DLA and Mobility

mattblue

Hi all,

Posting on behalf of my 63 father with regards to the above.

My father is quite a large chap and has significant issue walking going up steps, getting off the sofa, doing shoe laces up etc etc.

When I say he struggles with mobility he has to crawl up the stairs to go to bed otherwise he has to stop every 20 seconds before lifting each step due to the pain in his joints, hes unsteady on his feet to the stage where hes had officers asking if hes had one or two many ales !

He really struggles going down stairs and is always in pain due to the swelling on his legs...walking any distance is a great issue also and a simple 3 min walk will take dad some considerable time longer

Dad will be living on his own shortly and is worried about this issue with his mobility.

He is on medication for his legs being swollen at all times and a few other ailments.

My queries are will he be entitled to any assistance with DLA and Mobility allowance ?

Dads a proud chap worked since 15 and has never claimed a penny.

He is not looking get a car out of this as he doesnt think its right working fulltime, he just wants assistance with parking so he can park closer to places.

Will be interested to hear peoples thoughts.

Cheers

Matt

kingfisherblue

Your dad might be eligible for DLA, which has two parts - care and mobility. The only way to find out is to apply.

It is also possible to get a blue badge without being in receipt of DLA. You apply at your local council and they can send you for a medical.

Has your dad seen his doctor about his mobility problems? I know you say he is quite a large chap, but if he is having such significant problems, he should really see his GP to rule out any underlying causee. If it is purely down to his size, his GP can help with weight loss.

mattblue

I will be going down to the local social services to arrange an assessment for dad.

Dad has already been turned down for the blue badge 2 years ago but he completed the form himself and since then his condition has got worse

He has gone to the doctors and is on various tablets, he also takes 6 to 8 pain killers a day for his leg pain

Horseunderwater

When you say your Dad is large - do you mean morbidly obese - Not trying to be horrible - I am as well. Have all same issues as your Dad.
I get HRM DLA for that and LRC as I have some trouble with cooking a meal (main one).
Suggest that you download the DLA application form from Direct gov website and hold it on your PC to fill in. You can save each page as you fill it out and go back and change it as many times as necessary.
Obviously if he cannot get upstairs, but will be on his own, will it be in a house or is he moving to flatlet type place on ground floor? What DLA is for is to help with any associated extra costs that a person needs for either care or mobility. You mentioned that walking was the main problem, how many meters before he has to stop to rest with a stick or other aide or on his own can he do? If less than 50, he should qualify and if he has pain all the time, which I should think he does due to the leg swelling (oedema), then that will further aide him getting HRM DLA. When you complete the form, you need to carefully read the question and fill it in using the terms they use in the question, so where it asks if you drag a leg or are likely to fall down have to stop and rest every x meters - describe it exactly as it is in plain simple terms. Tell them all the medications he takes and for what - Diabetes? Heart? Blood pressure?
As to blue badge - ring your local county council and ask about one being issued and what current criterior is. It has changed lots since I applied in 2011 and got what is called a discretionary one. (Next one should be automatic as I now get HRM DLA.) GP may be needed to help on the BB application.
If he is successful before he is 65 I think he may be able to keep the DLA and not go on the PIP route when that starts - if he will be over 65 by the time the PIP is fully implemented across UK. I know when I applied for DLA, they sent a form to my GP who told them what was what and how bad I was getting/had got. So I got it inside of 6 weeks of the apllication being sent and no medical.

mattblue

Many Thanks for this information, its very much appreciated.

My dad is around 23/24 stone and is around 5'9...hes always been a big lad since his early teens.

Ill be popping along to the social service department in the morning to pick up a form for my father and to arrange the home assessment, an added bonus is that I have is that my uncles partner was head of social services for the local council and has only just retired so she stated that she would be able to assist with forms.

He is able to get upstairs but very slowly and very painfully.i.e struggles to lifts his feet...he limits to twice a day once when hes going down and once when hes going to bed. Most of the time I observe him crawling up the stairs with his hands to make it easier for himself

He will be moving to a domer bungalow on his own but everything is downstairs for him.

The bottom parts of his legs are purple and in his worse state when his ankles feet and legs swell up he really struggles to do hardly any distance without stopping....hes always putting his hands on things the keep his balance.

He has taken tumbles now and again and several misses by putting his hands out to stop himself falling.

I know he is on water tables, pain killers and tablets for blood pressure, maybe other also that I am unaware of.

Could you advise how long the process took ie from application to being awarded HLDA ?

Thanks again

Matt

Horseunderwater

mattblue wrote: »

Many Thanks for this information, its very much appreciated.

My dad is around 23/24 stone and is around 5'9...hes always been a big lad since his early teens.

Ill be popping along to the social service department in the morning to pick up a form for my father and to arrange the home assessment, an added bonus is that I have is that my uncles partner was head of social services for the local council and has only just retired so she stated that she would be able to assist with forms.

He is able to get upstairs but very slowly and very painfully.i.e struggles to lifts his feet...he limits to twice a day once when hes going down and once when hes going to bed. Most of the time I observe him crawling up the stairs with his hands to make it easier for himself

He will be moving to a domer bungalow on his own but everything is downstairs for him.

The bottom parts of his legs are purple and in his worse state when his ankles feet and legs swell up he really struggles to do hardly any distance without stopping....hes always putting his hands on things the keep his balance.

He has taken tumbles now and again and several misses by putting his hands out to stop himself falling.

I know he is on water tables, pain killers and tablets for blood pressure, maybe other also that I am unaware of.

Could you advise how long the process took ie from application to being awarded HLDA ?

Thanks again

Matt

Hi Matt
Sounds like he is only slightly up on the weight I am currently. Has same issues as well. So def go for the DLA route and if he can get it, it will open more doors to other stuff and help. And I'm 5'8".
I sent my form off in Jan and it was acknowledged by 3rd Feb and the award letter came on 9th March. First thing I did was retax car and get it reclassified as a disabled banded vehicle, saved me £215 there. Car tax was due end of April and it is now end March. Got a small rebate as well.
Social services can get him what I think they call an occupational needs assessment for his new home. Does he need a larger loo with raised seat and a wet room? That sort of thing. What kind of rollator or stick?
I never thought that at 47 years old that I'd be this ill or disabled, but it has happened and I am dealing with it as best I can.

mattblue

Will get onto them asap...has to be done - as said hes too proud/stubborn but enoughs enough he needs help

Out of interest is it HLDA where you are eligible for a mobility car ?

Not sure on the loo...we are renovating a bungalow which me and my wife have just bought and are fitting a walk in shower for him.

He uses a stick that hes bought himself....again something he needs to look in properly.

I know what you mean re illness - never had any illness's before 4 years ago since then I suffer with the lovely condition of Acid Reflux and gallstones....great fun !