Should she make a claim

samtoby

Thanks everyone it is interesting that I have a lot of different points of view.

devildog

Claire212 wrote: »

Hi,

My partner has Crohns, he also works full time. He has had several metres of his bowl removed, takes several medications, and is currently having infliximab treatment.

The comments of users such as 'Tiddlywinks' really make me mad, as they obviously have no idea about the illness, or the effects it has. If you had Crohns you would know about how it effects you mobility and independence, and dignity.

My belief of DLA is that you use the money you are given to make your life easier, if you suffer from an illness or disability that effects your level of independence and mobility, either employing a carer, or paying for Taxi's to make life easier. A Crohns sufferer should be no different.

My partner and I both work and claim no benefits.

He suffers from a condition that makes him double up in pain several times a day, so badly that he can not walk. Then, the pain eases and he can continue, until the next time. Much of his stomach has been removed and so he can never be too far away from a toilet as he has immediate continence problems. This disease is terribly painful, and effects everything about day to day living.

However, he still goes to work. When he needs to go for his treatment, he must have a day off work (often unpaid, or he uses his holidays, he can get special leave, but it does not pay as much as he would recieve if he worked at full pay.) and travel 20 miles to the nearest hospital and pay for car parking fees, (he needssomeone to be with him and drive him home) it can take all day depending on the clinic.

The reason why someone with Crohns has difficulty claiming DLA? Because it can go into remission and some days you can be less effected than others.

There is always a case for DLA, and you can always claim and get told no. You will never know unless you try. I hope one day it will be recognised as a serious illness, and eligible for DLA when awareness of the condition is raised and people understand what it is like living with it. Just asking for help with added costs others do not have should not be met with dismissal. After all, with most illnesses you have better days than others.

By all means claim. We always rejoice when someone manages sucessfully. After so many are refused.

I have Hypothyroidism. On Thyroxine. I am eligible for free pescriptions, as I need to be on them for life (lifethreatening illness if not treated) people with Crohns, an incurable, painful disease are not. Enough said of an unfair system.

You are so right that people really do not understand the illness or it's impact on life. I don't think it is just because the disease goes into remission that claiming DLA is so difficult but because you really have to be extremely graphic about the condition, how it affects you and how you are helped. People really to not want to admit that there are times when they soil themselves or that they haven't the energy to clean up afterwards etc and unfortunately that is the kind of thing that has to be mentioned when applying for DLA.

pigpen

Definitely claim. The work situation makes no difference. Crohns is really horrible. Mention everything, as has been said before, including the costs of different foods to the rest of the family.

It is wrong they don't get free prescriptions (I never realised they don't before!!) Those with diabetes get free prescriptions.. even when it is caused by their lifestyle! It is a disgrace!

If she needed a carer than they are not able to work elsewhere for more than 18 per week and have to spend 36 hours minimum caring for the recipient of the DLA.

Lil_Me_2

Claire212 wrote: »

The comments of users such as 'Tiddlywinks' really make me mad, as they obviously have no idea about the illness, or the effects it has. If you had Crohns you would know about how it effects you mobility and independence, and dignity.

I think you misunderstood Tiddlywinks post. I believe they were correcting the poster who said "I don't think she'd qualify for DLA though I'm afraid, as her condition doesn't cost her money as such." and not replying to the OP directly.

Tiddlywinks

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

DLA is there for people who have additional care or mobility needs - it's not about whether your condition costs you money - it's about your level of independence and mobility.

https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit/what-youll-get

Claire212 wrote: »

The comments of users such as 'Tiddlywinks' really make me mad, as they obviously have no idea about the illness, or the effects it has. If you had Crohns you would know about how it effects you mobility and independence, and dignity.

My belief of DLA is that you use the money you are given to make your life easier, if you suffer from an illness or disability that effects your level of independence and mobility, either employing a carer, or paying for Taxi's to make life easier. A Crohns sufferer should be no different.

Hold on a minute there... before you climb on your high horse perhaps take the trouble to read IN CONTEXT what I actually said!

Like it or not, DLA is a payment based on individual circumstances (NOT specific diagnosis unless that is terminal cancer) and that person's NEED (or otherwise) of additional care or assistance with mobility. That is a fact and that is all I referred to in the link.

It isn't relevant to the OP how your husband is effected by his condition - that is only relevant to your husband's claim - every claim is taken on its own merit.

KxMx

Sadly it's very hard to fit the criteria for care needs with Crohns disease.

Low rate care would be a stretch and that is being abolished in a few years and the rules tightened up under PIP.

So honestly you could claim and see what they say but I wouldn't bother as I do not think it is worth the stress.

Crohns & Colitis UK have some guidance for DLA here

For the water on the other hand check out her water companies website.

And for prescriptions she could try a claim to get them free on a low income basis or get a pre-payment certificate.

sunnyone

pigpen wrote: »

Definitely claim. The work situation makes no difference. Crohns is really horrible. Mention everything, as has been said before, including the costs of different foods to the rest of the family.

It is wrong they don't get free prescriptions (I never realised they don't before!!) Those with diabetes get free prescriptions.. even when it is caused by their lifestyle! It is a disgrace!

If she needed a carer than they are not able to work elsewhere for more than 18 per week and have to spend 36 hours minimum caring for the recipient of the DLA.

Even most life threatening conditions dont entitle you to free scripts, ashmatics dont get free scripts nor does anyone with heart complaints/failure nor are anti rejection drugs free of charge.

The list for conditions that allow free scripts hasnt been updated for years and it really needs updating to allow all life threatening saving drugs to be supplied free of charge.

daska

samtoby wrote: »

My mother in law has Crohns and although she works part time has been told she can claim DLA for it.

She can walk and she is not disabled as such so I said I really wasn't sure. Does anyone know - I have looked at the forms but it seems to be aiming at whether you have a carer etc.

She has a lot of medication and uses ten tons of water as she goes to the toilet so much, I believe the water board might be able to help with that but unsure as she works 30 hours ish a week when well but does have time off sometimes due to her health condition.

Thanks

What do you mean by "not disabled as such" - do you mean she doesn't use a wheelchair or you don't have to watch her cleaning herself up after a particularly bad episode? I don't look "disabled as such" but I also don't tend to go on about !!!! trickling down my legs as I just go and deal with it as privately as possible. (I don't have Crohns but I am incontinent and very few people outside MSE are aware of that.)

A DLA award is based on your needs - whether or not those needs are met and regardless of how. It's to help cover some of the additional costs caused by your needs.

Tell her to give chapter and verse with numerous examples and let her do it with someone who doesn't regard her as 'not disabled as such'. And to keep a diary to use if she gets called for a medical.

VK-2008

i have about 6 members of my family who have crohns and yes you can claim dla and blue badge etc but remember everyone is being restested by atos etc at the moment so have a look
nothing ventured nothing gained
its one of those illnesses because people dont see it you can look healthy but on the inside not be well at all

Danni-R

Thank you to all the posters. I have it too and agree that the remission thing is difficult to explain. Some days I cant walk and somedays I cant leave the bathroom.

I tried to get a blue badge but the doctors are P in the A about 'handing' them out. I grumbled to them about only giving me a months supply of tablets at a time due to the cost but if they give me any more they worry about the waste. Its crazy to me that myself and other long term illness sufferes (and this include cancer) have to pay for each and every prescription whereas someone with and underactive thyroid was actively encouraged to get paracetamol on her prescription as then it would be free.

If you have any luck claiming please could you let us know. I would love to know how easy/ difficult it is getting simple things like the water bill down. I pay a rate instead of a meter as my washing machine, toilet and shower are always going!