Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit?

kazandra · 20 May 2008 at 8:55PM

Hi,

Just need a bit of advice in regard to whether I should be claiming disability living allowance as opposed to incapacity benefit? I'm currently on long term IB but was wondering, as I have little mobility and need a small amount of living care from my husband whether I should be on DLA? Not even sure what the difference is? Also, I will be having an operation later in the year that could (fingers crossed) result in my health & mobility returning. Any advice gratefully received.....thanks

dmg24 · 20 May 2008 at 9:09PM

Hi kazandra,

Welcome to MSE.

You can claim DLA at the same time as IB, indeed you can even be in receipt of it at the same time as working. If you are successful in claiming, and then you do become much better, then you would need to tell the DWP of your change in circumstances.

You can find out more about claiming DLA here.

sarebear_2 · 20 May 2008 at 9:43PM

you can get both. my husband got incapacity benefit for years and got dla on top as it is not means tested. he has now managed to find a job he can manage, so incapacity has stopped. but he gets wages, working tax credit with disability premium , and he still gets to keep his dla. make sure you put in for it. every penny helps ! xx

kazandra · 20 May 2008 at 10:04PM

Thanks very much, this is SO useful, hadn't realised this was the case. :j

MimiJane · 22 May 2008 at 9:25PM

Just a few words on claiming DLA, which I am in the process of doing myself. It's notoriously difficult for people to get it on putting in their first application ... 47% are turned down (some who are very poorly). Don't give up if you fail first time round, appeal straight away and you then have a 60% chance of getting it. I think you have at least 3 tries.

Ring your doctor and/or specialist if you have one and ask them if they'd be prepared to do a report if requested by the DWP. My doctor asked me for notes on how my illness affects my daily life, which I think is an excellent idea.

There are certain "buzz words" they look for and you shouldn't for example put down that you "can" do something, you should phrase it in such a way that you state you "cannot" do something. Also, look out for repeated questions where they try to trip you up and look out for different answers!

Some people will be called for a medical before a decision is made.

Your local Job Centre Plus and CAB have people trained to help you complete the form and, if you get professional help, it increases your chances of getting it first time round, so definitely worth considering.

Please don't be put off by what I've said above ... I'm just trying to warn you of any possible pit-falls and try to give you some helpful advice. It's your legal right to have this help if you have trouble in your daily life. It's not about your medical condition, but how if affects you every day.

Best of luck and go for it!

Mimi x

nm8553 · 22 May 2008 at 11:31PM

The questions on the DLA application form appear very bland and they don't lead you to give the answers which will give you benefit entitlement so don't just answer the question asked but think it through more deeply and be as expansive and detailed as possible - think laterally and ensure that if you need help it is regular (EVERY day / 2 or 3 Times a Day). If you need help at night make sure you detail this in the same way - "ocassional" need will get you nothing

MimiJane · 23 May 2008 at 8:04AM

Agreed. Answer the questions as if it's your worst day and fill in the "additional info." boxes on most pages where possible.

The following website is well worth viewing and will help greatly with an application. It does cost about £18 to join and be able to access all sections, but could well be worth it as it gives some great and very detailed info. :-

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/?gclid=CIaFl9-GoZMCFReHMAodOCyvrg

Disability Living Allowance or Incapacity Benefit?

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