I am currently disabled - benefits advice please

steven767

Hey guys,

I have had a condition since I was a child that affects my walking; I had surgery at 13 and up until last year (when I was 20) it was fine. I went to Canada on an Internship, but after 2 months I had to come back as my condition got so bad that I couldn't walk without crutches and was in constant pain.

When I got back to the UK, I applied for Incapacity benefit...this was rejected as apparently I didn't have 2 years NI contributions (although I only worked a year and a half from leaving college to going to Canada, so I couldn't have possibly got the NI contributions in time). So they gave me Income Support. I did apply for DLA but they said that as I put down 100 yards before serious discomfort on my form that was 'not considered serious enough'...I did appeal but they rejected again. I reckon that I probably did over estimate how far I can walk, as well, I don't like admitting that my condition is really getting to me. I would have thought that a 20 year old who needs a double hip replacement is quite serious buy hey ho.

Last month I had to have surgery to remove metal plates in prepartion for 2 more surgeries...could you guys give me advice on how to claim again for DLA and if I am entitled to any other grants/help etc? Its just that I am looking at about a whole year until I am totally recovered and can begin to get my normal life back, and well money is very tough at the moment, so I really would appreciate any help.

Thx.

dmg24

Hi steven767,

Welcome to MSE.

How long have you been claiming IS for reason of Incapacity for? Do you receive the disability premium?

If you rent a property you will be entitled to some Housing Benefit (which may be limited due to your age) and Council Tax Benefit.

With regard to DLA, you would be best advised to see a welfare rights specialist to get help with completing the forms. They are experienced in correctly wording the forms in order to get you the correct entitlement.

steven767

I have been getting IS since August 07.

No I don't get the disability premium...apparently I need to be in receipt of DLA.

I have already claimed DLA again since my operation, as the removal of the metal plates has made my condition worse...they are currently getting a report from my consultant.

dmg24

You will qualify for the disability premium when you have been deemed incapable of work for twelve months (i.e. you have been submitting med certs for twelve months). This will be an additional £23.95 a week (I think that is the current figure, not 100% sure, but it will have increased slightly by August).

ScoobyCanDo

Quick Note

Re: DLA

The Benefits Agency (if you can call them Benefit ......... Don't get me started!!!) ALWAYS, without fail dismiss your initial claim.

There should be Note on the form that tell you to automatically submit a second claim straight away .............. SO if you have not already done so, SUBMIT a new claim THIS WEEK.

If you have, .............. submit a third ........... fourth, etc ........ as your condition can change every day.

Also when putting distances, remember to add if this is on a GOOD DAY ..... or one of your BAD DAYS???

If you search through Google, you can often find sites, that help you word out your claim and remember when filling in the for, it does not matter if you can walk 100 yards, B4 you need to rest "ON A GOOD DAY" .............. you need to answer each question for your BAD DAYS ..................... so if you can only walk a few feet on a BAD DAY, put this down for your answer.

If your disability is a PERMANENT one, with no hope of it getting better (on it's own) in the near future, do not give up and submit a claim again.

To get a replacement form call the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) on 0800 88 22 00 [Text-Phone 0800 24 33 55] ...... plus ask them about any other help you may be entitled to and they should go through a check list and send you the relevant info to get you started.

Hope this helps?

Scooby:cool:

healy

ScoobyCanDo wrote: »

Quick Note

Re: DLA

The Benefits Agency (if you can call them Benefit ......... Don't get me started!!!) ALWAYS, without fail dismiss your initial claim.

There should be Note on the form that tell you to automatically submit a second claim straight away .............. SO if you have not already done so, SUBMIT a new claim THIS WEEK.

If you have, .............. submit a third ........... fourth, etc ........ as your condition can change every day.

Also when putting distances, remember to add if this is on a GOOD DAY ..... or one of your BAD DAYS???

If you search through Google, you can often find sites, that help you word out your claim and remember when filling in the for, it does not matter if you can walk 100 yards, B4 you need to rest "ON A GOOD DAY" .............. you need to answer each question for your BAD DAYS ..................... so if you can only walk a few feet on a BAD DAY, put this down for your answer.

If your disability is a PERMANENT one, with no hope of it getting better (on it's own) in the near future, do not give up and submit a claim again.

To get a replacement form call the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) on 0800 88 22 00 [Text-Phone 0800 24 33 55] ...... plus ask them about any other help you may be entitled to and they should go through a check list and send you the relevant info to get you started.

Hope this helps?

Scooby:cool:

Initial claims are NOT always refused.

peediedj

my son has 7 disabilites he,ll have for life and our 1st claim was rejected

dmg24

healy wrote: »

Initial claims are NOT always refused.

Common sense prevails!

As healy says, initial claims are not always refused.

I am not sure why SCD is suggesting submitting numerous claims at the same time, this is just going to create a lot of confusion. Furthermore, if you say different things on each form, this will bring the whole claim into doubt.

dmg24

peediedj wrote: »

my son has 7 disabilites he,ll have for life and our 1st claim was rejected

But that doesn't mean that every claim is rejected? x

peediedj

dmg24 wrote: »

But that doesn't mean that every claim is rejected? x

i didnt say it was,just seems to be fairly random,i know people who have very little wrong with them get accepted 1st time,yet with my son we had to appeal

dmg24

peediedj wrote: »

i didnt say it was,just seems to be fairly random,i know people who have very little wrong with them get accepted 1st time,yet with my son we had to appeal

That is a good description for it - random - I definitely agree with you on that one! x