a lot of people who have failed the medical, eventhough their GP says they are unable to work and then had to go onto JSA. I hope I am making sense and giving you some insight for your friend.

skater_kat

be warned that some GP's will not sign you off for depression for long term. there is a big push towards treating anxiety and depression with combintation of medication and talking therapies, and promoting excercise and meaningful occupation. A lot of GP's will say that being in some kind of work is more beneficial to recovery from depression and will very much err on the side of caution when asked for a long term sick note. its all about the 'fit note' these days.