Has anyone one else had problems sorting there disability allowance out? We put a claim in for disabilty months ago to get a letter back saying my son isn't entitled to it as he isn't down as disabled.I don't know how they worked that out as he is going to ryegate 3 days a week and is autistic. We asked for it to be looked at again and they said they would but we still haven't heard anything.It wouldn't be so bad but the claim was sent in in april when he was diagnosed. Have any of you had problems with this? :help:

Which benefit is it? Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?

Appeals about benefits can take a while, but I'm not sure how long DLA ones normally take. I'd call the office you sent the appeal to and see if they can let you know what's happening.

Is it Childrens DLA? You could ask someone at Ryegate to help you with your claim or your local Citizens advice bureau will definitely help. 2480043 the number for South East Sheffield Citizens advice

Which benefit is it? Disability Living Allowance (DLA)?
Yeah it is :)

Is it Childrens DLA? You could ask someone at Ryegate to help you with your claim or your local Citizens advice bureau will definitely help.
Yeah it is sorry i should have put that :loopy: :hihi:

Is it Childrens DLA? You could ask someone at Ryegate to help you with your claim or your local Citizens advice bureau will definitely help.

CAB would certainly help, but I'd just call the office first.

Did you get a professional to give a report, someone from Rygate perhaps? Whenever my son has had his review I have always got his neurologist, teacher of the deaf etc to put a report in as well. This seems to hold some sway. I would advise you to speak to Rygate and ask them what to do.

http://www.bhas.org.uk/dla/dla_child_ph_test.shtml

We asked them to contact ryegate which they did the total opposite and contacted our gp. But my son isn't under the gp for it so they said he isn't down as disabled.

When I claimed DLA for my son, we were turned down because they didn't have a clue about his condition ~ they didn't contact any of the professionals. I wrote back to them, asking that they look at the claim again, and he was granted middle rate DLA.

Why doesn't Ryegate liaise with your GP? That sounds a bit odd to me.

Being registered disabled should have nothing to do with a DLA claim ~ DLA is based on the disability, not on whether your son is registered or not. Now that you have asked for the claim to be looked at again (this isn't an appeal btw ~ that will come if they do turn you down this time), the Benefits Agency should contact the relevant professionals. That is what's taking the time because, until those professionals actually reply to the request, there is not a lot that the Benefits Agency can do.

A friend of mine has been trying to claim DLA for some time now, but the professionals didn't reply to the requests, so a medical officer from the Benefits Agency made a home visit last week. Now she has to wait for that report to be looked at, etc.

No matter how long it actually takes, when DLA is granted, it will be backdated to the date of claim, so you won't lose anything that way.

We asked them to contact ryegate which they did the total opposite and contacted our gp. But my son isn't under the gp for it so they said he isn't down as disabled.

DSS Benefits office = useless.. :rant:

We did have a medical officer came out but because my child looks normal and the gp said he isn't registered they still say no! I have given them contact numbers for ryegate and also a fax number. How hard can it be?

we were put of by everybody from applying we got top band living and disability you just have to be bloody minded our girl has downs if your fill in form dla434 child .you will have to over emphasize everything

When your GP says your son isn't registered, in what way isn't he registered ~ registered disabled or registered with that GP?

Who referred your son to Ryegate? As it is a children's centre and a NHS Trust, I should have thought that a professional would have referred him. As Ryegate is a NHS Trust, it should have been in correspondence with your GP, which any secondary care organisation should do.

Just to make what I've just typed clear, your GP is primary care and hospitals and other organisations are secondary care.

When your GP says your son isn't registered, in what way isn't he registered ~ registered disabled or registered with that GP?

Who referred your son to Ryegate? As it is a children's centre and a NHS Trust, I should have thought that a professional would have referred him. As Ryegate is a NHS Trust, it should have been in correspondence with your GP, which any secondary care organisation should do.
My health vistor passed him on to speech and language therapist who then sent him straight to ryegate because they knew what the problem was straight away. He is registered with the gp but hasn't been there since he was diagnosed so they told Disability that he wasn't autistic as far as they knew.

Think i will visit citizens advice thats prob my best bet i think.:thumbsup:

Have a look at these:
http://www.bhas.org.uk/dla/index.shtml

http://www.nacc.org.uk/content/services/testChild.asp

You need someone experienced in completing the application form so that your case is presented in the best possible way.
Our CAB has a special adviser for the job, perhaps yours has too.
HTH

Dave

CAB are usually very good at sorting these kind of problems. Hope it is soon sorted.

My son recieves DLA , middle rate for care and lower for mobility. He has Aspergers, Tourette's OCD, ADHD plus other bits and bobs. We were lucky and were awarded it first time without any questioning.

A friend on out Tourette's site recently reccommended this http://www.cerebra.org.uk/ as an excellent guide to claiming DLA for under 16's. Maybe worth a look?

Good luck!

***Edited to say ...........

Sorry, I meant to say that you can download a copy of the guide of you click on the linkj on the right hand side of the page.

When we had to first apply for DLA (my son is also autistic) the social worker at Ryegate helped us with our form, did they not offer this to you?

The DLA folks also sent out a doctor (lovely old retired GP!)to check that we hadn't made any false claims as our GP had not had anything to do with referal etc so contacting them directly would have been no use.

Sadly you're not on your own in finding this process frustrating and inconsistent but do keep appealing and hopefully it will be sorted soon.

No ryegate never offered to help. The person i put for them to be contacted left without us knowing. We have since changed that for them to contact another woman that took over with still no joy!

It took me a long time to get mine and I only get lower rate care. I had to ask them to look at it again to get that and they sent a doctor out, who tried asking me leading questions, which was a bit off putting. Eg You dont have any trouble with bathing do you? This year I had my renewal and it went through OK, still at same rate. My original form was filled in by citizens advice, but I cant say that the particular guy that did it did a good job. My renewal was filled in myself using the bhas advice downloaded from the web and this went through straight away.

It all takes a long long time, you have to chase them at every stage, and what you get at the end isnt as much as you'd hoped. They made me feel as if I was asking for something I wasnt entitled to.

It took me a long time to get mine and I only get lower rate care. I had to ask them to look at it again to get that and they sent a doctor out, who tried asking me leading questions, which was a bit off putting. Eg You dont have any trouble with bathing do you? This year I had my renewal and it went through OK, still at same rate. My original form was filled in by citizens advice, but I cant say that the particular guy that did it did a good job. My renewal was filled in myself using the bhas advice downloaded from the web and this went through straight away.

It all takes a long long time, you have to chase them at every stage, and what you get at the end isnt as much as you'd hoped. They made me feel as if I was asking for something I wasnt entitled to.
What was you claiming for if you dont mind me asking? :thumbsup:

My initial claim for DLA (mobility and care) took forever to go through. it took eighteen months, two appeals and a tribunal initally to get it up and running.

I have finally got an "indefinite" award, after 12 yrs...(one to three years were teh previous awards.)

It is a nightmare.

the first doctor who came out to see e was a right copper-bottomed _*_*_*__ from H*ll

She was very agressive, and said "Mrs Talker, you've put on your form that you fall, a lot, WHY do you fall a lot...?" (horrid woman!)

I replied, "Doctor, if I knew that, don't you think I'd be able to take measures to avert these falls, after countless grazes and bruises, three sprained ankles, two sprained wrists, and a head injury, all in the space of three months?"

GRRR

I don't know what it is with them they ask you questions you tell them the answers and still you get nowhere its gettin on my nerves now.:mad:

Did you know that if you are on low rate DLA and apply for High rate there is a chance that after they investigated, you might lose even the low rate?
The Govt. is tightening up on benefits

Did you know that if you are on low rate DLA and apply for High rate there is a chance that after they investigated, you might lose even the low rate?
The Govt. is tightening up on benefits

Tightening up?! So it's going to be even harder for genuine claimants to get benefits now because of the few who are on the fiddle and claiming benefits they don't need?! :rant:

Did you know that if you are on low rate DLA and apply for High rate there is a chance that after they investigated, you might lose even the low rate?
The Govt. is tightening up on benefits

Yes, I knew that, it tells you in some of the bumf they send.

I got my low rate after asking them to look at it again and having a doc come out and the ordeal was so much I didnt want to go to appeal knowing there was a possibility that they would take it all away.

Did you know that if you are on low rate DLA and apply for High rate there is a chance that after they investigated, you might lose even the low rate?
The Govt. is tightening up on benefits

That would only happen if you word things incorrectly, and it's not people's fault if they do, because without specialist advice, it can be horribly messy.

From what you have said there, what you would actually be doing, is asking for a review/reconsideration of the original decision, on the grounds that the disability has worsened. What would then happen, is that a decision maker would look at the entire case again. Now unless you have sent in further evidence to back up the fact that the disability has got worse, you could indeed lose the award which was given. This is simply down to the fact that s/he may not agree with the original decision.

If, when you ask for the review in writing, you add a statement along the lines of "We neither wish to dispute the decision regarding the mobility component, nor the fact that the lower rate was correctly awarded at the time.", the decision maker wouldn't look at the areas regarding those parts of the claim. The important thing is to emphasise that the reason for a review/reconsideration is because the original condition has worsened, or that further disabilities/illnesses have developed, and to back that up with documentary evidence.

Finally, NEVER EVER do these thing on your own. ALWAYS seek advice from a CAB, etc.

Hope this helps.

Yes, I knew that, it tells you in some of the bumf they send.

I got my low rate after asking them to look at it again and having a doc come out and the ordeal was so much I didnt want to go to appeal knowing there was a possibility that they would take it all away.

An experienced representative would ensure that that couldn't happen. You can ask for a review at any time during the award if you do decide to go for it.

Has anyone one else had problems sorting there disability allowance out? We put a claim in for disabilty months ago to get a letter back saying my son isn't entitled to it as he isn't down as disabled.I don't know how they worked that out as he is going to ryegate 3 days a week and is autistic. We asked for it to be looked at again and they said they would but we still haven't heard anything.It wouldn't be so bad but the claim was sent in in april when he was diagnosed. Have any of you had problems with this? :help:

hi there
sorry to ake this question but has your son been statmented if so did you send this in with the form also any letter that conferm the he is ortsic and as learning difficultys also help speach therpy letters as well help and a letter from school also will help you .
if he is not statmented with the school then get him done
hpe this helps nikki

I replied, "Doctor, if I knew that, don't you think I'd be able to take measures to avert these falls, after countless grazes and bruises, three sprained ankles, two sprained wrists, and a head injury, all in the space of three months?"

GRRR

Lay off the Vodka! :D

Joking apart, its the scrubbers and parasites that are constantly putting in false claims that are causing problems for the people who really need the benefits like yourself. These people should be taken to one side and gassed.

I've just had my first re application and have been awarded it for three years this time, I still had to appeal even though I was an existing claimant. It has to be made difficult or more people would try to fiddle it. Unfortunately for someone like me who suffers from severe paranoia and serious bouts of depression as part of my disability, it can just make you feel a whole lot worse.
It's worth it in the end though.

Lay off the Vodka! :D

Joking apart, its the scrubbers and parasites that are constantly putting in false claims that are causing problems for the people who really need the benefits like yourself. These people should be taken to one side and gassed.

:lol: vodka? :lol:

listen, :wink: I'd like to find the vodka that can have as much of the "falling-down" effects that my neuro- damage has on me. I'd make a small fortune :D :lol:

on the serious side, it certainly took a long time to get the "social" to accept it was genuine, I had to appeal and appeal to get it in the first place. It was a nightmare.

I recently (about 18 months ago) renewed, and a "social"-employed doctor came to visit me at home,to check my claim's validity, and I found out all sorts of things whilst she was examining me for my claim.

One is that the weakness down my right side is not imaginary, and that there is definitely a discrepancy in the sizes of my right leg and arm compared to my left ones. (right is atrophied in comparison to the left). another is that the falls I have, especially when moving from sitting to standing are possibly due to a drastic drop in BP that she observed when I move between the two.

The upshot was, that these things, as well as the numerous other health probs I have, have resulted in me being given what used to be called a "lifetime" award for my DLA. Which certainly takes some of the pressure off.

I think it would make sense if you communicated with your GP, so that they can update your sons medical records at the practice. If the GP's practice have not been informed that your son has been referred to Rygate by another health agency and diagnosed as adhd, then the GP practice will say that your son does not have adhd, simply because it is not in his medical records. Also when you submit the claim for DLA, you should also add supporting evidence from people who know your son, an aunty, uncle, grand-parent etc, and also from professional bodies like his named nurse at Rygate, his care worker there, the social worker if one is involved, the health professional that referred him to Rygate, his GP, once he has been made aware of your sons diagnosis. These all go towards saving time by the benefits agency not having to send letters out and wait for reply's. Always photocopy the supporting evidence so that you have a copy, just in case the originals 'get lost' in the system. Good Luck.

to jena

but the claim was sent in in april when he was diagnosed. Have any of you had problems with this?

a quote from your op. to get dla the condition has to have been diagnosed for six months just to qualify. Offically you cannot apply until October 2007

Did you put in for lower rate DLA or higher rate??? Lower rate your more likley to be accepted for such things...

Did you put in for lower rate DLA or higher rate??? Lower rate your more likley to be accepted for such things...

When I applied for DLA and when I recently re-applied, I applied for the benefit not the rate. They decide what rate to put you in for and then if you are granted the lower rate and feel it is not enough you can appeal to have it raised.
I havent seen a form that you can request which rate you want.

I think that I must be one of very few people who has actually had a change of heart after the appeal but before the tribunal- purely on the extra evidence that I sent in to them to support my appeal.

Just like in your case Jena, I nominated my palliative care doctor as the doctor who knows the most about me and could answer the questions about all of the problems in one go- so they contacted my oncologist who knows nothing about my spinal problems or mobility problems (since he only treats me for my tumour in my shoulder).

After they'd turned down my appeal and booked a date for a tribunal I sent in lots of evidence from other doctors and a very specific breakdown from my osteopath about my spinal problems- and the week before my tribunal they sent me a letter confirming that their original decision to reduce my DLA was wrong. Wahay!

to jena

but the claim was sent in in april when he was diagnosed. Have any of you had problems with this?

a quote from your op. to get dla the condition has to have been diagnosed for six months just to qualify. Offically you cannot apply until October 2007

The thread was from last year mate so she could!

In any case, for people under 65, the backwards qualifying period (how long it has been medically diagnosed for) is 3 months, and the forwards qualifying period (how long the condition is expected to last) is 6 months, in order to qualify.

If someone has DLA which goes on after their 65th birthday however, and their care needs change, then the backwards qualifying period for those changes becomes 6 months, the same as Attendance Allowance.

I think it would make sense if you communicated with your GP, so that they can update your sons medical records at the practice. If the GP's practice have not been informed that your son has been referred to Rygate by another health agency and diagnosed as adhd, then the GP practice will say that your son does not have adhd, simply because it is not in his medical records. Also when you submit the claim for DLA, you should also add supporting evidence from people who know your son, an aunty, uncle, grand-parent etc, and also from professional bodies like his named nurse at Rygate, his care worker there, the social worker if one is involved, the health professional that referred him to Rygate, his GP, once he has been made aware of your sons diagnosis. These all go towards saving time by the benefits agency not having to send letters out and wait for reply's. Always photocopy the supporting evidence so that you have a copy, just in case the originals 'get lost' in the system. Good Luck.

I agree with most of that, but don't use unqualified medical 'advice'. It will be dismissed when a decision maker comes to look at it in any case, as there would be medical statements there which will take precedence.

All it would do is confuse matters if it had to go to tribunal (which I hope it wouldn't).

Only get statements from professionals who know his condition well.

I think that I must be one of very few people who has actually had a change of heart after the appeal but before the tribunal- purely on the extra evidence that I sent in to them to support my appeal.

Just like in your case Jena, I nominated my palliative care doctor as the doctor who knows the most about me and could answer the questions about all of the problems in one go- so they contacted my oncologist who knows nothing about my spinal problems or mobility problems (since he only treats me for my tumour in my shoulder).

After they'd turned down my appeal and booked a date for a tribunal I sent in lots of evidence from other doctors and a very specific breakdown from my osteopath about my spinal problems- and the week before my tribunal they sent me a letter confirming that their original decision to reduce my DLA was wrong. Wahay!

I know I'm nitpicking, but can I just explain that you had a reconsideration turned down, not an appeal? The only reason why I mention it is because people can get very confused when it comes to these matters, and there is a huge difference between the two.

The appeal stage is when it reaches a tribunal; when you first say 'er, this is wrong' is the reconsideration (used to be called a review). You can only have one appeal.

If though, there was an 'error in law', then you could ask for a Commissioners' Hearing. This is where, effectively, the law is called into account, and not just the extent of any disability, and whether the tribunal used the law correctly.

Sorry to go on.

Well I received another DLA application form today. I requested the first one about four years ago but couldn't fill it in. I got another one about two years ago, again couldn't fill it in. Just to clarify - I couldn't fill it in because I don't have the physical strength to write for more than a few sentences.

Now my illness has deteriorated i'm unfortunately in the position where I have to claim it because I need the money to pay for additional care and to hopefully make it possible for me to get out and about sometimes.

I've been advised by my health worker to make a claim. I've asked for help in completing the form and i've been told that someone will call me in about two weeks time and they'll ask me the questions over the phone, fill the form in for me and then post it to me to sign. That's going to at least mean the form gets filled in. I'm a bit worried though because it will mean i'll have to answer the questions pretty quickly and i'm not very good with verbal communication. It seems to me that some people are more disadvantaged than others in being able to claim this benefit, particularly people who are in a similar situation to me and would find it as difficult to access places such as CAB as it is to fill in the form.

Well I received another DLA application form today. I requested the first one about four years ago but couldn't fill it in. I got another one about two years ago, again couldn't fill it in. Just to clarify - I couldn't fill it in because I don't have the physical strength to write for more than a few sentences.

Now my illness has deteriorated i'm unfortunately in the position where I have to claim it because I need the money to pay for additional care and to hopefully make it possible for me to get out and about sometimes.

I've been advised by my health worker to make a claim. I've asked for help in completing the form and i've been told that someone will call me in about two weeks time and they'll ask me the questions over the phone, fill the form in for me and then post it to me to sign. That's going to at least mean the form gets filled in. I'm a bit worried though because it will mean i'll have to answer the questions pretty quickly and i'm not very good with verbal communication. It seems to me that some people are more disadvantaged than others in being able to claim this benefit, particularly people who are in a similar situation to me and would find it as difficult to access places such as CAB as it is to fill in the form.

Call CAB someone will come to your house and help you fill it in, they did it for me.

Have you looked at the possibility of completing an application online?

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/eservice/#

I know I'm nitpicking, but can I just explain that you had a reconsideration turned down, not an appeal? The only reason why I mention it is because people can get very confused when it comes to these matters, and there is a huge difference between the two.

The appeal stage is when it reaches a tribunal; when you first say 'er, this is wrong' is the reconsideration (used to be called a review). You can only have one appeal.

If though, there was an 'error in law', then you could ask for a Commissioners' Hearing. This is where, effectively, the law is called into account, and not just the extent of any disability, and whether the tribunal used the law correctly.

Sorry to go on.

OK- I was refused at the reconsideration and they then changed their mind at the 11th hour the week before the tribunal.

Call CAB someone will come to your house and help you fill it in, they did it for me.

I didn't know anyone would do that - thanks for the info. No disrespect to the person who would call me from the DLA office, but, I think i'd prefer someone 'independant' and who might be able to spend more time going through it with me.

CGKSheff, thanks for the link too.

i am having to put in a appeal for my daughter, she has been getting dla since she was 4 months old, she has celebral palsy, i first got it for a year, then claimed again and got it for 2 years, when i ask if i could get it for longer, was told my daughter could grow out of the condition, found out since my daughter has type 1 diabetes when i was ready to reclaim, i was allowed it for longer but now had my payments lower, due to my daughter getting middle care comp not full, because i forgot to say that my daughter was receiving care in the night, asked for a review was turned down so now going in for the appeal

I didn't know anyone would do that - thanks for the info. No disrespect to the person who would call me from the DLA office, but, I think i'd prefer someone 'independant' and who might be able to spend more time going through it with me.

CGKSheff, thanks for the link too.

You could also call the Benefit Enquiry Line, who are extremely helpful - 0800 88 22 00. They will complete the form and help at the same time, and all in your own time. I would think it would be better to have someone visit you though - talking over a phone just doesn't give the adviser enough information. Some of the non-verbal stuff is vital when writing the form up.

Not all CAB's do visits, but there are independent advice services too who might (not all general advice centres are CAB's - such as Woodseats Advice Centre).

Roughly which area do you live in? I might have a local contact.

i am having to put in a appeal for my daughter, she has been getting dla since she was 4 months old, she has celebral palsy, i first got it for a year, then claimed again and got it for 2 years, when i ask if i could get it for longer, was told my daughter could grow out of the condition, found out since my daughter has type 1 diabetes when i was ready to reclaim, i was allowed it for longer but now had my payments lower, due to my daughter getting middle care comp not full, because i forgot to say that my daughter was receiving care in the night, asked for a review was turned down so now going in for the appeal

Make sure you have representation at the tribunal, and that your representative has the relevant paperwork well in advance.

OK- I was refused at the reconsideration and they then changed their mind at the 11th hour the week before the tribunal.

I wasn't being funny, but when people get those two bits wrong, it confuses others who are in the same boat, and they don't appeal in time, which means all is lost.

I just wanted to make it clear.

Since moving up to Sheffield I'm amazed at the number of people who claim disabilty allowances and such like.
It some times seems that everyone I meet is racing around in a mobility car and has some rare, uncurable disease.
Seems to be a Northern thing because I never met so many "disabled" folks down South. :suspect:

Tightening up?! So it's going to be even harder for genuine claimants to get benefits now because of the few who are on the fiddle and claiming benefits they don't need?! :rant:

It's nowt to do with fiddling benefit claims and everything to do with containing, or better still, cutting the costs involved with benefit claims. It therefore4 means that to get any benefits reuqires a hjigher level of disability for the same benefits.

It's nowt to do with fiddling benefit claims and everything to do with containing, or better still, cutting the costs involved with benefit claims. It therefore4 means that to get any benefits reuqires a hjigher level of disability for the same benefits.

i know of people getting higher rate for both levels and some admit to lying through their back teeth to get it, now to be told that your daughter will outgrow celebral palsy (miracle if she did) and that diabetes (type 1) isnt classed as a disability, is bull. my daughter has trouble walking all the time, wakes up several times in the night, due to her sugar levels and occassionally has hypos in the night, 1 night even had a diabetic fit, which was very scaring, what more do i have to say in the form to get the higher rate of care comp, its sucks.

oh and i forgot to mentioned she is under 4 hospitals (yes 4), for her illnessness, ryegate for her celebral palsy, northern for her diabetes, hallamshire for her eyes, and the childrens for her legs as she got one leg longer then the other, and all 4 doctors wrote me letters to back me up, my daughter is even on first name terms with the doctors as she has been under them all for so long, she is 6 now and under the doctors since she was 4 months old

Since moving up to Sheffield I'm amazed at the number of people who claim disabilty allowances and such like.
It some times seems that everyone I meet is racing around in a mobility car and has some rare, uncurable disease.
Seems to be a Northern thing because I never met so many "disabled" folks down South. :suspect:

are you always this arrogant? Are you disabled yourself?

Since moving up to Sheffield I'm amazed at the number of people who claim disabilty allowances and such like.
It some times seems that everyone I meet is racing around in a mobility car and has some rare, uncurable disease.
Seems to be a Northern thing because I never met so many "disabled" folks down South. :suspect:

suspect all you like.

yes, of course, anywhere there will be people like the bodybuilder who's just been "done" last week, for falsely claiming benefits... Thank god, he is the exception, rather than the rule.

however, because of the heavy industrialisation here in the north, there are statistically much more people who will have contracted conditions like miner's lung (silicosis etc, which the steel and cutlery industries also produce), or been injured in steelworks/industrial accidents.

I'd just thank my lucky stars, If I were you, and think "there but for the grace of god, go I...!"

suspect all you like.

yes, of course, anywhere there will be people like the bodybuilder who's just been "done" last week, for falsely claiming benefits... Thank god, he is the exception, rather than the rule.

however, because of the heavy industrialisation here in the north, there are statistically much more people who will have contracted conditions like miner's lung (silicosis etc, which the steel and cutlery industries also produce), or been injured in steelworks/industrial accidents.

I'd just thank my lucky stars, If I were you, and think "there but for the grace of god, go I...!"

I agree , it is easy to cast aspersions but no one knows what the future holds do we?

maybe scoobydoo should think she is one of the lucky ones like plain talker said. maybe she should move back to where she lived before if she is complaining, it seems where she lived before is a better place to live

I agree , it is easy to cast aspersions but no one knows what the future holds do we?

Exactly. Look at me, I was a hale and hearty, active woman before I took ill.

I loved liking, and dancing, walking my dog. Now It's a good day if I can make it to my garden gate on my sticks.

I did not know I was going to suffer neurological damage. I did not know I was going to have to rely on a chair to get out and about.

Look at Christopher Reeve, bless him.(RIP) He was buff, he was healthy, He was in his prime, and all it took for him to become a quadriplegic was a simple tumble off the horse he was riding. It wasn't a big fall he just landed awkwardly, and bingo! his neck was broken, and his spinal cord severed. He spent the last 11 years of his life dependent on a ventilator, and a wheelchair.

and maybe to some people christopher reeve shouldnt have claimed d, l, a if he did. some people like to talk to the carer not the person, my daughter hates that, and i also work with disabled people and they say the same, just because they are in a wheelchair doesnt mean they cant talk, at the end of the day, they have a brain and the function to speak

are you always this arrogant? Are you disabled yourself?

What's arrogant about stating what has come to my attention ? Are you always so stupid ? :loopy:

suspect all you like.

yes, of course, anywhere there will be people like the bodybuilder who's just been "done" last week, for falsely claiming benefits... Thank god, he is the exception, rather than the rule.

however, because of the heavy industrialisation here in the north, there are statistically much more people who will have contracted conditions like miner's lung (silicosis etc, which the steel and cutlery industries also produce), or been injured in steelworks/industrial accidents.

I'd just thank my lucky stars, If I were you, and think "there but for the grace of god, go I...!"


Suspect what of who ? There is heavy industry in the south of the country as well.
Most of the people I have come across claiming DLA seem to be in their 40s and never seen the bottom of a mine or inside a steelworks.

What's arrogant about stating what has come to my attention ? Are you always so stupid ? :loopy:

I think using marks around the word disabled and the use of:suspect: made you come across as being a little on the erm snotty side, I wouldn't use the term arrogant as such But you did appear to be insinuating something with your comment.

I think using marks around the word disabled and the use of:suspect: made you come across as being a little on the erm snotty side, I wouldn't use the term arrogant as such But you did appear to be insinuating something with your comment.

Thank you for pointing that out to me.

If you go across to SIGN based at Ryegate the staff there have loads of info on claiming and can advise you

If you go across to SIGN based at Ryegate the staff there have loads of info on claiming and can advise you

sorry, i did try to quote the person who was having problems with DLA for their son! Not sure what happened lol:roll:

Since moving up to Sheffield I'm amazed at the number of people who claim disabilty allowances and such like.
It some times seems that everyone I meet is racing around in a mobility car and has some rare, uncurable disease.
Seems to be a Northern thing because I never met so many "disabled" folks down South. :suspect:

Quite a few years ago I went to a town on the West Coast (can't remember the name of it now) and as part of my job at that time I was discussing issues such as teenage pregnancy levels which I was told were particularly high. The person I was talking to also said: "you'll notice we have a very high incidence of disability in this area - we think it's something to do with the chemical plant but no-one's ever proved it" :o

I was like: "well, gotta dash"... Honestly! So, if there are higher levels of disability in the North (I don't know any of the statistics so can't say one way or the other) then there may be some very good reasons for that - the asbestos factory in Leeds, Coal mines and associated lung problems, etc etc.

Since moving up to Sheffield I'm amazed at the number of people who claim disabilty allowances and such like.
It some times seems that everyone I meet is racing around in a mobility car and has some rare, uncurable disease.
Seems to be a Northern thing because I never met so many "disabled" folks down South. :suspect:

Greetings Scoobydoo.......I am Julado, disabled southerner........may I politely ask you to clarify the point you were making in the above post :D

Gosh.... I have just applied for DLA and had the visit from the doctor …who was polite, cold and patronising... he turned up out of the blue... he said a letter has been sent and that was it...I hadn’t even received it due to the postal strike, and I was still in my dressing gown after a bad night, my OH was out... but he was insistent and I felt so crap, I ended up letting him in.

I have a very rare form of angina... called Prinzemetal angina, which means I can have angina attacks anywhere anytime... I don't have to exert myself either...I have low BP and my meds make it worse, I have anaemia, IBS, blah blah blah…. And am fighting depression, mainly because of the rest of the b**dy above illness’ which have meant I have been almost housebound since last September.

Some days are better than others.., It doesn't/didn’t ‘help;, I think, that I don't look disabled... (let me add that was a 'label' that I have really struggled to come to terms with...) and I made a mistake I think because I managed a smile.., hmmmm.

I do want to and hope that I can work again sometime, as financially we are in the poo as I was working part time temping... but I was hopeing for some help/monies from DLA

I didn't hold out much hope before that I would get any DLA , now I don't think I have a cat in hell of getting any..... :(

Gosh.... I have just applied for DLA and had the visit from the doctor …who was polite, cold and patronising... he turned up out of the blue... he said a letter has been sent and that was it...I hadn’t even received it due to the postal strike, and I was still in my dressing gown after a bad night, my OH was out... but he was insistent and I felt so crap, I ended up letting him in.

Well you should have had more notice, but I know of somebody who was asked on a Friday afternoon, to attend an Incap review medical on the Monday immediately following the call on the Friday.

I have a very rare form of angina... called Prinzemetal angina, which means I can have angina attacks anywhere anytime... I don't have to exert myself either...I have low BP and my meds make it worse, I have anaemia, IBS, blah blah blah…. And am fighting depression, mainly because of the rest of the b**dy above illness’ which have meant I have been almost housebound since last September.

Some days are better than others.., It doesn't/didn’t ‘help;, I think, that I don't look disabled... (let me add that was a 'label' that I have really struggled to come to terms with...) and I made a mistake I think because I managed a smile.., hmmmm.

Don't kick yourself about it. When I was signed off from work about 6 years ago when my marriage broke down, I was having a beer, still playing rugby and cricket and all the rest of it. My manager told me to take some annual leave. I did and then went to the quack who took my BP. 225/160. He said I should be dead. It's not much better now.

There are days where I have to sit up straight now, even though it hurts me to do it, just to allieviate the pains down my left hand side.

I do want to and hope that I can work again sometime, as financially we are in the poo as I was working part time temping... but I was hopeing for some help/monies from DLA

I didn't hold out much hope before that I would get any DLA , now I don't think I have a cat in hell of getting any..... :(

Don't give up.

I have just been turned down for DLA. 12 month's ago i was working as a driver and was in a fairly bad crash. Luckily i was'nt hurt badly but had whiplash which affected my shoulders and back. In the following month's my doctor was monitoring my blood pressure because it was high, eventually i was sent for blood tests and was found to be diabetic. I did'nt have a clue about diabetes but soon began to learn (with the help of several forumers may i add). It soon became clear to me that i had probably had diabetes for a few years without knowing. I've had bad feet for ages and suffered recuring bouts of thrush(:blush:) for about 6 years.1 year on and i am nowhere near the person i was before accident ok i'm a lot better off than some people but still have problems walking, lifting ect so theres no way i could do my old job at moment. so struggling for money (can't claim c. tax benefits ect wife earns 5.35 a hour in her kitchen job) went down DLA road. As i said been turned down,I told the good lady on the phone i was in pain when i walked her reply was that i needed to be in excrusiating pain and the pain was that bad i could'nt walk any further. Anyway what i would like a opinion on is now i've been turned down am i wasting my time going to appeal and also am i disabled or not because i sure feel it at moment. Thanks for your time.

People who are having difficulty with DLA could do a lot worse than visit this website http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

You do have to subscribe (I think it's about £16 for an individual) to get all the info, including the guide to making a DLA application, but the guide is fantastic. Someone I know jumped up in both the mobility and care rates after making her reapplication using the guide. Organisations can also subscribe.

People who are having difficulty with DLA could do a lot worse than visit this website http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/

You do have to subscribe (I think it's about £16 for an individual) to get all the info, including the guide to making a DLA application, but the guide is fantastic. Someone I know jumped up in both the mobility and care rates after making her reapplication using the guide. Organisations can also subscribe.

I have come across this before, but felt that it was a bit of a liberty to charge £16 so I didnt do anything. Is it really worth it?

I notice they have a section especially on the how far you can walk thing. I ended up with zero mobility even though I have pain whilst walking and cant walk that far. The problem is I can walk ... ! Like one of the other posters said "you have to be in excruciating pain whilst walking" to qualify. So it might be worth me looking into it I suppose.

My original claim resulting in lower rate care took so much time and energy that I will really have to psyche myself up to claim again.

I have come across this before, but felt that it was a bit of a liberty to charge £16 so I didnt do anything. Is it really worth it?

I notice they have a section especially on the how far you can walk thing. I ended up with zero mobility even though I have pain whilst walking and cant walk that far. The problem is I can walk ... ! Like one of the other posters said "you have to be in excruciating pain whilst walking" to qualify. So it might be worth me looking into it I suppose.

My original claim resulting in lower rate care took so much time and energy that I will really have to psyche myself up to claim again.

No, you need to have to stop with regard to Incapacity Benefit. This could be through pain, exhaustion, or sheer physical inability. While there is an element of 'stopping' involved in DLA mobility component (and indeed care, as the pain could induce a fall), pain isn't the only part of it. In DLA, it's simply the ability on a regular basis.

The difference is that while there is some leeway in DLA for occasional ability, Incap is much more rigid.

To be honest, I think people are better off having an experienced person to help complete the form than to use a guide. It may be brilliant, but a real person can word things much better, and won't use a text book. The outside influence often makes things clearer.

Has anyone one else had problems sorting there disability allowance out? We put a claim in for disabilty months ago to get a letter back saying my son isn't entitled to it as he isn't down as disabled.I don't know how they worked that out as he is going to ryegate 3 days a week and is autistic. We asked for it to be looked at again and they said they would but we still haven't heard anything.It wouldn't be so bad but the claim was sent in in april when he was diagnosed. Have any of you had problems with this? :help:

I would get your social worker and dr's from rygate to get involved cos DLA will listen more to them than you I know its sill but to be honest the people who are disabled could do better job than them. Hope you get it sorted soon.