Agoraphobia and Driving lesson Help

~Chameleon~

Arf_A_Brain_Cell wrote: »

A: my partner is in process of claiming Higher rate Care & Mobility , but it is to our understanding that due to my working fulltime.. i earn more than the maximum £56 a week they allow to be eligible for carers.

You are allowed to earn approx £100 per week before it affects your eligibility for CA.

Arf_A_Brain_Cell

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

You are allowed to earn approx £100 per week before it affects your eligibility for CA.

ty i earn above that

~Chameleon~

Arf_A_Brain_Cell wrote: »

some peoples agoraphobia can be so severe that they would not be able to concentrate on the road at all.. hence in turn be a danger to themself and other road users.

as stated above 5-10 years ago i wouldnt even dream of learning to drive it was so bad. much milder now though and i wouldnt be anywhere near as bad as above mentioned time

Oh, I know. I also have agoraphobia and place limitations on where and when I can drive. I just wondered what ILW was implying by their question and perhaps responded a little defensively

mazza111

I have a slight form of agoraphobia but I can make it to my car. I can make it round the supermarket with someone with me. Goodness knows I'd be demented without my car. I know it's not a true agoraphobia because I can do this, and even though I struggle with it, I still do it. At one point in time I didn't go beyond the front door. I'd stand there and the panic would take over. Maybe learning to drive would help you get your agoraphobia under control? It did help for me.

No advice on driving lessons hon, just wanted to let you know how I got it under control (to a degree) to get a bit of life back. Even making it to the car to be able to drive was a huge step, now I feel like it's mostly under control. Still have the occasional wobble, but definitely under control

LostandAfraid

Arf_A_Brain_Cell wrote: »

Hiya and thnx for replies... ill answer some of the questions asked.. and maybe some1 mybe able to inform me better.. ty


p00hsticks ..that having a car is cost effective ?
A: Yes we need a Car we live 20 mins drive from nearest town, atm we in a remote small village. so taxis not an option.

ILW Is driving with agraphobia safe?
A: Yes for me it would be. although i guess for some it maybe wouldnt be a good idea depending on how severe their condition is (mines much better than it was, and i wouldnt consider driving for a second 5-10 years ago). as stated in original post i have had it 15 or so years. and have come a long long way from when i was at my worst. and am confident id be able to drive a car without any anxiety issues.. although big cities and large built up areas would be a no go.. but id avoid them anyway as i dont live near any cities. lol

pmlindyloo you really should be claiming any benefits pmlindyloo
A: apprantly im not entitled to anything at all , and neither is partner. working tax credits said i could get £5 a week. lol .. my partner though as stated above is in proccess of claiming PIP , again as stated we expect to get Higher rate Care and Higher Rate Mobility. which going back to 1st reply from users. would entitle us to a car.. which has its tax and Insurance paid for us. hence cutting costs as id go on partners insurance once i learn to drive for when she is unable to drive at all . or having a bad day with her arthritis and unable to drive.

LostandAfraid Do you get DLA?
A:no i dont . i did try years ago for Incapacity Benefit of which wwas refused (cant remember why was a long time ago) and due to me being in full time employment. didnt think im eligible for it. especially so now seeing as my agoraphobia is a lot milder than it was.
MidnightHour Are you a carer of someone in receipt of high rate mobility DLA?

A: my partner is in process of claiming Higher rate Care & Mobility , but it is to our understanding that due to my working fulltime.. i earn more than the maximum £56 a week they allow to be eligible for carers.


ty again for all replies.

Sorry I don't know how to edit a quote to make it smaller if you see what I mean but being in employment does not affect any entitlement you might have for dla or pip,neither does your income as it is not means tested.

Anyone who has extra care needs can qualify regardless of work or income as long as the care needs exist and can be proven.

It would be pip now as there is no longer dla for new applicants but the criteria is

Cannot leave the home at all due to overwhelming distress. (Standard rate)

or

Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person. (Enhanced rate)

or

Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person but can do so if the route is familiar. (Standard rate)

It also includes aids and guides but those things wouldn't really apply to an agoraphobic person.

It might be that you don't meet any of the criteria but it is worth having a look to see.

DomRavioli

Have you applied for your provisional licence? Agoraphobia MUST be declared to DVLA, and medical evidence will be sought before a licence is granted. Just thought it was worth mentioning - it is a clinicians decision, not yours, as to whether you get a licence - and if you don't declare...well you can have your licence taken off you and even be prosecuted.

PIP should be applied for, then you could use that for disability incurred expenses.

letthemeatcake

I would just take a lesson at a time and see how you get on. If you find it too difficult then at least you have tried.