Benefits & consultants at hospitals

Tran

I wondered if anyone else has noticed this:

In the the last 6 months i have noticed that whenever I go to a hospital appointment, in addition to asking questions about the medical problem, the Consultants have started asking whether i claim incapacity beneift, DLA etc. Has anyone else had this?

Even when i took my daughter, i was asked if she got DLA and whether i got carers allowance.

Is it just my PCT or do consultants now have to ask for this info? Why would they want it?

P.S. Last time i went to see the consultant i got asked if i got any benefits and if so , which ones. I was rather prickly about being asked this when i had gone about my HEALTH problem. I told the consultant i would be happy to tell him about my income if he would first like to tell me how much he earns.... he declined.....

sarahlouise210

I have noticed this ...but the consutants usually ask if I am working first...a softer approach !!! I have my own theory that they are more than aware that some people go to them with symptoms needed for DLA - maybe a theory...but seems a bit strange how they are so interested all of a sudden! Its not as if they tell you how to apply if you say no ! On the other hand I find that any help needed from consultants is given if asked for - I just find it a bit awkward if they ask you outright.

Morglin

No, I haven't noticed them asking anything about benefits - but, as they have supported the original claim, then perhaps it's already on the records.

Hospital staff are supposed to ask about benefits, if you are admitted to hopsital, as certain benefits reduce or stop after a certain time, and they generally notify the DWP of the fact a patient has been in hospital for x number of weeks.

Lin

Fran

It's really good to hear that consultants are asking this, particularly DLA as so many people don't get the extra money they need for their disability when they need it.

DLA is not income related, you can claim it whether working or not. Some disabilities have huge extra costs attached.

I would take it more that the consultants are asking this as part of their job and it IS health related, ie if you are worried about the cost of equipment etc. you might need then your health is affected.

calleyw

My husband had an appointment with a (NHS) consultant as well another appointment with a specialist nurse and she asked if it was getting DLA/IB.

I took it that they want to make sure that he was claiming the benefits that he was entitled to. And no other reason than that.

I don't care who knows what my husband gets IB and DLA. I might not tell people the figures as that really is none of their business.

I think you took it totally the wrong way. He was not asking you how much your income was in pounds. But if you were claiming what you are entitled too.

And I thought I was a cagey and paranoid about giving out personal information.

Yours


Calley

seven-day-weekend

Yes, I too would assume they intended to be helpful. It was our Dr in the UK who advised my husband to apply for Incapacity Benefit. We had assumed he wouldn't get any as he was still being paid from work and I was working full-time.

I'm sure that is the only reason they mention it.

filigree_2

I wish more consultants would do this! My son's consultant never mentioned it and we only got DLA thanks to my GP's help. I think certain consultants don't understand how low income families can struggle financially if someone falls sick.

Some people don't know about benefits and they either stagger in to work because they need the money, or they can't work and have to survive on too little money. Given those scenarios I think a doctor should ask if you're managing OK because it can have an impact on your health.

System

filigree wrote: »

I wish more consultants would do this! My son's consultant never mentioned it and we only got DLA thanks to my GP's help. I think certain consultants don't understand how low income families can struggle financially if someone falls sick.

Some people don't know about benefits and they either stagger in to work because they need the money, or they can't work and have to survive on too little money. Given those scenarios I think a doctor should ask if you're managing OK because it can have an impact on your health.

I'm not sure why they are asking about benefits but I think it really is too much to expect Consultants or any medical personnel to know the intricacies of the UK benefits system as well as the human body. If people are struggling financially when someone becomes ill then surely the Benefits Agency are the people to ask. That's what they are paid for.

Fran

Pam17 wrote: »

I'm not sure why they are asking about benefits but I think it really is too much to expect Consultants or any medical personnel to know the intricacies of the UK benefits system as well as the human body. If people are struggling financially when someone becomes ill then surely the Benefits Agency are the people to ask. That's what they are paid for.

I think the point is that people either do not know or are ashamed or embarrassed to ask anyone. DLA is paid to anyone who qualifies because of a disability and is for the extra costs that are incurred. It is not to do with 'struggling financially' necessarily as it is not an income based benefit. No-one is expecting consultants to know the ins and outs of benefits but they are the ones who see the patient.

I think it's really good that consultants are asking the question.

Morglin

Pam17 wrote: »

I'm not sure why they are asking about benefits but I think it really is too much to expect Consultants or any medical personnel to know the intricacies of the UK benefits system as well as the human body. If people are struggling financially when someone becomes ill then surely the Benefits Agency are the people to ask. That's what they are paid for.

Most doctors do understand the benefits system regarding DLA/IB, as they are required to supply reports etc., to the DWP.

The DWP don't ever advertise what should be claimed, and I think it's great that some medics are at least trying to ensure that their patients are getting as much financial help as possible.:T

Lin

filigree_2

Pam17 wrote: »

I'm not sure why they are asking about benefits but I think it really is too much to expect Consultants or any medical personnel to know the intricacies of the UK benefits system as well as the human body. If people are struggling financially when someone becomes ill then surely the Benefits Agency are the people to ask. That's what they are paid for.

My GP probably doesn't know all about benefits but he did the right thing and directed me towards someone who could help, in my case a hospital social worker. It never occurred to me that children could get benefits, I thought they were only paid to adults who are too sick to work. There are sources of help and advice out there but sometimes we need a little nudge in the right direction to get started