Help with claiming HRM for DLA

Tran

I have renewed my DLA and been awarded HRC and LRM but i think i should get the HRM because;
I've got a blue badge
I've got a disabled persons rail card and bus pass
My walking is really restricted (i estimated around 40-50m in about 2 mins on the DLA forms). Even when i walk this i need to stop after this distance for about 3-5 mins. When i do any amount of walking i always have additional pain then next day and end up sitting indoors all day or resting in bed with extra pain killers. I told them all this on the DLA forms. i told them it's impossible for me to walk round a supermarket or walk around town anymore. I really struggle to do day-to-day necessity jobs.

I rang up for an explaination on Monday and they told me they don't consider my walking ability to be severe enough!!! I told them it was severely limited and they said 'limited' doesn;t count and that i dont qualify for HRM!! They said being able to walk 40m means I am OK and not able to claim HRM.

Is this right?

Are there any guidelines as to how little you have to be able to walk in order to get HRM because they were saying 40m is too far(!!!)

Thanks in advance

healy

There is no specific distance but it is generally considered that being able to walk no more than 50 to 100m is "virtually unable to walk". Also this should be before the onset of severe discomfort.

Penny-Pincher!!

Tran wrote: »

I have renewed my DLA and been awarded HRC and LRM but i think i should get the HRM because;
I've got a blue badge
I've got a disabled persons rail card and bus pass
My walking is really restricted (i estimated around 40-50m in about 2 mins on the DLA forms). Even when i walk this i need to stop after this distance for about 3-5 mins. When i do any amount of walking i always have additional pain then next day and end up sitting indoors all day or resting in bed with extra pain killers. I told them all this on the DLA forms. i told them it's impossible for me to walk round a supermarket or walk around town anymore. I really struggle to do day-to-day necessity jobs.

I rang up for an explaination on Monday and they told me they don't consider my walking ability to be severe enough!!! I told them it was severely limited and they said 'limited' doesn;t count and that i dont qualify for HRM!! They said being able to walk 40m means I am OK and not able to claim HRM.

Is this right?

Are there any guidelines as to how little you have to be able to walk in order to get HRM because they were saying 40m is too far(!!!)

Thanks in advance

Firstly, just because you have a blue badge and a disabled persons travel card does not qualify anyone for HRM.

If you think the decision is wrong then you would need to appeal. To qualify for HRM you need to be unable to walk or virtually unable to walk. 40-50 mtrs though in 2 mins doesnt sound too bad.

Do you use walking aids or a wheelchair etc? Would your consultant and GP be willing to back up an appeal for HRM. If they will, then I would go for it.

PP
xx

Tran

Thank you for your comments.

When i wrote the post, i was just a bit flabergasted that a man at the DLA offices could sit there and tell me that being able to walk to the bottom of my short garden and back then having to sit down as i can't walk any further anymore was NOT severely limiting. I told them i can't even walk round a supermarket and put this all on the form.

I sent in evidence of my blue badge AND the council criteria for them which is clear and applied strictly. I know that just because you have a blue badge doesn;t mean you will automatically get HRM - but surely if you GP has signed to say you have a severe problem AND you undergo a medical assessment by the council - surely, at the very least, the DLA people would consider this as evidence to support what the claimant is saying? Same with the bus pass (which i now no longer use as i can't walk as far as the bus stop!!) I sent the evidence and criteria from the council - still wouldn;t accept it.

I sent in 2 consultants reports (different consultants). The GP also attached info that said i have this level of difficulty but they still didn;t give me HRM. I don;t use walking sticks (due to my own stubbornes), surely the only criteria they use ISN'T the use of walking sticks/wheelchairs???

I can't see what other evidence i can provide. I don't understand how being able to walk only 40-50m at once, slowly DOESN'T make you 'virtually unable to walk'. this is why i was asking for clearer criteria so i could try to challenge them. I'd like to see the guy on the DLA helpline be restricted to 40-50m at once, slowly and then be in pain and then tell me it isn't limiting!!!

I'm still flabergasted that they think i don't have a limited walking ability....

Morglin

I would ask at your local CAB for them to refer you to a welfare rights worker, who could advise you, and help you with an appeal against this decision.

Lin

princesskez26

I get HRM for my little boy (5) but he cannot walk at all. He has prostesis but cannot stand let alone walk with them. I perhaps haven't been any help to you but seems he's awarded it I thought I'd clarify his walking distance for you

dooby

It's not just distance that should be taken into account, the speed, manner/gait and balance should be too.

Also, other things are looked at for example if someone claims they can only walk 50m, due to arthritis, before the onset of severe discomfort but they're in regular contact with their GP and their prescription is for mild pain killers then that kinda doesn't seem right and would cast doubt.

If you are going to appeal the decision then I would explain not just the distance that you can walk but your speed of walking, whether you shuffle or walk normally or limp and what pain killers you are on, also things like if any surgery is planned. Give as much information as possible. It really isn't enough to just reiterate that you can't walk more than 50m, they need to know why not.