Advice re reporting changes please

scottnsharon

Hi all - my wife and I are both on dla hrc lrm, if anything our mobility and pain while moving around is pretty much the same. We both also have pretty severe mental health issues, but for the last two months or so havent been feeling quite so bad, my wife has complex post traumatic stress disorder/ocds/depression/anxiety etc and I am bi-polar and tend to need hospitalisation for between 3 and 6 months when I have an episode ( normally once or twice a year) last came out just over a year ago. Since joining this site I have seen people saying many times that you have to report the slightest changes (which I agree to in principal) but isnt the very nature of our conditions suggestive of the fact that we will have ups and downs in our symptoms. Sorry to go on but we live alone my wife is officially my carer but we support each other and when we actually get to see a consultant our respective files are huge so its all well documented. In light of ALL this should I call them and say weve been feeling a bit less down/anxious for last couple of months as we have already reported to our doctor? Any advice appreciated - thanks Scott

rogerblack

It depends on the nature of the illness.
If your illness has a normal cycle of variability, and you are just temporarily feeling better, but the history of your illness indicates it's likely temporary, and you've informed DLA of this variability when you claimed, then no, you don't need to report short-term variations.

If however, you continue to feel better, and it is beyond the variability that you outlined in your claim for DLA, then yes, contact them.

For some illnesses this is clearly not the case.
For example, if you're due DLA because you can't walk because you have a sore on your foot, and you have been advised that walking on it will likely cause you severe medical problems, and then you finally get clearance from the doctor that it's OK to walk on it normally again, then you need to report that to DLA immediately, as it's not something that's likely going to get worse again.

scottnsharon

Thanks very much for your usual considered and well informed response Roger.. What you have said makes absolute sense but to be honest I havent got much of a clue about what was put on my form as I was incapable of doing it at the time and it was done by a lady at mind with input from my family. I know theyve had reports from my doctors and every time Ive gone into hospital theyve been told straight away and the appropriate money deducted after so long - then reinstated when discharged. I know youve got better things to do but with this info do you think I should give them a call to check please? Thanks Scott

cattie

I don't see that there is any need to report a slight current improvement of your mood to DWP. Up & down days are part of life when living with a mental illness & who is to say your mood won't suddenly change? You could wake up tomorrow & suddenly be hit with an acute bi-polar episode, so your care needs are still the same. Just because you've been feeling a bit brighter, it doesn't mean you are better.

If you are really worried about your eligibility then have a word with your GP, I'm sure they will reassure you that you are still entitled to your current claim. Also you could ring MIND if you wanted to get a copy of your DLA claim form, as it would have been photocopied by them at the time of helping getting it filled out. It's always best to have a photocopy of any info you send to DLA, especially useful if something goes astray in the post, but always useful for your own info.

Do you see anybody such as a CPN or another member of your local Community Mental Health Team? If so, again they will be able to offer you reassurance, which from your post is I think what you really need.

Just try to make the most of feeling a bit better of late, enjoy it while it lasts!

scottnsharon

Thanks very much for your reply Cattie, everything you said fits with my honest interpretation of things.. No neither of us have a CPN and our mental health team is pretty laughable (has been brilliant in the past) lots of staff changes, and when my Mrs has a crisis I have to literally fight to get her seen as they 'only have one consultant in this area that is able to see her - he is normally booked up for at least 3 months ahead' last time my 3 monthly appointment came around I managed to wheedle round him and his secretary before the app and get him to see wife instead of me. I know the option of A&E is always available but she is scared of this when she is bad. Not to worry, we get by even though my wife carries alot of self-harm scars that could have easily been avoided with the most basic of professional intervention - which really does make me mad. But more importantly what about the poor !!!!!!s that arent well enough not to be fobbed off with no support around them, suicide must seem a more welcome option on a daily basis - they are the one being let down! Sorry to make your ears bleed Cattie but feel I must give you a heartfelt answer... Thanks again for your reply, you have given me the reassurance that I needed (well spotted thanks) and wont bother walking through the minefield just cos I think Ive seen a couple of poppies on the other side... Thanks again for your time -dont worry I wont confuse you for others and hope you bag a bargain soon. Best regards - Scott:D

cattie

I'm so pleased you feel more reassured now Scott. Don't forget, MIND are always there if you need any kind of help with benefit claims or advice & they do have a helpline too in times of mental crisis. Thankfully I've never had to use it myself as the community mental health service in my area is pretty good.

Keep well! Oh & thanks for the smile you gave me when I read the last couple of lines of your post!

scottnsharon

Thanks Cattie - stay well and be lucky - Scott:)