DLA for amputee

sammyjammy

I'm not that knowledgeable on DLA and gov.uk doesn't help me. A friends dad has had his leg amputated due to an embolism at the weekend , the family are very much in shock and further operations are required.

I can't do much to provide practical help due to my location but I wondered if in circumstances like this the 3 month wait for DLA is waived? I know it is for cancer etc. Obviously his leg is not going to regrow and I believe he could be in hospital for a long period of time. Obviously coming to terms with such a thing will also be a long slow process.

Sam

ineed

Terminally ill patients (such as those with terminal cancer) have the 3 month rule waved under the special rules but I don't think there's anything in place like that for any other claimant.

Special rules

Special rules apply to people who are not expected to live longer than six months due to a terminal illness. If a person qualifies for benefit under the special rules provision, they will qualify for personal care automatically even if no help is needed. They do not need to satisfy the three month qualifying period or six month prospective test.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-professional/benefits-and-services/disability-living-allowance/

Katykat

Also ! I think you may not qualify for DLA if you are inhospital. Not too sure on this but might be worth checking. I know if anyone already on it has to go in nospital for a certain length of time you have to inform DWP.

Katykat

Just an aside. If his family are paying car park charges at the hospital they may qualify for special exemption for long stays. Not many people think of this but these charges can really pile up over time

rogerblack

sammyjammy wrote: »

I'm not that knowledgeable on DLA and gov.uk doesn't help me. A friends dad has had his leg amputated due to an embolism at the weekend

Having one leg does not automatically entitle you to DLA.
Having no legs does.

I am unsure if it is possible to now put in a claim - an advanced award - for DLA - that will come into payment around May.

This would require that he is not likely to be able to use an artificial leg.

If come May - when the 3 months qualifying period has run - a new claim would have to be for PIP.
PIP is going to be problematic - if he has no other disability, he may struggle to get enough points for the higher rate of mobility.

sammyjammy

rogerblack wrote: »

Having one leg does not automatically entitle you to DLA.
Having no legs does.

I am unsure if it is possible to now put in a claim - an advanced award - for DLA - that will come into payment around May.

This would require that he is not likely to be able to use an artificial leg.

If come May - when the 3 months qualifying period has run - a new claim would have to be for PIP.
PIP is going to be problematic - if he has no other disability, he may struggle to get enough points for the higher rate of mobility.

Thanks, sadly just heard the news that he is likely to lose his other leg as well , it looks like the three month rule will apply so I'll wait awhile before I mention it, they have enough to worry about for now, I'm sure they aren't even thinking about money/income.