Can I get disability living allowance

Nlb7

I looking for some advice 9 years ago I went to the gp with pain and less use of my arm n some other symptoms the doctor advised me it was carpel tunnel syndrome over the years I been back to see the gp as the pain and symptoms have got worse two years ago they decided to investigate and found something called a vascular/venous malformation which is a load of blood vessels that are wrapped around my nerves my tendons and muscles. It is very large and very complex to treat as the specialist have told me they can't treat it because it will cause damage to my nerves and that could lead to me having my arm amputated depending on the amount of damage the procedure causes. I am unable to use my arm and hand due to the malformation growing and the pain.I am unable to do day to day things as I am right handed and I am having to ask for help off my family and friends and I was wanting to know if I could get disability living allowance to help me with my care and Also help with cost to adapt things in my home to help.

Confuseddot

DLA has stopped for all adults and if you wanted to claim it would need to Personal Independence Payment you applied for. As you can see from the long running thread below that PIP timescales are not good.


Have a look at https://www.gov.uk/pip/eligibility

Nlb7

Thank you for you're advise I will look into apply for pip do you think it would it help if I sent in letters from my specialist explaing what my condition is and the treatment they want to use won't work because of the damage they will cause. Sorry I'm just don't know much about disability living allowance just a friend told me about it briefly. Many thanks

rogerblack

Nlb7 wrote: »

I looking for some advice 9 years ago I went to the gp with pain and less use of my arm

I am assuming you otherwise have a reasonably functioning rest of your body.

Most PIP descriptors allow the uses of aids and appliances.
If you can't do something safely, reliably, without severe discomfort, and in less than twice the time it takes a healthy person, you are not able to do it.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm contains a table of the PIP descriptors - the criteria you need to match.

At the best, you might attract 2 points for being unable to cook a simple meal without an aid.
Possibly another 2 for needing an aid to bathe.
And possibly anther 2 for being unable to dress without an aid.

These are the only things that strike me as arguable for someone with 'just' a disability in one hand.
The 'moving around' and mental function descriptors don't apply.

6 points would not qualify you for PIP, you need 8.

'needing assistance to cut up food' - in principle might add the other 2.

This is unlikely to, even if the points all add up, be awarded simply, and will require an appeal, as all of the four descriptors I mentioned are not certain that they apply, and any one of them found not to will mean you don't hit 8 points.

Letters about the condition of your arm only go to proving that your arm doesn't work. It doesn't mean you get PIP.

I've lived with only one effective hand, due to an injury for a short period. It was not easy, but most things I could do with reasonable adaptations.
If you have trouble with a task, post about it, and ask!

Or think about other things you could do that would accomplish the task in another way.

There are _many_ tools for those with one wonky arm, as it's a common condition, and other tools can be pressed into use.
They're often even quite cheap.

Nlb7

I can't not lift cut or peel or open cans and I have mild carpel tunnel in my left hand I need help to wash my hair and get in and out of the bath .If I was to get the 8 points what would it be for the care or mobility I'm unsure how it works sorry and thanks for your help and advice

Indie_Kid

It would be for care. Unless you have other conditions which mean you need help getting around?

Nlb7

No I just have the problem with my hand and arm

rogerblack

Nlb7 wrote: »

I can't not lift cut or peel or open cans and I have mild carpel tunnel in my left hand I need help to wash my hair and get in and out of the bath .If I was to get the 8 points what would it be for the care or mobility I'm unsure how it works sorry and thanks for your help and advice

The 8 points would be for care. There is essentially no hope whatsoever to get mobility.

If mobility in your other hand is compromised too, then there would be a stronger case for the above points.
If it's severe enough, you might even qualify for enhanced rate daily living (equivalent of care in DLA)

On a related topic.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kenwood-CO606-Opener-Sharpener-Bottle/dp/B0000C72YY/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1404393519&sr=8-7&keywords=can+opener

This can be easily operated with one hand.

Nlb7

I'm waiting for a carpel tunnel decompression operation on my left hand but there is a waiting time of upto 11 months for this I have reports from the hospital as they have done lots of test on both my hands and they reported what they found with both hand should I send this to them?

Indie_Kid

Does it show evidence of care needs?

Nlb7

It says due to the size and the place and what it's involved with it is likely to cause further paralasis