Help with benefits...

cashclown_2

Hi,

I'm looking for a bit of help really.

I suffer from type 1 diabetes (for which i take insulin and tablets) Epilepsy (Photosensitive, with seizures) and also underactive thyroid, phlebitis and diabetic retinopathy of both eyes.

These things limit mobility to some extent (I can't drive because of the epilepsy, and the phlebitis causes pain in my legs on longer distances)

The question i have is; do you think i could claim disability living allowance for these conditions? I live alone, and have to travel downstairs for the loo, which can sometimes be a problem, particularly if i have low blood sugars or a seizure.

People have said i might be able to claim this, as well as other benefits, but I'm not sure what I'm entitled to, as when i look online, lots of the benefits are based on income (even though over 75% of my wage goes on mortgage and council tax)

Looking forward to help from the great people here

McKneff

I really dont think you would fit the criteria for DLA to be honest, you say yourself about phlebitis that it is painful on longer distances
DLA is for care and mobility, you dont have a problem with shorter distances so It's unlikely.

cosmic-dust

So has anything changed since you posted about your DLA claim last year?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/34722931#Comment_34722931

CashClown wrote: »

Hi,

I need some help regarding claiming DLA. I have type 1 diabetes with complications (diabetic background retinopathy in both eyes) Underactive thyroid and photosensitive epilepsy. I work full time in an office, but need help if i am walking long distances, am out in unfamiliar surroundings etc...

Submitted my claim to DWP and they rejected it, saying i wasn't needy enough to get anything. I decided to reapply after hearing that somebody down the road from where we live is claiming the highest rate, simply for being obese...

Does anyone have any tips to help me fill the forms in to maximise my chances of getting at least the basic rate? I cannot drive and so use the bus to travel everywhere, which is a big expense in itself...

cosmic-dust

big_nose wrote: »

Get your leaky diabetic !!!!! down locual social services office and urinate everywhere making it clear your incontinent, YOU WINEO

Post reported.

rogerblack

DLA - low rate care - if you cannot safely and reliably cook a meal from scratch, including chopping, due to for example seizures.
Medium rate care may be applicable if you are at risk due to seizures throughout the day, and this risk is significant.

Low-rate mobility if you are at risk when outside, to the point where you need assistance.
If you have warning of seizures, then this generally makes an award less likely, as you are expected to take measures to avoid hazard.

http://www.administrativeappeals.tribunals.gov.uk/aspx/view.aspx?id=2474 discusses frequency and severity of seizures, and how they may apply to the test for high-rate mobility.

Antispam

Ignore big nose they are a numpty

cashclown_2

cosmic-dust wrote: »

So has anything changed since you posted about your DLA claim last year?

Hi Cosmic,

The only change is the Phlebitis and change in living circumstances (Split with partner who used to live in same house)

BigAunty

Your inability to drive due to a medical condition will not have any influence on the mobility side of DLA.

Here is the basic criteria for care and mobility

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport/dg_10011816

For mobility, at the basic rate it is

If you have mobility needs

To get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, your disability must be severe enough for you to have any of the following walking difficulties, even when wearing or using an aid or equipment you normally use:

• because of a physical disability, you are unable or virtually unable to walk without severe discomfort, or at risk of endangering your life or causing deterioration in your health by making the effort to walk
• you have no feet or legs
• you are assessed to be both 100 per cent disabled because of loss of eyesight and not less than 80 per cent disabled because of deafness and you need someone with you when you are out of doors
• you are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and qualify for the highest rate of care component
• you need guidance or supervision most of the time from another person when walking out of doors in unfamiliar places
• you are certified as severely sight impaired by a consultant ophthalmologist, and you were aged between 3 and 64 on 11 April 2011; you must also have a best corrected visual acuity of less than 3/60, or you must have a best corrected visual acuity of 3/60 or more but less than 6/60 together with a complete loss of peripheral visual field and a central visual field of no more than ten degrees in total

There are two rates of the mobility component depending on how your disability affects you:
Lower rate


If you need guidance or supervision out of doors.

Higher rate


If you have any of the other, more severe, walking difficulties.