disability

[lisabunny44]

can you claim for disability allowance if you have been diagnosed with anxiety?

[BriarRose]

Not sure if you mean Invalidity Benefit (as it used to be called) or Disabled Living Allowance.

If Invalidity Benefit (now I think called Employment Maintenance and Support) - yes, if you've been signed off as unfit for work, you can claim this - ring your local Jobcentre.

Disabled Living Allowance - yes, if your illness impacts on your ability to care for yourself or (unlikely) your mobility. Disabled Living Allowance is split into two parts - care needs and mobility needs. For instance, I receive the lowest rate of the care allowance, as my MH problems make it very difficult to "motivate" myself to cook/eat for myself. I was initially refused - because some clerk in some office didn't read my form properly! - but I appealed and won

If you think you might be eligible for the DLA, I would STRONGLY advise you to get help applying - your local CAB would probably do this for you, if you have no other support worker - like a CPN or Psychiatric Social Worker. The DLA forms are a bit of a nightmare, and my support worker helped with my application - although I did my own appeal, as i got so cross that they;d just ignored what we'd put! But DON'T let this put you off for applying, you can do it online, or download the forms - that might give you a better idea of what's involved. It is a pain - they never make things easy for you if you're ill nowadays! BUT if successful, it is worth having - I get £20 pw and that's the lowest amount, and only the care component.

Talk to the CAB, but if i can help in any way, do let me know.

Good luck!

Rose

xxxx

[ellabella]

Hi Lisa, As Rose has explained this so well, I won't go over it again ...but yes you can! I get Disability Living Allowance for help with getting around as I have agoraphobia and find it very difficult if not impossible to leave home on my own. I do keep trying!!! I get the lower rate as well and use this for a taxi home from shopping and medication collection. It is very frustrating as I had to appeal as well. Worth it though as you don't have to completely depend on other people to take you where you need to go Good Luck! x Ella x

[lisabunny44]

Hello... Thank you both very much for the advice.... Lisa

[Essie49]

I too have had top end of DLA for about 16 years. I had mine completed by a welfare officer who was invaluable. Always write as if it is the worst day you can remember. I thought that the DLA had now been replaced by PIP which is a completely different ball game. If so you certainly need professional help. Someone posted a site on here which shows you the best way to fill in the forms. Perhaps you could search for it. I hope you succeed.