Hospital and DLA Mobility

fogartyblue.

anguk wrote: »

I can imagine people leaving hospital before they really should just so they don't have to go through the hassle of losing DLA, their car and having to reclaim.

And I can never understand why you can only get DLA and help with mobility if you're under 65? Are you not allowed to be disabled after that age or is it a case of well you're a pensioner now you should expect to find it difficult to get around? I can understand that attitude years ago but most 65 year olds are quite sprightly now unless they've got some sort of problem that they could get at any age.

Yes I agree with you entirely. 65 is the cut off where a disability can affect mobility. After 65 mobility problems are to be expected because of age.

I also wonder if people will discharge themselves early.
It is a disgusting state of affairs especially for the older generation who actually not only lose their car because of being in hospital, but will permanently lose it when they come home because they are now on the wrong side of 65 and can't claim DLA any longer.

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

It really is giving cause to serious concern amongst those that are not very well and getting on in years.

There may come a time when all of this is just too much for some and that they will just not bother asking for review after review after every hospital stay of 4 weeks or more.

It seems that the government's intention is to take up every opportunity now to re-look at as many DLA awards, using hospitalisation as an excuse.
This will affect those of later years as if they had HRM, and happen to become 65, they will only have one chance to claim it back. Those under 65 would be able to keep putting in repeat claims.

It seems that the elderly and infirm are going to suffer more than any other group.

Again, there is no review unless there are improvements/degeneration, it is reinstated immediately and paid from the qualifying dates (overpayments deducted/paid back)

I was in and out of hospital for a few months, never had a problem, no mention of a review.

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Yes I agree with you entirely. 65 is the cut off where a disability can affect mobility. After 65 mobility problems are to be expected because of age.

I also wonder if people will discharge themselves early.
It is a disgusting state of affairs especially for the older generation who actually not only lose their car because of being in hospital, but will permanently lose it when they come home because they are now on the wrong side of 65 and can't claim DLA any longer.

My FIL is over 70, and has had long stays in hospital. His last one being 6 weeks. He did not loose his DLA.

anguk

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Yes I agree with you entirely. 65 is the cut off where a disability can affect mobility. After 65 mobility problems are to be expected because of age.

I also wonder if people will discharge themselves early.
It is a disgusting state of affairs especially for the older generation who actually not only lose their car because of being in hospital, but will permanently lose it when they come home because they are now on the wrong side of 65 and can't claim DLA any longer.

Now to me that seems really daft, I see more younger people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters than I see older people. 65 is still young nowadays 50 years ago you were maybe only expected to live a few years after retirement age but now it's more likely that you've got 20+ years left.

It's quite ironic that you're expected to be fit and healthy enough to work until you're 65 but then you're expected to have mobility problems the day after!

fogartyblue.

Anubis wrote: »

There should be no review if there has been no improvement and the hospital confirm. You can get it reinstated over the phone, confirmation in writing, - I have done it myself recently. They are paid back immediately.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/information__resources/benefits/illness,_injury_and_disability/benefits_and_hospital.aspx

That is not always the case.
The DWP require evidence of needs when you come out of hospital.
Recently I have been made aware that the DWP are now issuing review packs to be completed and returned with this evidence.

The risk is that the review pack is viewed as a renewal.

It may have been possible to just ring up and ask for the money to start up again, but in practice, I am aware that that is not happening any longer.

fogartyblue.

Anubis wrote: »

Again, there is no review unless there are improvements/degeneration, it is reinstated immediately and paid from the qualifying dates (overpayments deducted/paid back)

I was in and out of hospital for a few months, never had a problem, no mention of a review.

But you are required to provide evidence that neither of the above have happened - in other words same as.

Or are you suggesting that the DWP receive a phone call from you, for example, telling them that you are no better but no worse - can I have my money please?

The cases I have seen over the past couple of months suggest that the DWP review the condition after discharge in the light of medical evidence and from the review pack in which you reiterate in detail what the current needs are.

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

That is not always the case.
The DWP require evidence of needs when you come out of hospital.
Recently I have been made aware that the DWP are now issuing review packs to be completed and returned with this evidence.

The risk is that the review pack is viewed as a renewal.

It may have been possible to just ring up and ask for the money to start up again, but in practice, I am aware that that is not happening any longer.

Well if it has changed, various websites need updating and my reinstatement was very recent this year, and my FILs was 5 weeks ago.... No issue with either, and the hospital do not ring to reinstate, the claimant rings.

fogartyblue.

anguk wrote: »

Now to me that seems really daft, I see more younger people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters than I see older people. 65 is still young nowadays 50 years ago you were maybe only expected to live a few years after retirement age but now it's more likely that you've got 20+ years left.

It's quite ironic that you're expected to be fit and healthy enough to work until you're 65 but then you're expected to have mobility problems the day after!

Yes but then it will cost the government a fortune if they were asked to fund mobility through say Attendance Allowance for everybody irrespective of age.

There has to be a cut off point and that is 65.

I do agree with you that when 65 was originally decided it was based on different life expectancy rates as well as 65 being the age that you would receive the State Pension.

As both are going up, I think that the mobility element should reflect it - but it won't it will be too costly!

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

But you are required to provide evidence that neither of the above have happened - in other words same as.

Or are you suggesting that the DWP receive a phone call from you, for example, telling them that you are no better but no worse - can I have my money please?

The cases I have seen over the past couple of months suggest that the DWP review the condition after discharge in the light of medical evidence and from the review pack in which you reiterate in detail what the current needs are.

I provided no evidence, since it was not a review, it was a reinstatement due to being in hospital. Same with my FIL. You do not have to send any evidence in or be reviewed/claim again.

Thevegetarian

Thank you all, I'll get him to give them a ring to find out what has happened. You would think they would let you know by letter whether you are getting it,lost it, or getting it back!