Appealing the Bedroom Tax

princessdon

panther_87k wrote: »

i did see someone mention DLA, he was turned down because he can walk a certain distance on a "good" day even if he is in severe pain and discomfort when doing so.

also, mutual house exchanges here never seem to work out, it may get so far but then it always falls through, i dont personally know of any that have worked out round here. i will look into it though, its worth a look to see if there is anything suitable.

hope i didnt forget anything in response to all who have replied to me.

cheers

Part of the problem you face is "unrecognised disability". Even if amendments were made without the DLA or ESA it would be a hard fight as people assume that in order to have difficulties you need to be claiming one or both of the above.

Have you considered appealing? Have you had specialist help from an outside agency with the forms?

I am sure people who know these forms well on here can help with a new application.

mysterywoman10

ab.da54 wrote: »

The response to my question was quite telling

Not that it matters, I was just wondering.

Well clearly it does matter?

I think most people with any common sense about them will work out who and what we are, not that difficult

panther_87k

princessdon wrote: »

Part of the problem you face is "unrecognised disability". Even if amendments were made without the DLA or ESA it would be a hard fight as people assume that in order to have difficulties you need to be claiming one or both of the above.

Have you considered appealing? Have you had specialist help from an outside agency with the forms?

I am sure people who know these forms well on here can help with a new application.

We did appeal the DLA decision and lost (second DLA application), the first DLA application we had outside help filling in the form and lost that time too.
We believe that alot of it has to do with his age, he is only 30 and people dont seem to believe that he has arthritis, it took 5 years for a diagnosis. He was 24 when the health problems started. Obviously the DWP et al would never admit that they are basing their decision even partly on his age.
The first doctor he went to told him, and I quote "you cant possibly have arthritis, you're too young" !! this *doctor* then referred him to orthopaedics, when he went for an appointment the consultant asked him why he was there, it was obvious that he didnt have anything orthopaedic based wrong and the GP should never have referred him.
Any hoo, after 5 years of hospital app's, blood tests, xrays, other tests etc etc he was finally diagnosed in july 2011 with polyarthalgia, a form of rheumatoid arthritis.
After all this time he has learnt ways to cope with his pain, the pain isnt reduced he just has ways of dealing with it, this probably doesnt help as people cant then see that he is in pain.

ab.da54

mysterywoman10 wrote: »

Well clearly it does matter?

I think most people with any common sense about them will work out who and what we are, not that difficult

To be honest, much of what goes on here, doesn't matter. Once the internet is switched off, very little of what has been discussed has any relevance to daily life, unless, of course, the issue is personal to an OP in some way.

ab.da54

panther_87k wrote: »

We did appeal the DLA decision and lost (second DLA application), the first DLA application we had outside help filling in the form and lost that time too.
We believe that alot of it has to do with his age, he is only 30 and people dont seem to believe that he has arthritis, it took 5 years for a diagnosis. He was 24 when the health problems started. Obviously the DWP et al would never admit that they are basing their decision even partly on his age.
The first doctor he went to told him, and I quote "you cant possibly have arthritis, you're too young" !! this *doctor* then referred him to orthopaedics, when he went for an appointment the consultant asked him why he was there, it was obvious that he didnt have anything orthopaedic based wrong and the GP should never have referred him.
Any hoo, after 5 years of hospital app's, blood tests, xrays, other tests etc etc he was finally diagnosed in july 2011 with polyarthalgia, a form of rheumatoid arthritis.
After all this time he has learnt ways to cope with his pain, the pain isnt reduced he just has ways of dealing with it, this probably doesnt help as people cant then see that he is in pain.

Did the DWP have your partner's diagnosis or was the claim denied before then? The claim should be based on how the person is affected rather than diagnosis, but, if claims were turned down before diagnosis was given, has your partner considered claiming again?

Lots of people get arthritis before the age of 24 so I don't think it would have been an age decision.

Edited to add: I looked up polyarthalgia as I had never heard of it

Polyarthralgia is defined as aches in the joints, joint pains, arthralgia of multiple joints, and multiple joint pain.

What is Polyarthralgia?
Polyarthralgia is defined as aches in the joints, joint pains, arthralgia of multiple joints, and multiple joint pain. Polyarthritis is the word usually used to describe pain affecting five or more joints, while a patient with 2 to 4 joints involved would be said to have oligoarticular disease.
Polyarthralgia is more common in women and even more so with increasing age.
Polyarthralgia: Signs and Symptoms
The initial symptoms, which usually appear in the third to fifth decade of life, include painless swelling or thickening of the skin of the hands and fingers, pain and stiffness of the joints (polyarthralgia), often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis, and paroxysmal blanching and cyanosis (becoming blue) of the fingers induced by exposure to cold (Raynaud syndrome).

When polyarthralgia becomes inflammatory, it has morphed into polyarthralgia arthritis, and thus has become a more serious condition. It is essential to treat polyarthralgia before it gets to such a stage.

Do check if your partner could apply again, based on diagnosis. The fact that it is more common in women of an older age should have no relevance to the outcome of the claim.

Growurown

Dunroamin wrote: »

Although many claimants don't like to accept it, HB/LHA/CTB is part of their income, just as the money paid for a mortgage or rent by someone paying these for themselves are.

Agreed, however as a community worker who has worked with people/families who have been on benefits for many years it isn't uncommon for people not to know how much their rent or council tax is because it is paid directly for them. They have no need to know and therefore it doesn't seem to figure when talking about income.

mysterywoman10

Diagnosis has nothing to do with entitlement to DLA or AA that I know of.

It is to do with ability to perform or carry out certain tasks and whether you need help or care to do it, sadly knock on affect of those that think anyone who is extreme pain continually must be swinging it.

princessdon

Growurown wrote: »

Agreed, however as a community worker who has worked with people/families who have been on benefits for many years it isn't uncommon for people not to know how much their rent or council tax is because it is paid directly for them. They have no need to know and therefore it doesn't seem to figure when talking about income.

Yes I see the same, it's just not factored in. Which is their normality but not reality.

mysterywoman10

Quote:
Originally Posted by ab.da54
As an aside, mysterywoman, is angryubuffalo your husband, by any chance?


Quote:
Originally Posted by mysterywoman10
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:: rotfl::rotfl:

Ah well that's my signature done for the day



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dunroamin
Exactly what I've been thinking - when I haven't been thinking them to be the same person.;)

The response to my question was quite telling

Not that it matters, I was just wondering.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mysterywoman10
Well clearly it does matter?

I think most people with any common sense about them will work out who and what we are, not that difficult

To be honest, much of what goes on here, doesn't matter. Once the internet is switched off, very little of what has been discussed has any relevance to daily life, unless, of course, the issue is personal to an OP in some way.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

panther_87k

ab.da54 wrote: »

Did the DWP have your partner's diagnosis or was the claim denied before then? The claim should be based on how the person is affected rather than diagnosis, but, if claims were turned down before diagnosis was given, has your partner considered claiming again?

Lots of people get arthritis before the age of 24 so I don't think it would have been an age decision.

first application was prior to a definate diagnosis, second application was after.
the basic break down of their decision on the second application was.
1. no to care component because he could prepare a meal for himself if needed, he cannot lift a full saucepan but apparently he could empty it bit by bit with a spoon?? he also does not require help with toilet functions
2. no to mobility component because he can walk the distance between 2 lampposts, even though he would be in pain

he would like to get back in to work however his only qualifications are in car mechanics, something he cannot do any more.
between us we cannot come up with any jobs where he could stand/sit/walk around/sit/stand, etc every 5-10 minutes, all jobs require either constant sitting (in seating that is not suited to his problems) or constant standing/walking around, any heavy lifting or regular bending would be very difficult too. if any one knows of a job where you can sit (on something resembling the comfort of a sofa as this is the only seating he can use for more than 10 minutes) then get up and walk around for 10 minutes, possibly lie down during a break (he takes short lie downs on the bed or sofa fairly regularly during the day) then please let me know this is something the DWP doesnt seem to understand.

he is awaiting another app with rheumatology and is hoping to be given a drug which helps with the pain sufficiently enough for him to get some proper exercise (walking and possibly cycling) as if he can get his fitness to an acceptable level he may have better work prospects.

and all the while he is coping with the physical restraints of his illness (and his anxiety which has taken a turn for the worse in recent months) i am helping him get up in the morning, helping him to dress his lower body, helping him down stairs, cooking for him (no point in him cooking for just himself when theres 3 of us to feed any way) doing all the shopping on foot which includes carrying any heavy shopping home, im sure theres more but dont want to bore you with the ins and outs of my day to day life.