DLA - the purpose

Morglin

All benefits come from taxes and National Insurance.

Some (like IB) are dependant on contributions (if you haven't paid in, you can still get Income Support) and others are not ruled by contributions, but obviously any money any government gets is from taxes etc., that come in.

Disability needs can differ - for those that need major adaptations, an OT can arrange equipment and a Disabled Facilities Grant (means tested) - this of course, is assuming you are not that desperate - in my area, the average wait for an OT to even come out is 7 months - the average major adaptation takes approx 3 years to be agreed and completed.

DLA payments help towards other extra costs that MAY be applicable - extra heat, extra clothes, custom made clothes and shoes, incontinence equipment - and even towards a a holiday - anywhere offering proper disabled access tends to be the higher end of the market, so more expensive.

I am currently caught in the middle of a merry dance between my consultant and Wheelchair Services............for the days I need a wheelie, a manual one is useless because of having to self propel - electric ones are now only available (cut backs) to those with 24/7 needs in one (which I haven't).

My consultant is an idealist - she thinks I should have what she thinks I need, WS apply a different criteria - they have to balance the books.

Meanwhile, I just know that I will have to buy what I need - a lot of money.:rolleyes:

But, it's not all bleak - I now hear that the government feel it will be a good idea to "reward" smackheads who can stay clean for a while with shopping vouchers..........:mad: :mad: :mad:

That will come as a great comfort to those of us who can't even get the most appropriate drugs for our conditions because NICE say they are too expensive.

To means test ALL benefits would be a nightmare and totally impractical.

It would mean that those who hadn't ever worked would be well looked after, and those that had would just be left to make their own arrangements.

On that basis, what would be the point of working and paying at all?

Lin

pudding06

I am on Incapacity Benefit at the moment and have been informed that I may be entitled to DLA but it is stressful enough/hard enough on my illness just claiming for IB without an extra set of forms and hassle.

please do make a claim!!!! the govt relies on people not claiming it, and the money will go somewhere else.

If you cant face the forms yourself why not go to the CAB and ask for help filling them in. I used to do them for people and we were trained to do them and they didnt take as long to do as when you do them yourself.

If you are eligible you would get an award, normally, for a resonable period of time - normally several years if things are unlikely to change in the near future, and it really is worth having.

pudds

earthmother

Morglin wrote:

I am currently caught in the middle of a merry dance between my consultant and Wheelchair Services............for the days I need a wheelie, a manual one is useless because of having to self propel - electric ones are now only available (cut backs) to those with 24/7 needs in one (which I haven't).

My consultant is an idealist - she thinks I should have what she thinks I need, WS apply a different criteria - they have to balance the books.

I can sympathise there.

Here, the waiting list for a wheelchair assessment is 52 weeks (at least it was last summer - one can only hope it's improved) - that's a year between your referral and getting seen - then you have to add on the time to actually get the wheelchair (can be months).

Hubby could really do with an electric one as self propelling is becoming more and more difficult - but here they won't give you an electric chair for outdoor use - so in other words, you can have to chair to make you mobile, but you can't go anywhere in it



Our current 'merry dance' is with the GP - who's never taken on board the true extent of his disability and doesn't seem to believe that hubby is in any pain, let alone the level of pain he actually does suffer - and hence will not prescribe any stronger painkillers or refer him to Pain Management. He actually accused him of having a chemical dependancy on his meds :mad:

lauren_1

For some people it's just a free car or £170.00 a month, just tell the doctor you got sore knees after falling during sports they will put it down as condrimiton patella??? sothing similar any way and hey presto 6 weeks later you have a shiny new car
forgot to mention i am willing to kick anyones kneecaps off when they pull that one, its one of the most commonly used excuses

seven-day-weekend

^I don't thinkk it's QUITE as simple as that....

People have to jump through all sorts of hoops to get medical benefits, including quite intrusive medicals. You don't just say you have a disability.

lauren_1

I have worked for the benefits agency for years, for some people it can be.
If it on their medical records then there is no need to check for certain conditions.
Its a self certified benefit and not everybody gets checked

Zara33

lauren_1 wrote:

For some people it's just a free car or £170.00 a month, just tell the doctor you got sore knees after falling during sports they will put it down as condrimiton patella??? sothing similar any way and hey presto 6 weeks later you have a shiny new car
forgot to mention i am willing to kick anyones kneecaps off when they pull that one, its one of the most commonly used excuses

WOW!!! amazing i'm totally dumb struck here :rolleyes: i have never once known anyone to submit their DLA and to have a new car six weeks later.

taxi97w

Maybe the OP's friend has another (embarrassing) need/problem she is not aware of, and that is what he is getting his DLA for? Colostomies or catheters for example. Jeez, sorry about that!
Seriously, it could be possible.

calleyw

I know that I am going to get flamed. But I personally think that DLA should be means tested.

And before anyone gets on there high horse telling me I have no idea. I do my husband suffered a stroke 4 months ago and only came out of hospital 2 weeks ago. Worse case he could died or be a coma state for the rest of his life.

He has taken more than his fair share out of the pot with being in hospital that long. And having been given a wheel chair and other items he been given.

We can only claim non-means tested benefit as we have too much in savings. So IB and DLA are the only benefits we can get (i say we can get loosely as waiting applications to go through). My husband was temping so no permanent emloyer. So I have to pay everything out on my pittance of wage.

I am not talking about a pittance of say an earnings limit of £15k but higher than that as some disablities need more money. And if you have children like Tax credits you get extra allowances and bigger allowances if the child has disability.

My husband is on 6 tablets a day. And we will get no help with perscription charges so i have just paid out for a yearly pre-paid thingy £95.30 and he has had no income since the week before he had the stroke back in september.

So say £30K.

Personally if I was earning £150K a year I know I could cover more than needs with that. And I would feel uncomfortable claiming it as I don't need it. Would it not be better that people who have more needs and less money get a bigger amount rather than letting everyone have it.

But each to there own.

Yours

Calley

patricia1066

Callyw

I sympathise with you, as you lose out by working, when you have a fulltime carer role also.

Have a chat with a welfare rights adviser who can give you the "what if" figures - if you want you can pm me, and I can give you the benefit levels you are entitled to, if you give up work.

Among these benefits is mortgage interest payments from DSS.

If your husband needs a carer and you want to remain at work apply together for the Independent living fund, they will assess your joint needs and will award a payment so that you can afford to provide suitable care. Remember to ask for carer respite, as no one thinks to ask for a break until they are ready to collapse.

Getting DLA is just the tip of the iceberg, as the needs of someone who has suffered stroke will continue while with treatment and physio he can increase his strength and abilities.