Have you ever claimed Disability Livi... - Lung Conditions C...
Have you ever claimed Disability Living Allowance (DLA) ?
263 VotersPlease select one:
I don't think that my breathing problems are severe enough to claim DLA particularly as with the very onerous regime I am on my lung capacity has improved. The underlying condition hasn't improved.
I felt relatively ok when I completed the application, and answered honestly, ie sometimes, occasionally etc. If/when I apply again I think I'll do it during an exacerbation!
Al though I voted my vote does not appear to register. I got DLA on my first attempt. I applied on the advice of my respiratory nurse who also advised me how to fill in the form my claim was backed by my consultant & GP.
Age Concern helped me to fill in the forms and send them in . When I was refused and appealed I filled the forms in again by myself as if I was having a really bad day . This time I was successful and now receive the higher rate mobility componant I didn't have to go to any panels . This was eight years ago.
I filled in the online form and got the DLA first attempt. I had been told it was difficult to get and would probably be refused at least on my first application. I answered all questions truthfully but what I did find was that a lot of the questions had been duplicated by simply rephrasing them which made me wonder if the department were deliberately trying to catch us out with our answers. Obviously my forms were backed up by my consultant and GP and the allowance was backdated from the date I applied for it. It took about 2 months from filling in the form to receiving my first payment.
i was turned down last year after waiting a year to go to appeal i too was told to fit for DLA as i worked to the panel hearing a walk of about 120mts which took me a while to do !! i also have angina and one of the panelists who was a doctor actually did not believe i had it even though i had my spray with me with my name on the bottle and a prescription with it on, the doctor who filled in my form from my surgery was a doctor i had not seen in 5 years so how did he know how i was?? i was really made to feel like a scrounger, i don't know if its worth re-applying but my breathing has got worse since the appeal, but i think i will get some one to help me with the forms maybe my nurse and my own doctor who know's my condition
I know what you mean about feeling like a scrounger. I felt like this after I was refused DLA. I went to Age Concern 18 months later and they helped me fill in the forms so that I could apply again. Two months later I got it. Please don't give up. Try to get a nurse to help you fill in the forms.I think that anyone with COPD deserves to get DLA but they make the forms so difficult that you have to wonder if they are trying to put people off of claiming. Good luck.
They probably are trying to intimidate people with the form and content of the forms. Plus keep themselves in a job in the process. I hate dealing with government departments of any hue.
Hi Neil, go to your local citizens advice bureau and ask for help with your appeal. They told my husband and I that because he worked part-time they could not help, however, they did refer me to the local Welfare office above the One stop shop. They were wonderful. The advice was excellent and I not only got my blue badge but I also got the DLA. Also, ask your GP for his support. A letter from him can help tremendously, he will also get copies of letters from any other relevant specialist you have seen in past year. Hope this helps Maximonkey
I was told that their decision had been made without actually seeing my consultant report, who apparently was late in providing. I got terribly upset on the phone and they said that they would look at their decision again if the consultant would fax it. My partner sorted it all as I was just too distressed to cope. I eventually received DLA and got it back dated.
I have tried to get help with D.L.A. three times over the last eight years..I had help from the C.A.B. and recently had support from my GP but was still refused...the 'decision maker' said as I could walk slowly I was not entitled to any help.I felt this person who could only sign their name with a straight line as a signature put a line under me and wrote me off as a scrounger.I was looking for help because in the last year I've lost a further 7% lung capacity,I'm down to 37% fev1, and trying to keep me 'looked after' is putting tremendous pressure on my partner.I feel bad that he's having to finance driving lessons for me on top of everything else.We live far from any towns and he works away and I can no longer walk miles to catch a bus...
You are not scrouging, you have paid taxes and NHI payments for this time of need. I too felt almost ashamed to be asking for help but as I met helpful people in Wirral Welfare and my GP supported me I began to see it would be very unfair to my husband if I did not do my utmost to get DLA. I spent many hours getting the forms right and asking for letters of support from my GP and Consultants. At first I thought I had wasted my time but during a conversation with a case worker from the DLA I became aware that some of my letters had not been received so I faxed them to her straight away. 24 hours later she phoned me to tell me I had been awarded 24 months DLA, this was because I was due to have an operation on my foot (the main reason for my walking problems) they assumed that I would be fine in 24 months. Here I am 18 months later still unable to walk because my foot is still giving me problems and I have now been diagnosed with Bronchiectasis. I spoke to the DLA office today and they are sending me more forms to fill out. The woman I spoke to said I may need more help as I am ill constantly. I hope so. Maximonkey
I didn't know I could receive DLA until my respiratory nurse told me about it. Still I didn't believe I would get it. I filled the form out myself but gave my nurse, GP and consultant's contact details. I had to wait about twelve weeks, but they called to assure me that it would be dealt with as soon as my medical details were confirmed by one of my referees. I receive just over £400 every four weeks. I use it mostly for taxis and equipment such as my adjustable bed, shower chair and so on. I am most grateful for it. If they take it from me when all the new benefit rules and reviews start, I will be virtually house bound. I lay awake at night and worry about it sometimes.
i am the same i worry about it all the time i live on my own .
I was turned down this week for DLA. They stated in the refusal letter that because I do not need a carer I am not entitled to this benefit. I am currently working full time and I am really finding it a struggle now and would dearly love to start working part time but I can not afford to do this. Can anybody advise me if there is any benefit that I can claim which will enable me to cut my working hours down.
I did try to get DLA 2010 and was turned down. I went on to appeal 2011.. My tribunal ended up in 2 parts.. First part went very well to the point I felt \I was winning my case but they adjourned it for more evidence.. I had just won my ESA medical and they wanted to look at the report and confirm carpool tunnel in my left arm.. I went back to the second part of my appeal 2 months later.. They treated the appeal as if I did not have the first part, they did not look at my ESA report that they wanted to look at, they did confirm carpool tunnel though by my doctors report. The treated me as if I was just there trying to pull at fast one and as a whole new case by asking all the same questions in my first part even though that was not what I was there for.. I even was put infront of 3 different people from the first part, so all in all 6 people dealt with my appeal and the second 3 didn't take into consideration of the first 3 peoples results..
I suffer daily but am to scared to even try again.. Its to hard, the anxiety and depression it put me through is not worth that payment..
Didnt qualify for DLA even though have Heart and Lung problems, even have trouble getting ESA as IT is all geared up for Mental health issues and not health????
I was turned down 3 times, Yes mainly because my GP had wrongly diagnosed me saying I only had Asthma and he should imagine that i could walk 100 yards, Even my consultant contacted the DLA saying they were claiming him to be lying, Nope still no good I went to my appeal I was only in there minutes when the medical representative asked to see my medication. He said that he had seen enough. The lady from Mobility asked a few questions when I was asked to step outside, I was called back in to find that my appeal had gone in my favour, We tend to make two mistakes when filling our forms in. One we talk about ourselves what our life is like on a good day. Also we fill it in without professional help. I recommend everyone contact the BLF Help line before filling theirs in. Also I read a comment say they were truthful and got their DLA the first time yes I can honestly say that I was completely truthful. However my GP who had wrongly diagnosed me took a guess and yes I was turned down the three times, So much so one of the DLA own staff contacted me saying how she disagreed with the decision however she was unable to help except it was through this lady pushing me why I went to appeal after I was just going to forget it. Another arguement about being Honest, I wonder how honest the lady who was caught on the Big rides. The two chaps who was found out when they were both seen running in a Marathon and the chap in the Rugby scrum. Yes they was accepted at some time. I now believe perhaps they go on numbers and when so many people are accepted the do so many failures no matter what our condition. Probably that need sorting out then more people that merit DLA will receive it. I know one thing to finish with. If some miracle would take away my lung diseases I would gladly give my DLA back and yes go back to work. Bless
I had to appeal to get DLA, and had help with the form. The problem was certain aspects that did relate to me were under headings that didn't. The adviser completed the form to include these 'grey' areas, as such I was awarded DLA.
Had mine turned down this week, phoned them and asked them if they had the corre t form as wildly differing answers, I said I could walk 30 m and they said 100. I said I needed help showering and getting dressed and they said I didn't . The lady said I could carry out a phone appeal and asked what other areas I considered they where wrong which was all of them so I went through the whole form correcting them.
She said I would hear back in upto 11 weeks time if I have been successful , and if not I will appeal again, I think they try it on so let's see what happens next.
I work part-time and I was accepted for the low rate of DLA after a stroke left me partially sighted 14yrs ago. I have since had a lobectomy after having LC but reluctant to have my case re-assessed due to the application process.
I didn't click any of the obove in the poll as I didn't think any of them applied in my case. I have had bronchiectasis for 64 years and some time ago I applied for DLA and was turned down. I didn't appeal (big mistake).
However I reapplied when along with bronch I also have inflammatory arthritis and oesteoporosis and was successful with indefinite status, although with DLA changing to PIP who knows what will happen - very sacary ....
well, just got the reject letter - what scared me was apparently the letter from my doctor seems to suggest i can do things i have been unable to do for over 18 months - so am i receiving the right treatment?
the ironic thing was when i rang DLA to ask why i was rejected the woman asked me to put someone else on the phone as my lack of breathe meant she could not understand what i was saying !!!!!!!
i just spoke to my doctor and he said he cant remember signing a letter for me ........ said he would never say i could walk 100mtrs xxx hes not happy xx
and appealed straight away xxx
I only have athsma so my guess is that I am not legible...
Tried twice and was turned down both times .
First time did it online, 2nd time got help from a professional, didn't help as the UK Govt is cutting back on ALL benefits its only for you if you have a DRUG problem or your Mentally instable
I have just put another DLA form in filled it in myself but also put specialist report from the hostpital do you think this will help Thanks xx
My first claim was turned down. I appealed and was seen by a different doctor who more or less told me he was going to back my claim. I was granted DLA. If you are assessed by a single doctor, I think it very much depends on who is doing the assessment. My advice would be to appeal and appeal again and get as many people on-side and as much documentation as you can raise. Time is running out for new claims.
Hi, im new to this sight. I was also turned down on my claim for DLA, but a DWP employee told me that first claims are often refused.usually because not enough explanation is given about the condition. You have to ask for a reconsideration of your claim. I also asked for a copy of the letter that my consultant sent to them (from my consultant) so i could check what he had told them.it is also worth reading the Decision makers guide on DLA.this can be found at DWP.gov.uk. They agreed my claim and backdated it.(eventually)
I applied and got DLA 4 years ago on the 1st attempt. I agree that you have to put down the worst day but unfortunately because of pride many people dont. Although I only got the lower rate care only it is a real help. There is a question on the form - can you plan a shop for cooking ingredients and arrange and cook a meal on an oven? If they accept you cant then that is automatically DLA. I applied for depression but i cant see why it wouldnt apply equally well to lung problems. Also I got a bus pass. If you have supportive dr. it might be possible to get one of these too. x
I applied and got DLA when I was first diagnosed with emphysema,Fortunately my wife was very knowledgable about the application as it's part of her job.
What may be of interest was that I was contacted by the DWP and was interviewed under caution,after someone informed them that I was falsely making this claim.
The interview was quite scary,and it took months to get an outcome
(although my DLA was not stopped)it took an intervention by my MP to find out what decision they had made.
I am 63 now and live in fear of being medically assessed ,and found fit for work,and benefits being reduced and losing my DLA.
Sorry I should have made it clear they found in my favour.
I lacked the mental strength to get to grips with the benefits system having worked for 30 years without need of benefits. The system seemed to me to be designed to frustrate and discourage you at every step, and I just didn't feel mentally or physically tough enough to challenge the negative responses I met with. I would have welcomed a physical examination as I knew my condition was genuinely debilitating but never got that far. The irony is I know a few recipients of DLA who are far more able than me.
it took me about eighteen months to get my existing DLA reviewed and updated after my COPD diagnosis. Perseverance is the watch word in these cases and seek help from disability help groups. Even my local law society said I wasn't entitled to an increase but I did get one.
We went to Citizens Advise service to get help filling it in.
We had been putting off doing anything about it. Until hubby was 60 we had to watch every penny we spent as I work part time. Two years ago Bernie was very ill and in hospital. He needed more help and I had to cut down on my part-time work even more to look after him.He hates filling in forms. I do it . Now we have some money to help with house repairs, which he used to be able to do before he was ill in 2000. I shall be in a muddle if they change things again! At least i Know where to go now.
Reading the above comments, we can also identify with the problems people have posted here. Don't give up on the claims.
The worst thing for us was, how it made us feel, the strain is enough to make anyone normal ill-- never mind C.O.P.D.
I am really annoyed about the restrictions put on the Disability Living Allowance. Just because my husband is 66 years of age, one year too old to receive DLA we cannot get the benefits it includes in this benefit, i.e. free road tax etc. My husband gets the higher rate of Attendance Allowance because he needs help 24/7.
Why have they put an age difference on the DLA in order to qualify for these benefits, why can't everyone get free road tax if they qualify for DLA or AA, age should not come into it. Someone we know is 63 years of age, he has COPD but is not as bad as my husband, he can walk everywhere without oxygen., he gets free road tax, mobility allowance etc. My husband can only walk with an oxygen mask on so relies on his car to get around but he cannot claim for free road tax etc. because he is too old i.e. over 65 years.
Are the saying that if you are 65 and under you deserve DLA but if you are older than 65 you don't.
Really annoyed.
They don't just pick on the older COPDs. I was in my 40s when I applied and was turned down.
What I am trying to say is that it is not even available to the over 65's, we cannot even apply for it as we are considered over the age limit. So I wanted to know why this is as people with COPD or are disabled cannot ever get DLA because they are too old, so therefore are losing out on benefits that are available for the 65 years and younger applicants to claim for.. My husband gets the higher rate off Attendance Allowance due to him needing 24 hour care but he is not allowed to claim for mobility needs etc. due to him being over the 65 year old age limit. Why.
I think you need to talk to Citizens Advice or something. I am sure that you don't get less for being over 65. There must be something else that replaces the allowance when you reach that age. Good Luck.
There is, it is called Attendance allowance, but it does not cover mobility allowance and free road tax, that is why I think it is unfair for the over 65's not to be able to claim for these.
I was in touch with the Disability Motoring Organisation this morning about this and they also say it is unfair and they have been trying to get the law changed, but the government won't budge. They say if they give the over 65's the same chance to claim Mobility and free road tax as the under 65's it would cost too much money. The DMO have asked me to right to my MP and see if we can get the law changed, as the over 65's are being discriminated against and not given the chance to try and claim the same benefits as the under 65's.
I feel it is very hard to get DLA is you have a condition that they cant see, i have several and they are very up and down. one meaning sometimes i cant do things and would not be able to secure a job. I got turned down 2 times, and also got turned down for ESA But my partner got it for his depression, it is just wierd
I was told I was entitled to claim DLA. I am severe COPD and can only walk very short distances. However, I do still work (online from home). My claim was turned down out of hand and without reason. I didn't bother to appeal, but as it isn't a means tested allowance, I don't understand how ill you have to get before you can claim.
I am with my husband 24/7, he is on oxygen and a nebuliser, he cannot do anything for himself, and I was turned down a few times but I appealed time and time again. I even wrote this on my appeals :- 'I will never, ever give up appealing and I will keep returning the appeals until the day I die'
In frustration I wrote to our local MP who looked into it, the AA rang me and asked me some questions, I gave them the exact same answers I had written on my appeals. The day after I received a letter stating we were being awarded the higher rate of AA.
It does pay to persevere.
I have been told by CAB that I am not entitled to DLA as my consultants reports says COPD/Asthma and they wont accept anything saying Asthma. Its winter, its cold, I feel lousy and struggle to reach the car never mind the end of the street.
I got it on my second claim 2 years after the first. The first time I was not as clear on my application form about how bad a bad day is. The second time I found more info online about just how to fill the forms in and explain how my asthma limits what I can do and made a better job of filling in the form. Even then it was refused, but when I read the letter, the grounds for refusal were taken from what I had put on my first application 2 years previously. I wrote to them and asked them to look again at what I had put on my form and explain their decision. I was totally shocked then when they wrote back and awarded it to me - albeit only for a year in the first instance.
It's my husband that has COPD which was diagnosed in 1999, this has got progressively worse over time, he now cannot work, as he has depression and anxiety as well as Sleep Apnea,awarded low rate care for depression, anxiety nothing for mobility we have appealed,
ive just recently been diagnosed with COPD,I work part-time and I walk to work (about 20mins), but i do get puffed, i can't afford to get my car fixed so have to walk, the early bus is always full and i have to stand. how ill do i need to be to get help with mobility? even if its just enough to help me keep my old car going. I've noticed the cold air recently makes breathing more difficult too.
I get dla but i dont just have copd i have 3 long term medical conditions and associated problems. Have to take three lots of medication for three different problems plus depression lifes a bore and depressing all these pills.
I was told I had copd Feb 2012, I was told that my level is only slightly mild so I beleive that is not enough for me to apply for DLA, oh I have diabetes 2 as well, so would anybody with these two complaints have a case?
Thanks for the replies
redmod.
I do get DLA but I did not apply because of my lung condition it was because I have other severe mobility problems. I did have to go before a doctor of the DHSS's choosing to be assessed at the time. You can't get DLA over 65 if you have not applied before you were 65. You can get Attendance allowance over 65 but that does not have a mobility component. DLA has both the mobility component and the care component at variable rates. Now that PIP is coming into force if you are over 65 from April 2013 you can still keep your DLA or if you have been awarded DLA before you are 16 you can keep that until you are 16 when you are likely to have to apply for PIP. Between 16 to 65 you will over the next few years have to apply for PIP no matter what you have had before. That's as I understand it. It is so complicated is there any wonder that people do not bother and just when you think you have struggled to get the award they then worry you to death
wondering if you might say the wrong thing the next time around. DLA was really about what you can't do rather than your specific condition. I understand that PIP is going to be more about what you can do within your condition. Complicated or what! Just when you struggle to get through a day you have to worry about what else can be taken away from you. I know there are some people who seem to have got it unfairly but for heavens sake what about those people who need it and still can't get it. I can't see the PIP being any fairer despite what they say it's just another way to cut the benefits. What happened to caring for the less able? If someone could wave a magic wand so I could walk, breath better, live the life I once used to or the life of an average person with no mobility issues then I wouldn't need DLA what a joy that would be.
It took a year to finally get the original decision overturned, due to ongoing heart problems and now diaganosed with pulamary fibroriods, I found it very difficult to walk any great distance, I tried to be honest, but I needed help from age concern, who were brilliant and could understand the forms and how to fill them out.
I get low care/mobility dla but only for anxiety/panic attacks.
I am on maximum inhaler/tablet meds for chronic asthma. Consultant wants me back on prednisilone daily. Reluctant to go back on it as I have osteoporosis because of long term use.
Got award for dla in 2007. Peak flow is about 230.
I feel asthma is not taken serious enough by DWP
I applied for DLA in 2008 on the grounds of bi-polar and mobility problems, I was turned down and went to 4, yes 4 appeals and they upheld their original decision! I was diagnosed with emphysema in 2011, by consultant at hospital, but no longer see her, I only see my GP when an infection rears its ugly head, I dont have any rescue meds at home as my GP doesnt believe in them! I also manage my bi-polar without medication, ie when I am really bad with it I go to bed and stay there for days at a time, only getting up to go the bathroom!!
Im really reluctant to try again for fear of being turned down.
Must add, my partner works 38hrs a week, we get working tax credit, but I have to pay for my prescriptions...he doesnt as he is diabetic.....but mine alone come to over £30 a month sometimes! Needless to say, I use my inhalers very sparingly and only when absolutely needed, despite lips turning blue on occasions and scaring the daylights out of other half lol
Lyn
Hi everyone, been reading these messages of dispair, like some one said they can not even see the illness, it is ignorance on their part & lack of knowledge. As the breathing tests are stiil not 50% correct never mind a 100%. The research into these tests can not proove if these test are correct or not. If you need to apply for DLA, ask a council welfare officer to complete these forms for you, they will even come to your home address. Good luck.
I have had ipf now for a year and do work full time but its getting harder and don't no how long I can go on for I filled my forms in today but don't hold out much hope of getting it. I find I hard to beleve that you can have a terminal illness be told you have between 3 to 5 yrs to live and still get no help its stressful enough without extra stress on top.This country stinks I'm 47 worked since the day I left school have never clamed a penny in benefits. And people come here from other country's and get everything provided for them. It's so wrong.
hi everyone here is my story....ive had asthma since i was very young, when i got into my teens my asthma was controlled, when i become 14/15 i rarely used my inhaler...so since ive been with my BF the last 7 years ive been going back and to, to my doctor (different doc since i was younger, different area) i was wheezing alot and couldnt sleep, told my doc and i said its probably my asthma, my GP said no its not your asthma....been to him a few times over it still he did not want to send me for tests. well anyway in feb this year i made another appointment to see my GP, but on the day of my appointment my GP wasn't in, i was seeing another gp who was covering him, he told me to make an appointment with the nurse to have respiratory tests, at this time he gave me a ventolin to use whilst i was waiting. a week after that appointment i had my tests done, and the nurse said there was something obstructing my airway...had a phone call of the docs a few days later asking me to go for a x-ray. i went the x-ray...a week after went to see the doctor for my results..he said everything was fine, i said well what is obstucting my airway he said you have asthma. he gave me a prescription for 2 inhalers and told me to make an appointment with himself or the nurse in 7-10 days to see how i was getting on.
Now i cant walk very far as i get out of breath....it feels like a balloon deflated but as soon as i have a puff on my inhaler they inflate. would i be able to get any help with this at all? thanks in advance for any advice x
