Dla for asthma?

Hi I'm after some advice I'm 35 an had asthma all my life always been bad with it but got a lot worse about 5 years ago.

Since then I have been diagnosed as having brittle asthma and Bronchiectasis I take a lot of meds and am under the Brompton yet my asthma is still out if control and most recently I had a bad attack that required me to be put in a coma and on a ventilator I was lucky I survived.

I struggle with most things every day and have a constant wheeze and always short of breathe I don't go out much as my breathing is so bad and rely on my kids to help around the house.

I have been told by friends that I might qualify for DLA, but am in two minds as to if I should make a claim or not? Has any one else made a claim and been successful? I always thought that asthma was one of the things you couldn't get it for but I struggle daily and do have care and mobility needs and those who have asthma as bad as I do will understand.

Thanks

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The only thing you can do is apply and see what happens, at the moment a lot of people are being turned down as the government are cutting costs. If you are going to apply for DLA, apply before PIP comes in on the 8 April 2013 because the conditions for getting PIP will be harder to meet. Good luck....

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Hello Sammy and first of all, welcome!

To get basics out of the way, there is plenty of information on the Asthma UK Website - have a look along the dropdowns from the green bar at the top - and also this forum. You can search both using the search boxes under the Asthma UK logo in the top corner.

There certainly is and has been several Brompton patients on here, myself included and also people with severe asthma inc. on a ventilator. There may be some with bronchiectasis too.

DLA is not something I have applied for but I do know people that have for various reasons. You haven't said if you work but seems perhaps not?, this Asthma UK page Financial support if you're of working age and DirectGov Disability Living Allowance will have more information.

I struggle with most things every day and have a constant wheeze and always short of breathe I don't go out much as my breathing is so bad and rely on my kids to help around the house.

I have been told by friends that I might qualify for DLA, but am in two minds as to if I should make a claim or not? Has any one else made a claim and been successful? I always thought that asthma was one of the things you couldn't get it for but I struggle daily and do have care and mobility needs and those who have asthma as bad as I do will understand.

Thanks That does sound difficult and you may be able to claim as DirectGov states ""Disability Living Allowance has two parts called 'components': a care component - if you need help looking after yourself or supervision to keep safe and a mobility component - if you can't walk or need help getting around."" It is certainly worth considering. As I said before have a good look around here but good starting points could be a more recent thread DLA. Also, there are threads on Brompton patients and if you would like to meet up see here The meeting thread.

Good luck as it may be a rather tedious and lengthy process but do persevere

[KateMoss]

Hello,

I have had DLA for my asthma since 1997.

The system has got stricter since I applied and renewed in 2000....

Go for it. I am not sure what the forms are like now.... not looking forward to the PIP assessments next year.

It has certainly helped me, my mobility is rubbish now and I need help with daily stuff too.

Kate

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Hey sammy!! Massive welcome to the forum!!

I have apllied for DLA 4 times and refused each time.

On my.5th time I got citizen advice to fill in the form as theu know the best ways to do (so would defonatly recommend). Sadly O got refusedagainon the 5th time so agree with people that it is getting tougher. On this occasion though I am taking it to tribunial as they said im not at risk of fallin ( even though stated that in last month alone ive fallen trhough low sats or exhaustion and broke bones) they also told me they would wait for a consultant report, to which I found out my cons was waiting for a recent specialist admission to be complete (but dla decided to go ahead and change their mind) and finally they said in report that i didnt need my mum to cook for me, do washing and cleaning etc and also that she didnt help me with meds and treatments (yet in claim form CAB explained how i used to live solo untill recently when i needed mums care and also that she does help me at night and help with treatments and also run me to appointment)

Hopfully ill win tribunial but who knows.

Just remember to stay strong if you choose to applie. We here will support you!! And write every detail even if you thing simple to you. If its not in their lives its an extra you have to contend with!!

Massive hugs!!

Xxx

Ps...sorry if i rambled lol

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I'm a social worker and do a lot of DLA applications with people.

To get DLA care, and/or mobility you have to need help for some of the day, most days, with personal care tasks, help with meal preparation, preparing or administering medication. For mobility, you have to require guidance or supervision with walking around out of doors, or moving around within the home for a substantial amount of time during a week. Not having this help would place you at risk of deterioration in your condition or risk of harm to yourself. If a person has severe or brittle asthma I would think that that person does meet these criteria.

When I do the forms, I always write it based on the client's worst day. Because that is what the help is there for, if that makes sense.

Often the CAB or local welfare rights organisations can help you with appeals and support you to prepare your case.

It is always worth having a go - I think there are probably a lot of people out there with asthma who qualify for DLA but don't apply because of thinking their needs aren't high enough.

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Hi there

I got Dla with asthma (and some other stuff) on my first application last year. Dla is based on the effect or symptoms you have. Walking includes how far you can walk with stops and starts before you get really uncomfortable.

Remember, if you are on meds that give you side effects those are also included. For me the salbutamol shakes from Nebs every day affect what I can do. Another problem I find with bad asthma is the fatigue. If this affects you then it limits what you can manage in a day.

If you are under the RBH team you should have lots of letters/ opinions from them about your asthma and possibly some physio input. I am too and took the route of declaring everything and sent copies of all my letters, a and e discharge summaries and physio reports to back up my statements (+100 pages!!!).

The only other thing to remember is to let your gp and consultants know you are applying as they will be sent paperwork from dwp.

Hope this helps

MoominMama x

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I get DLA for asthma and the effects of the meds.

When comes to applying just put as much as you can in the application all letters, reports, test results, side effects of meds and base it on what would need in ideal world on your worse day

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I get dla for type 1 brittle asthma. It just annoys me that you say all the help you need but once you get the money that it. If you need the care you have to go else where or set up the care yourself. And emc I see you are a social worker and you helped people I am now questioning why mine refused? I am dreading when it goes to PIP. I struggle daily to survive and they are going to. Change systems and cuts are really hitting. I found dla really hard to get but once I had a medical I got it. Request a medical is my advice.

Hope that msg makes some sense .

Plumie

P.s think you must be a fantastic social worker emc wish you could be mine!