Any doctors out there? Medical question (re disability benefits)

PabloNeruda

A friend of mine suffers from Chonic Obstruction of the Pulmanory Disease. She get exhausted after a very short walk, and has no trouble breathing in but it is always very difficult to breath out. Yesterday she told me she has been unable to claim any kind of disability benefits at all (we happened to be talking about road tax at the time). This seemed a little odd to me, as I would have thought something as debilitating as this would warrant help from the government. Do you have any advice that I could give her in this regard?
Kind Thanks.

shameless-about-money

She needs to apply for DLA. DLA is awarded for chronic pain on walking, walking difficulties and breathing difficulties amongst others.

Has she applied for DLA?

She can apply online.

PabloNeruda

By the sound of it, she was saying that she has applied for disability but without success. It just seems odd because it's clearly a disease that incapacitates her quite significantly.

nogginthenog

The onus is on the claiment the prove he or she is unwell,which in todays climate of scepticisum is not as easy as it sounds.
A lot of GP'S sit on the fence when it comes to beefits,you really need to find a sympathetic doctor who will write you a letter,at the last resort you could undertake a BUPA medical but this will cost you!
And one more thing if you have never filled out benefit forms before,take advice,filling the forms out is a aquired skill in itself.
BEST OF LUCK.

shameless-about-money

When I got my DLA I didn't have to prove anything - my medical notes told the whole story. I didn't even have an interview!

nogginthenog

I did myself have a medical for my DLA at home,and i am glad i did,as he wrote me a nice account of my medical conditions.
But times are changing,just ask the people who try to claim IB,filling out forms is not enough for many people.

alba37

When you are ill it makes it so much harder to claim what you are entitled to. If she has relatives or close friends like yourself around maybe someone could help her. So many people are refused when they first apply, it is easy to give up without help or support. She needs to try again.

seven-day-weekend

When applying for any Disability benefits, she needs to state what her condition is like at its worst. If she says, 'oh yes' I can walk a little bit' they will take that as she can walk. She needs to say something like 'most days I can only walk to the front door before having to sit down' or whatever her condition demands.

If she can only climb three stairs without getting breathless, then she can't climb stairs. If she can't do her shopping without help, then she can't do her shopping.

Say how her disability limits her, not what she can do.

changkra

shameless-about-money wrote:

She needs to apply for DLA. DLA is awarded for chronic pain on walking, walking difficulties and breathing difficulties amongst others.

Has she applied for DLA?

She can apply online.

Could you post the link pleaase

jem170884

The problem with DLA is that ( I found this out when I tried to claim) the way they look at it is that if you can wash yourself un aided and walk to the shops without dropping dead then you are apparently fine!!! You need to give the examples of the worst day you have experienced in this illness.

Morglin

DLA is about care needs and mobility problems - the medical diagnosis is irrelevant.

She needs to get a DLA claim pack, find a Welfare Rights worker to help her do the forms (via the CAB or local council) and ensure that her GP will back her up with how COPD affects her life.

COPD can vary hugely - so she'll need medical confirmation.

Lin