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

lesandflynny

Hello PabloNeruda

I am sorry but this isn't the best news I have posted on here.

My Mum had COPD and when she was diagnosed we were told it was now a recognised terminal illness in the UK. Has your friend been told this, there is no cure and there are only certain things one can do to prolong life or make a better quality of life. However, the diagnosis passported mum to the highest rates of DLA care and mobility immediately, whitout medicals etc.

There are lots of things you can do to help your friend have a better quality of life like getting an oxygen machine for her house so she does not have to order bottle after bottle fromt he chemist.

My Mum lived quite a while after her diagnosis but she was very poorly toward the end. There is a growing awareness of this disease in this country now so advice your friend to apply immediately, stating when she was diagnosed, who diagnosed her and she could even claim back pamyments.

Sorry this is shocking information. If I can offer any practical advice about aides and support please let me know.

alba37

lesandflynny

Just wanted to say I was so sorry to read of your loss, I don;t know anything about COPD and was unaware we were talking about a terminal illness.

If I remember correctly the doc just signs the form under special rules and the patient doesn't need to see it.

The link for DLA on line HERE, the link is on the page at Download a claim form

jobbingmusician

It hasn't been said clearly on this thread, and may be less relevant to terminal illness, but GET HELP WITH COMPLETING YOUR DLA FORM. This applies even to highly-educated people - DLA forms use a language which relates only tangentally to English and the questions need deciphering, and completion, by an expert if at all possible.

Use your CAB or local advice centre.

rare_stuff

some good advice given above, the best being to get expert advice filling in the DLA form. And always state what can't be done, not what can be.

The reason I'm posting is that it hasn't been mentioned that in most cases DLA will only be granted after examination by a Doctor of their choice, usually at a medical centre specifically for examining DLA applicants. If you cannot physically get to the centre, even in a taxi, they can arrange for someone to visit and examine the applicant.

Morglin

Some disabilities/illnesses will generally get a favourable DLA award without an EMP examination.

These are usually cases where the physical evidence is there, where the prognosis/progression is generally very standard.

(If a doctor or consultant advises that a disability is terminal, then DLA/AA can be "fast-tracked" - the form comes with the claim packs.)

Others, where the severity can vary, or where the DLA unit are not satified with what is on the forms, will generally end up with them referring it for a EMP.

COPD is very variable - some people find it very controllable, others find it incapacitating - the scope can be anything between severe chest infections and something like Emphysema.

For anyone unable to get to the centre, there is provision for a home visit, but there would need to be GP evidence to confirm that your attendance is not really possible.

DLA forms are very long winded, and the information needed on them is very precise - that's why anyone that's not a professional should get help to fill them out.

Whatever the claim is for, I would advise that a person get as much medical back-up as possible - this can be from consultants, GP's, OT's - in fact, any agency that helps you.

That way lays the best chance of a favourable award.

Lin

lesandflynny

Hello PabloNeruda

How are things with your friend, did you speak to them about the DLA claim?

PM if I can be of any assistance, I am more than happy to let you quote my Mums case, area, Dr etc who passported her to highest benefits after this diagnosis.

Good luck

auditbabe

keep copies of the forms so you always have then for reference very handy when when you have to reapply

ohreally

lesandflynny wrote:

I am sorry but this isn't the best news I have posted on here.

My Mum had COPD and when she was diagnosed we were told it was now a recognised terminal illness in the UK. Has your friend been told this, there is no cure and there are only certain things one can do to prolong life or make a better quality of life. However, the diagnosis passported mum to the highest rates of DLA care and mobility immediately, whitout medicals etc.

The op's friend requires to get a DS 1500 form completed. This will fast-track the claim and raise the level of award.

lesandflynny

Cheers Ohreally

Hopefully the OP will pick all this info up

cabbage

rare_stuff wrote:

some good advice given above, the best being to get expert advice filling in the DLA form. And always state what can't be done, not what can be.

The reason I'm posting is that it hasn't been mentioned that in most cases DLA will only be granted after examination by a Doctor of their choice, usually at a medical centre specifically for examining DLA applicants. If you cannot physically get to the centre, even in a taxi, they can arrange for someone to visit and examine the applicant.

I want to echo the above post. Unfortunately to get dla at the correct rate (or at all) you need to know how the people who decided your cliam do their jobs.

For DLA claims I would suggest you use the CAB or a Welfare Rights Worker who has experience of filling in these forms day in/day out. Its often not what you write but they way you write it. For example, everything has to be qualified and if you don't use special equipment, then why not. Eg Commode - no one to empty it, bedroom too small and I would trip over it, privacy if its in the front room etc. You have to keep repeating yourself and be consistent - if you can't get out of a chair without assistance then it would follow that you will need help getting on and off the toilet. If you have problems with your arms say so at every opportunity as this would hinder you washing, dressing, going up stairs (hanging onto banister), getting in and out of bed etc etc

If you are claiming under the terminal illness rules then there is a tick box towards the front of the form. Welfare Rights people I have spoken to say that the DWP go out of their way to process claims under these rules as fast as they can.