DLA and Bipolar

kah22

Bryando wrote: »

Her Psychiatrist is the key. She will probably be allocated a CPN on discharge. I dont THINK you can get DLA whilst locked in a ward, not sure. My family always dealt with me when under section, that being Scottish and different in terms of sections.

Think your best bet is to speak to a Social Worker, here in Scotland we have mental health social workers. They would be best to advise. Does she lack capacity to make a claim, what right have you to make a claim these are questions that need answering. So I would suggest phoning Social Work explaining your gf is detained and what can be done about benefit.

I have been in your gf situation in that being sectioned, but even at that ,things will differ between Scotland and England.

All the best.

There are a number of complications. I live in Northern Ireland and we are a few months behind the rest of the UK, hence they are accepting DLA applications up to October, but that's good.

Anyway my girlfriend was sectioned in February, that section has now been lifted and she is a voluntary patient. The only reason she is there though is because her landlord wants to evict her. (Don't go there it is a complicated story, but she has a lawyer fighting the case)

She was receiving talking treatment form a psychotherapist connected to a voluntary group where she lives. She was referred there by her GP. Funding was cut for the organization and it has now ceased to exist. The [FONT=&quot]psychotherapist is now unemployed herself but she is a very helpful lady and I've a letter drawn up ready to post to her asking for a support letter.

I do appreciate that she will probably be allocated a CPN and social worker when she eventually leaves hospital and that she will have a care package in place. I also appreciate that DLA won't be paid while she is in hospital. That's not important at the moment it's getting the claim in and through before time up.
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kah22

A specific question.

Question 61 Looks for a statement from someone who knows you and ‘is the one who is most involved with your treatment or care.

Should I put myself or her GP down for that one. She really only visited the clinic when she was looking for repeat prescriptions and/or sick notes? But her GP has a great reputation for helping his patients and I would have great confidence in him. On the other hand I’m the one who offers her the most help and who is mentioned most often in her application but I have no professional standing, I'm just her boyfriend.

I have written to her appointed social worker, advocate and her old physiotherapist for support letters.

Brassedoff

kah22 wrote: »

[FONT=&quot]Thanks guys for all you advice so far and a really big thank you to Helptoyou.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]At the moment she hasn’t got a CPM and while she has been diagnosed as bipolar for some years now it was only after she threw an almighty wobbly and had to be sectioned, and she is still in hospital, that she accepted she needs help and support and at the moment I’m the one she is putting her trust in. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I’m doing most of the spade work, finding out what this means and that means and how it applies in my girlfriends case and I suppose when I’ve a good first draft of the form completed we’ll go to our local CAB and talk it over with them but I want to get as much info as possible before then.

There is no MIND organization close to us. I am in the process of writing to her appointed social worker, advocate and a [/FONT]Physiotherapist she was attending pre her been sectioned. Is there anyone else I should be contacting?

Can I say a big well done to you for helping and supporting your girlfriend in this way. Most blokes would probably run a mile, yet you have staying power. She must be a very special lady? I hope you both find total happiness and that once she has is in a better situation she appreciates what a good chap she has. Good luck.

Blackpool_Saver

Yes, well done mate for being so supportive and caring

Bryando

kah22 wrote: »

A specific question.

Question 61 Looks for a statement from someone who knows you and ‘is the one who is most involved with your treatment or care.

Should I put myself or her GP down for that one. She really only visited the clinic when she was looking for repeat prescriptions and/or sick notes? But her GP has a great reputation for helping his patients and I would have great confidence in him. On the other hand I’m the one who offers her the most help and who is mentioned most often in her application but I have no professional standing, I'm just her boyfriend.

I have written to her appointed social worker, advocate and her old physiotherapist for support letters.

As I say I have always put down my carer (partner) and got a statement from them. Might suggest making a diary say over a week and submit that, the more detailed the better. They will probably get in contact with her Psychiatrist and ask her questions, will try and find the questionnaire they send to the Psychiatrist. Failing that if you want I will type the questions up they will ask the Psychiatrist if you want?

kah22

Bryando wrote: »

As I say I have always put down my carer (partner) and got a statement from them. Might suggest making a diary say over a week and submit that, the more detailed the better. They will probably get in contact with her Psychiatrist and ask her questions, will try and find the questionnaire they send to the Psychiatrist. Failing that if you want I will type the questions up they will ask the Psychiatrist if you want?

Bryando that would be great. If you feel there is anything personal then pm me. Again thanks

Bryando

8 questions in total

Stated disabilities taken from customer's claim.

Date when patient last seen

Diagnosis of psychiatric condition(s)

current treatment including medication with dosage

Is the patient able to administer their own medication

Is the patient's condition subject to fluctuations- within last 12 months, nature, severity and duration.

Are any changes likely to occur if the patient is left unsupervised?

Does the patient require prompting or encouragement to maintain a reasonable standard of hygiene and nutrition?

Is assistance or help needed from someone else to enable the patient to get around in familiar and/or unfamiliar surrondings?

Prognosis

Please add any further details which you think would be helpful to the dept when deciding on this claim.


hope that is of help?

MargaretT

You are a good man. Most people run a mile when the hear those awful words 'Bipolar' or 'Manic Depressive@

Hope you are successful in your claim.

MargaretT

MargaretT

Are they still accepting claims for DLA. I though DLA was been abolished?

d123

MargaretT wrote: »

Are they still accepting claims for DLA. I though DLA was been abolished?

Go back and read the thread, it's been mentioned a few times, for example in post 1, 9 & 12.