How does someone register disable?

frothy-coffee_2

Hi,
I often hear people say they are registered disabled.

I have a blue badge and am in receipt of DLA, higher rate mobility, middle rate care. I never refer to myself as 'disabled' because I've never registered myself as disabled, instead I tell people I've got mobility problems but feel I may get more help if I'm 'registered disabed'. Can I get a form from the post office?

Richie-from-the-Boro

frothy-coffee wrote: »

Hi,
I often hear people say they are registered disabled.

I have a blue badge and am in receipt of DLA, higher rate mobility, middle rate care. I never refer to myself as 'disabled' because I've never registered myself as disabled, instead I tell people I've got mobility problems but feel I may get more help if I'm 'registered disabed'. Can I get a form from the post office?

HiYa frothy-coffee,

It used to be the case that all Local Authorities keep a register [1948 chronically sick and disabled Act] Friday 30th Mar 2011 – was the 40th Anniversary of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. The services provided by The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 actually began its legislative life as section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948. The Disabled Persons Act 1986 restated and strengthened the provision surrounding the meeting of various needs of disabled people in respect of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

The Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, placed a duty upon local authorities to investigate the level of need for services for people with disability who live in their area, it does not however place a duty to keep a register of those people. Its been superseded many times since by many different types of legislation and no longer is a requirement other than that - deaf and blind registers must be maintained by law.

Anyone wanting to enquire about a disability register should contact their local council not the post office.

Horseunderwater

I don't think there is any way to become "disabled". I too get DLA (HRM/LRC) and I also get ESA and am now in support group for 3 years and I too have a blue badge. However, if you can get these "benefits" it can open up the door to further help with other stuff like getting a stair lift fitted, special loo seat with arms etc( but you need to contact socail services at your council to find out how). That is my next step as I want to get my downstairs loo made a little higher. I know that way back in the 70's disabled people used to have what was termed a green card thingy as my Dad had one and was able to work a full time job with it as he was not too ill and helped his employer cater for a certain number of people, but even then I do not remember there being any actual form filling as such. But then I was only in my first decade. So I am going by what my Dad told me.

frothy-coffee_2

Thankyou both I'll contact the council. I live alone and rent a 1 bed groundfloor housing association flat which only has a bath. I've never been able to get in it all the time I've lived here (3 years), I have a body wash with a fannel instead, but can't wash my hair. A level access shower would be great mebbe I might qualify to have one fitted?

KxMx

Registering as disabled is a very old fashioned thing.

A few Councils still do this but not very many- my local council does this for blind people only.

As for the shower, if using your DLA to pay is not possible then get in touch with social services for an Occupational Therapist assessment. You don't have to be "registered" anything to get help from them. They can ask/tell the HA to install a shower for you should they feel it necessary, and from what you've said it is.

I was only on Incapacity Benefit when they put an over bath shower in for me.

Waits to see the OT can be long or short- mine was a few months whereas Nan& Grandad had to wait 18 months.

Depending on how good you HA is it can be quick or short. My Grandparents had to wait 3 years (excluding the OT wait!) for a wet room/level access shower, despite constant chasing and complaining. Then the HA cut corners and didn't include everything the OT asked for.

So perhaps saving up the DLA and getting it done by a decent contractor may be something to think about.

gingergee

My OT was brilliant. She rang me the morning after my initial referral, then arrived about 3 hours later. Went through all the things i needed help with, then brought all the stuff just after tea!!! They are brill! xx

wogglemaker

I have recently had to do some adaptions ie:-hand rails to to outside path, another to lawn in back garden, and a shower and loo to what is curently a study, , but will eventually be a bedroom. these we all had to pay for as they are means tested. HTH

PS I live in gloucester and the council will only supply small stuff like internal grab rails, shower stools and perching stools.

cabbage

don't forget zero vat

Social Services can do a care assessment for your needs and will do adaptations up to the value of £1000.

Parva

cabbage wrote: »

don't forget zero vat

Social Services can do a care assessment for your needs and will do adaptations up to the value of £1000.

Perhaps this is area dependant? I got my Social Services involved and when I was visited it was immediately apparent to her that I needed adaptations, the result of which was a stairlift and wetroom installed into my Housing Association house by the city council (~£7000). The cap on this benefit was £10,000 (and not £1,000) if I remember correctly.