DLA and Epilepsy

KateSpade

Total Newbie..

I am not on benefits, but recently it has been suggested to me that i try to claim DLA because i have Epilepsy, it can be severe at times, others none existent.

I'd like to hear about what happens when you apply?
Does anyone have epilepsy that receives it?

Is it worth me applying or am i waisting my time?

Be nice please.

[Deleted User]

Hi Kate and welcome to mse

I have had epilepsy for 14 years now and had DLA for 13.5 years for my epilepsy,remember that DLA is for care and or mobility issues NOT a medical condition,i have on average 3 grand mal seizures per week and a number of petit mal seizures daily and get no warning of either,i get middle rate care dla and low rate mobility,basically the care part as i need constant supervision throughout the day(i never have seizures during the night),the low rate care because in their words i need help in places that are unfamiliar to me(in reallity i dont go out on my own ever)
I hope this gives you some indication of what and why?If you are unsure as to applying or not my advice would be to apply
have you ever looked at this site for help(they also have a free forum and helpline)?
http://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/
if i can be of further help please ask
john

KateSpade

Ahh, no i haven't even thought about that, like i said when my epilepsy goes away, i like to not think about it too much, its gone away for 3 years before, but the other week i had 4 seizures in 1 week, and one of them ended up with 10 stitches in my face, and a lovely scar and half an eyebrow missing!

Thanks for your reply, I've looked at the form, it says something about getting a statement from someone who looks after you? Is that what you did?
Do you work if you don't mind me asking? I don't want to apply and them say oh well, you work so obviously you don't need supervision, which sometimes i need it 24/7.

[Deleted User]

the statement can be from someone who lives with you (as an example),sadly i am unable to work due to the frequency of my seizures,but you can work and claim dla(and its tax free)
you only have to have a need(for supervision as an example)you dont actually have to be getting the help you need(otherwise it would be unfair to people who live alone)
my dla as an example helps pay for the taxis i need as i cant drive any more,it also goes some way to compensating for the fact that my income now is still only 50% of what it was 15 years ago

GlasweJen

I don't have epilepsy I take non epileptic seizures, usually 3 or 4 a week and I got the same rate of DLA as Woodbine for it (I currently get high mobility but that's completely unrelated).

If you've went "years" without seizures then had some a few weeks ago then you're not entitled to DLA at the moment. For DLA you need to have had the need for supervision (that's the usual need in cases of epilepsy) for at least 3 months and it should be reasonably thought to be required for the next 6 months.

As a general rule any seizures that have a prior warning are not counted as you are able to get yourself somewhere relatively safe (off of roads and away from sharp things), also you need to have seizures at leasttwice a week for them to consider the need for supervision to be great enough.

[Deleted User]

Jen hi,i wasnt aware of the "twice a week rule",for esa you get 15 points for one seizure(or simlar)once a week

Koicarp

http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/entitlements/disability-living-allowance

GlasweJen

I think it harks back to the twice a week incapacity thing. I actually found it out at a tribunal years ago where the claimant was awarded MC LM but appealed as they wanted higher care, the tribunal found that they were over awarded as the claimant only had 1 seizure a week so didn't need constant supervision. The final award was low care with no mobility as the person couldn't safely chop veg.

MrsManda

Are you a danger to yourself or others when you have a seizure?
Do you get any warning? How often do you have seizures?

A decision maker for DLA will take into consideration the frequency of your seizures, the type of seizures you have, whether you have 'useful' warning e.g. you get enough notice to be able to get safe, whether you have a history of injuring yourself or others due to your epilepsy and the nature/duration of any pre and post seizure behaviour. (e.g. if you have a seizure are you able to function safely once it's over or do you need supervision for hours/days while you recover?)
It may help you to have a look at the decision makers guides:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/medical-conditions/a-z-of-medical-conditions/epilepsy/care-and-mobility/

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch61.pdf

I had LRC and LRM for a year recently as my epilepsy stopped being controlled so I started having 3-4 absences a day without notice which left me confused and unsafe going out or cooking without supervision. Because the situation had lasted over 3 months and the neurologist thought it'd take at least a further 6 months to sort out I received DLA until it was controlled.

I still have grand mal seizures every few months but I get notice so I am not eligible for DLA

samdd

Interesting thread.... Just to say that i have suffered epilepsy for the last 2 years. I don't have any warning whatsoever and suffer out of body experiences and hallucinations. All the seizures i have had so far are based around death and a feeling of pending doom within the sizure. A recent example would be while i was in town doing some shopping, when suddenly i found myself being chased across a field by a woman, dressed as if she was from the 12 century, with an ax. I fell over and found myself watching the axe, in slow motion, plummeting downwards into my forehead. I always suffer double incontinence while in the seizure.

I applied to dla and was awarded MRC & LRM for 5 years. That said, i have just submitted further medical evidence, and asked them to take another look at the mobility component as i feel i need a blue badge so that i have somewhere safe and private to recover from an episode. It takes about 10 minutes after a seizure for me to be able to process logic and to find somewhere safe to change my clothes. It can often be pretty embarrassing to say the least. The Cops initially treated me as if i was drunk once!! :mad:

Im not sure that i will qualify for HRM but hopefully, somehow i will qualify for a Blue badge.

[Deleted User]

initially 13 years ago i got hrm but on review 2 years later it was lrm and has been since(plus mrc)
i assume you dont as you shouldnt but do you drive?