Want to come off DLA but worried

sinbin_72

Hello all

I have been on DLA for 18 months and I now feel able to get around better. I have HIV and Peripheral Neuropathy caused by a reaction to some Tuberculosis drugs I was taking.

I still get the pain in my arms and legs but it has reduced somewhat lately. My main problem at the moment is being able to get straight up out of bed. I wake with a terrible aching sensation in my limbs that usually subsides after an hour or so. I have started to improve and can now walk much better although i still feel uncomfortable tackling a long walk anywhere. My improvement was caused by receving new treatment for my Neuropathy(Pregabalin).

My question is(and sorry if I took a long time to get round to it), should I tell the beenfits office about my improvement as I am not sure if it still qualifies me for DLA? I still feel I need some help but it's a real grey area. My main worry is that when I give up my DLA they will then try to chuck me off Incapacity benefit. I really do need this beenfit as I would find it very difficult to cope with work due to my frequent depression problems, ongoing pain in limbs(albeit reduced) and the side effects of my HIV treatment which cause bad diarrohea and general lethargy.

I want to be honest but I am worried that they will then attack me and try to force me back into work. I do want to return to work but I don't want to be forced into it and then find it hard to hold a job down with my exisitng conditiions/problems. I am abit of a worrier and I guess most people would just stay on the DLA unti lthey were fully recovered. My fear is that I am going to get into trouble for not reporting a change. I couldn't cope with that.

I would be grateful for any adivce on my situation.

Thankyou

dmg24

Hi sinbin_72,

Do you know when your DLA review is due, and what rate are you currently receiving? Also, do you know when your IB is due to be reviewed?

Even with the increase in mobility and decrease in pain, you still have a complex set of medical problems. It may be that you still qualify anyway? x

sinbin_72

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply DMG24. I am really looking for just some reassurance...some people need it more than others.

I was reviewed for my incapacity a few months ago and my review has been set at 2012. My DLA does not have a review on the award letter..it just says indefinite, but U have been awrded higher rate mobility and lower care. If I am honest I would calculate that I should come down a bracket for mobility but keep the rest. However, if I open the floodgates I am worried that they are going to be really unreasonable and take everything away. I would find that very hard to cope with.

Thanks again

dmg24

As you are on higher rate mobility, there is a lot of scope for you to still be eligible for DLA at one of the lower levels. Strictly speaking, it should not trigger a review of your IB, but others have had 'coincidental' IB reviews after a change in DLA status. Even if you did have a review, it would certainly appear that you would still qualify (though I can understand if you did not want the stress of a written review and a possible medical).

Do you have a Keyworker? It would be good to get their viewpoint on this, to see what impact they think reporting a change would have on your entitlement.

My feeling is that honesty is always best, but it is not always the easiest option x

sinbin_72

No, I don't have a keyworker.

I kinda came to the same conclusion. Think I will give the benefits office a ring and tell them of my change. Fingers crossed.

dmg24

Good luck ... it is all too often that dishonesty and 'twisting' the truth is applauded on here ... I really hope things work out for you x

sinbin_72

Thanks for your advice.

philip

My post earlier was in the same vein. Had DLA for a number of years, have improved a bit lately.What happens if I contact DWP .Do I get a lot of hassle or is it a simple matter after some form filling yes your still entitled or no your not.

dmg24

Hi philip,

As above, if you think that your entitlement has changed, you should advise them. You may just need to complete a form, or you may also get called for a medical, unfortunately no one can answer that for you x

Ally_Catz

Hi
I applied for DLA in November and after 4 months they turned me down last week, stating a long list of things i supposedly didn't have, but that i'd specified i did have. i.e. difficulty with mobility, domestic issues, etc.

They had reports from GPs and consultants to confirm my neuro disorder that caused damage to spinal cord and a whole host of problems.
Not sure why it was a 'no'.

Had a home visit from med examiner, didn't feel the need to use walking aid as i do in open spaces and quite frankly, i'd had a massage at physio the previous day and felt great - did that work against me? I didn't see the point in exaggerating my worse symptoms, its a rareity to feel that good!

Anyway my point is, is it worth appealing. I'm not sure what facts (not sufficient) they have about my physical everyday struggles - the DWP are welcome to live in my shoes for 24hrs!! :-(

johnroberts07

I wouldnt do anything yet, although you are feeling better now it may not last. (dont want to give you a downer) I did the same and went back to work thinking i was better but i was wrong. And you have terrible trouble trying to get your benefits back