I am at 52% FEV

[Tee-hee]

I am at 52% FEV can I claim DLA and blue badge, I have had to give up work, so I do not know how I am going to make ends meet now

[SophiaG]

Ask for the forms giving up working is a sign of how much the condition affects normal living.

[Hidden]

Disability not FEV1 is the reason DLA awards are made some things creep up without realizing how many parts of normal living have passed the same way as working life.

Trying to remember what is normal was my biggest test adapting my lifestyle with each setback normal has a habit of moving so normal is what you want to do but cannot because of disability.

Ali

[Tee-hee]

On my last admission to hospital with severe chest pains and short of breath, I was discharged after a few days as the consultant diagnosed constipation and trapped wind as the problem. I don't even use oxygen yet, so I wonder if it will get worse, if or when I'm put on it?

[coastal1 in reply to Tee-hee]

Don't know much about dla but others do and will be along to advise . How long is it since you were diagnosed ?.

I don't know if you smoke , most people on here have done so you won't be judged. The main advice is to stop smoking and this will more or less halt the progress of the disease. The second advice is exercise as much as possible. Have you been on a PR ( pulmonary rehabilitation course )

Your doctor or nurse can put you forward for this. I believe that they include talks on many lung disease topics and exercises geared to the individual. I am fairly new to copd and this forum so hope someone with more information will be along soon.

( I too am 52/55% but am managing O K at the moment. ) Cheers

[stone-UK]

Hi

PIP which it is now called. Is awarded not for the condition but the effect that condition as on your mobility and care needs.

Download for form PIP 2 which is a example form which you can look at, and decide your way forward. The awards are based on a points system. 8 points for standard and 12 points for enhanced award.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Blue badges are issued by your local council, ther is a assessment to go through. Unless you are awarded the enhanced payment for PIP mobility.

[derrylynne]

You can try but I doubt it. You are at the moderate stage. I myself was working until I got below 30% FEV. I wish I was at 52%. I would be back at work like a shot even though I am retired..

[Toci in reply to derrylynne]

Me too. Finished when dropped to mid 20s and would go back tomorrow.

[Sohara]

I doubt you would get a blue badge just because your FEV is 52% It would only be if you had other problems that meant you could not walk far

Why did you have to give up work? perhaps that may be a reason that you would qualify for a badge

I doubt my FEV has been 52% since I was about 35 ( I VERY long time ago) and I have worked all my life still do go in part time ( when well) and I am severe stage 3

[Plumbob]

The Blue Badge distribution is a farce.. I can walk on level ground in good conditions for a reasonable distance without the aid of a stick or support But what nobody sees is my heart rate can treble and my oxygen drops to around 90%. These conditions get worse if there's a headwind or slight incline !! and with having asbestosis as well as emphysema my lungs are only transferring 60% of oxygen into my body. Just a trip to the hospital and walk from the car park to entrance shatters me for the day... Grrrrr?

[Offcut in reply to Plumbob]

I have been there I have heart, lungs and joint problems and will show a fair o2 when sitting doing nothing and will have lose 20%+ with the mildest of exercise and a further 12.5% when flat. But I have a Blue Badge without PIP Mobility. I did have a bit of a battle with the latest badge but they ended up apologising and awarding me the badge again which makes my life so much easier unless some no badge low life parks in the spot allocated.

[Plumbob in reply to Offcut]

Hi Offcut, after talking about Blue Badge I decided to have another go at applying for one and oddly enough i got to speak to an informative young lady from our council and she stated that they will take into account pain & discomfort regardless of the distance you can achieve. What she did say was put as much info as you can about your condition in part 3 of questionnaire and submit it, which i now duly have, so fingers crossed?? nice to speak to someone at the council who knows their stuff and listens...Watch this space !!! Plumbob (ps won't hold my breath!!! LOL)

[Daza70 in reply to Plumbob]

I've seen some people displaying blue badges on vehicles, and I must say there more able bodied than an athlete.

[Hidden in reply to Daza70]

Yes a very abused scheme taking spaces from people that need them.

[libby7827]

HI, Tee Hee, at 52% I would doubt very much you would qualify for a blue badge or DLA/PIP. I was in the mid 20's before I applied, now under 20% can do very little (housebound) was still only get the low element of care. If you have other conditions that affect your mobility or inability to function then you should list all these on your applications. Get the forms, put the kettle on, and take your time, you need to give every little bit of information you can. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Libby x

[Offcut]

gov.uk/benefits-adviser is a good place to start answer the question in your worse days.

[onamission]

I have level 4 COPD and the lung capacity of a 87 year old I'm 21 no not really I'm 53 but my brain has a lot of catching up. I have a blue badge our council are very good and you don't have to claim DLA to get one, but PIP I wish you all the very best.

[Tee-hee]

Thank you for assistance the everybody

[helingmic]

I have applied and got the DLA. It's now called PIP. Do apply, and mention on the form all the "bad" bits, like shortness of breath on movement, cannot walk more than 50 yards without being short of breath, get recurring chest infections becaue of chest, and so forth. Try to find a CAB to help you fill the form. The CAB has their own information and fight your case well to get your PIP. Yes, you might have to go and see an official doctor. But stress to him that COPD is a progressive illnes and makes you disabled in a way that you can not do normal things in life, like going to the shop regularly to buy your food. Hope you get it. if you are disabled, you ought to as no one else is going to look after you.

[Offcut in reply to helingmic]

It is now 20 metres under new rules which is so wrong as building regs state disability parking can be no more than 50 metres from an entrance?

[helingmic in reply to Offcut]

Oh, offcut, please visit the CAB. I used to work for them on their updates. We had huge folders that covered every eventuality the government rules used to throw to everyone. they were think volumes with all the regulations in many small details of the ifs and whens! I hope you get there.

[doublecee]

Hi Tee Hee, i'm surprised no one has suggested you get intouch with your local council and request a Social Service visit to obtain and assessment. This might just be the start of the procedure as they will probably contact your gP. So put him in the picture at the first opportunity. This is how I found out I was entitled to Attendance Allowance etc. The worst that can happen is that you get a refusal. If that does happen you give it another six months and then re-apply. good Luck. Cyril.

[MarieW-F]

I dont' think its as easily defined as that. My FEV is at 34%, I have a blue badge but work full time ad was turned down for DLA. My Blue Badge expires next year and i fully expect to lose that too. It will be on each individaul case I think and lord knows as testified on here its getting harder and harder to get any type of benefit.

Good luck.