confuesed

Lou199100

Hello there, I've just Applied for JSA yet again because my temp contact ended with Tesco. Now, I'm disabled with half an arm, and livening on my own. I can cook ok and do other things, but I am wanting to up grade me DLA but I'm scared to do so, The reason is if I do, I might lose my benefit and this helps me a lot I'm on the lower rate, which is £80 per month, and if I were to get it to middle rate, i'd be earning about £120+ or something not too sure.

I don't need a carer as I can clean my self ect... lol. All I need is someone to help me cook meals which I can't do. would this help improve my case if I asked them this?

Cheers in advance Lewis.

Lou199100

Also, Sorry not to have put this in the Original post, if I were to get the middle rate, I'd would be able to get free bus fare. which would help me a lot.

nannytone_2

you contradicted yourself.
first you say you can cook and them you cant cook?

you wont get middle rate care. to be eligable you need frequent and regular help throughout the day or night.

Pippin12

I believe if you only need help with cooking that only entitles you to the lowest rate of DLA. Ie the cooking test - where they ask if you're capable of cooking a meal from scratch using fresh ingredients.

Pippin12

nannytone wrote: »

you contradicted yourself.
first you say you can cook and them you cant cook?

you wont get middle rate care. to be eligable you need frequent and regular help throughout the day or night.

Yes, there was a contradiction there... I noticed that too.

Lou199100

Sorry, What I meant to say was, I can cook but it takes me a long time, because I have half an arm. so some dishes are very hard for me.

kingfisherblue

It sounds as though you are on the correct rate, from the information given. Although cooking can take you a long time, you may be able to adapt to compensate for this. For example, instead of making a meal for one, you could make a meal for four, divide it, and freeze three. Then you will have some evenings when you can just lift the frozen meal out and microwave it.

You could also ask the Occupational Therapy department off your local council if there are any aids to help you.

My son cannot lift a kettle without risk, as he has very hypermobile joints and his wrist can give way. To lessen the risk, I have bought a Breville One Cup. It was expensive, but worth it as it lessens the risk of his wrist giving way and him scalding himself or anyone else. I have suggested that his special school invests in one, as they insisted he use a kettle to make a drink (one of the targets for his course was to make a hot drink).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breville-VKJ318-Hot-Variable-Dispenser/dp/B002NGNRHC

rogerblack

If your only disability is one nonfunctional arm, then it's questionable in the extreme if you would get any further award than LRC.

The cooking test is not about cooking specific dishes as such, or desire to cook.
It's a proxy for how disabled you are.
Someone who is unable to cook a meal for one, including chopping, ... is likely to have various other difficulties throughout the day.

If your only disability is one nonfunctional arm, you are not entitled to mid-rate care.