Fibromyalgia/CFS/ME & benefits

Cpt.Scarlet

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Being in work should NOT be a barrier to gaining DLA.

Unless doing so directly conflicts with a claimants stated care or mobility needs.

GlasweJen

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

Being in work should NOT be a barrier to gaining DLA. The benefit is based upon you care and mobility needs.

In fact in the form there is no part that asks if you are in employment, for how many hours per week, what you job entails and details of you employer. So if there is no section on this why are you being declined DLA based on employment?

Tribunals should be asking questions based upon your form.

The way I view this is:

Children get DLA and go to school. If they can go to school and manage that then should they be getting DLA???

This is no different to an adult working and getting DLA.

If adults are being declined DLA because they work then children should be automatically declined for attending school.

Schools are often asked how a disabled child copes when it's there.

Some people who claim DLA don't report changes that allow them to work and the DWP can see if someone is paying class 1 NI and investigate from there. I got a letter asking me what my job title was, the nature of my work, the care needs I had at work and the name of someone who could verify what I'd written.

I'm all for these checks. On the face of it my job does conflict with my disability except that I don't do what people think I do so there is really no contradiction at all. I've never been to a tribunal for myself (had one reconsideration out of 4 awards) but I've been to some for clients and these sorts of things do get asked quite regularly.

GlasweJen

I should add, this letter dates back to my 3rd award which I got when I was 20 (5 years ago), it's not a recent thing at all.

Blackpool_Saver

I am sorry if you found my post offensive, I am still not convinced that a social worker would not have rudimentary understanding of DLA, AND if they know they have issues with spelling then at uni would have been advised to use a spell checker. Again sorry, but not convinced. Also like a previous responder said, could you not ask a colleague ?
I do however believe that you are ill and in need of help from DLA, I hope you get that help. Good luck.

A.S.S eh ? hmmm, I don't think so

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

GlasweJen wrote: »

Schools are often asked how a disabled child copes when it's there.

Some people who claim DLA don't report changes that allow them to work

Some parents also don't report changes in their children's disabilities that allow them to do various things, including attending school, clubs, hobbies etc.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

I read somewhere that the DWP were concerned that DLA was a barrier to work. It clearly is when people who do work and claim it; while contributing to society are being put under the microscope of entitlement to it.

Obviously somoene on Higher Rate Mobility while working as a football coach or similar situations is obviously questionable.

I know somone with Autism that gets LRM HRC and works albeit just 20 hours a week. Their care and mobility needs don't stop simply because they are in a place of work. In fact I would argue their needs are increased.

Similarly if somoene with CFS is working and this causes them fatigue, pain and symptoms that cause care needs then clearly working is increasing their needs. Perhaps DLA claiments that are not working have less needs than the working claimants and therefore should be reviewed en masse as their disability impact should arguably be less from sitting about all day doing nowt.

GlasweJen

Personal care needs? I suppose when I'm working I need to shower every morning etc which isn't something I do on my days off. When I'm actually at work I still need to use the toilet but I don't prepare food there, everything is either bought in (which is what everyone else does so I'm not at a disadvantage there), chucked in a microwave or in a toaster. I don't carry my coffee about with me, it will sit on a desk or in an area I walk past a lot so that I can grab and gulp on the go.

I don't think that DLA is a hindrance to work, it gave me access to working tax credits earlier than I would have without it, it also passported me to the front of the queue for access to work support so no bad thing there. I think there is a perception that it's for people who are out of work which stops a lot of claimants from seeking work but the daily mail doesn't help that.

As for the contradictions, it doesn't need to be a major one like the 5 a sides coach in a wheelchair. Technically school dinner ladies are unable to claim as they cook and prepare meals for others, blackouts sufferers can't do any driving work (or commute in a car), people who claim that even with hearing aids they can't cross a road but who then answer the phone occasionally at work would also be scrutinised.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

GlasweJen wrote: »

Personal care needs? I suppose when I'm working I need to shower every morning etc which isn't something I do on my days off. When I'm actually at work I still need to use the toilet but I don't prepare food there, everything is either bought in (which is what everyone else does so I'm not at a disadvantage there), chucked in a microwave or in a toaster. I don't carry my coffee about with me, it will sit on a desk or in an area I walk past a lot so that I can grab and gulp on the go.

I don't think that DLA is a hindrance to work, it gave me access to working tax credits earlier than I would have without it, it also passported me to the front of the queue for access to work support so no bad thing there. I think there is a perception that it's for people who are out of work which stops a lot of claimants from seeking work but the daily mail doesn't help that.

As for the contradictions, it doesn't need to be a major one like the 5 a sides coach in a wheelchair. Technically school dinner ladies are unable to claim as they cook and prepare meals for others, blackouts sufferers can't do any driving work (or commute in a car), people who claim that even with hearing aids they can't cross a road but who then answer the phone occasionally at work would also be scrutinised.

And how is your cooking ability when you get home after work? If someone with CFS after a day at work is too fatigued to do the evening meal then this should be taken into account. Either that or recommend the persons resigns and claims ESA. The DWP need to take a choice. Pay DLA to people who work and get wages and pay tax and NI or if they think their disability switches off at work make them resign and claim DLA and ESA.

GlasweJen

To be fair there are some healthy workers who are too fatigued to prepare a meal when they get in from work, that's why every village in the UK has a pizza place, a chinese, an indian or something along the lines that deliver hot food to your door for a price. If the DWP started dishing out DLA awards on those grounds then we'd all be snookered.

Also there is a third option, you could always look for a more suitable job for your disability.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

GlasweJen wrote: »

To be fair there are some healthy workers who are too fatigued to prepare a meal when they get in from work, that's why every village in the UK has a pizza place, a chinese, an indian or something along the lines that deliver hot food to your door for a price. If the DWP started dishing out DLA awards on those grounds then we'd all be snookered.

Also there is a third option, you could always look for a more suitable job for your disability.

Perhaps you should tell that to the person I know with Autism. They have help with personal care that gets them to work 4 hours. Their Autism doesn't turn off at work nor does it switch off after work. The way you talk they may as well make DLA an out of work benefit which it isn't. Why do you claim it and work?

Did you know that out of all people in the UK with Autism less than 10% actually have some form of paid employment? If they can have DLA for their care and mobility needs and have paid employment as a result I am all for it. I would rather DLA be spent on disabled working people than disabled people sat at home all day on their derry air.

Also the fatigue experienced by a CFS sufferer is vastly different from the tiredness experienced by a non CFS sufferer. Do you have that condition to make such a snap judgement? Also DLA isnt based on take away rubbish it is based on the preparation of a proper meal from scratch. The Autistic worker can do a routine job using a computer but can't cook a meal without danger. It is the nature of Autism. He also has healthy food due to being on anti-psychotics which cause weight gain which is exacerbated by junk food. He also wouldnt phone up for food nor would he go in a take away to get food. He can't get groceries from the supermarket due to sensory overload but he can do a paid job working in a quiet room on a computer (computers are his forte) doing a routine task with accuracy.