Hi Everybody, I just wanted to share my good news with you all, I got my decision from the DLA today and I'm delighted to tell you all that

[dovetail]

I have been awarded the middle rate for care & the higher rate for mobility. I can't tell you how much this is going to change my life for the better! Thanks for all the support you all give on this site, I read many of the posts & I have had many questions answered!

I'm sending you all love & many gentle (((hugs))) xxx

[babebatista]

Hi Dovetail,

What marvellous, marvellous news!!! I myself had good news this weekend about DLA and understand completely when you say how much it will change your life. Really great to hear good news.

Love and hugs to you also xx

[Hidden]

So glad for you

VG x

[shazzap12]

Hi Dovetail,

Well done, and congratulations on your excellent news.

Do you mind if I ask if you have any other illnesses other than just Fibro?

[dovetail]

Hi babebatista & Very-Grumpy,

Thanks so much for your replies, I woke up this morning with my usual pain but with a lighter heart & without the awful feeling of dread I've been carrying around for months! Knowing I can now pay my bills without having to juggle my money, is the best feeling in the world! All winter (& most of spring!!) I've had to cope with the bitter cold because I was so scared about heating bills & I've only been eating one meal a day for I don't know how long. This will change my life so much & my husband's life also, as he is my full-time carer. I am so grateful to have been awarded this money & I hope all of you who are awaiting a decision get awarded this too, I know the waiting is so hard to bear but it's worth wading through all the red-tape for the final outcome.

Have a restful Sunday, much love & gentle (((hugs)))

Tracey xxx

[jillylin]

Good news. Well done for you

Hugs

Jillyxx

[kiwibutterfly]

that's brilliant. New to this site. Can you tell me where to look for more info. I didn't know there were two rates and am yet to have assessment. Extremely worried as it's making me worse! Thanks x

[dovetail]

Hi Jilly

Thanks so much for your good wishes, it does mean a lot to me.

Love & hugs,

Tracey xxx

[dovetail]

Hi kiwi butterfly,

I got a lot of information online, plus a lot of info from this site, you can ask one of the volunteers on here to send you some info, which comes via your email and I have to say, there are some lovely people on here who have far more experience than me! I'm so sorry that you are so worried & I do understand, having gone through several months of extreme stress, which, of course, made me a lot worse! I wish I could help you more but I've not had an assessment, so I can't offer you reassurance for that, but when I started getting ESA I went to a face-to-face assessment with ATOS, which went really well for me, though I know other people on here have had very different outcomes than mine.

I got my letter from the DLA yesterday & they said they had made their decision based on the information I sent them, the extra information I supplied them with, what I'd written on my ESA form & the report my GP sent to them. There are three different rates: lower, middle & higher rate. I got the higher rate for mobility because I have real problems walking, I use a stick all the time & sometimes I have to use a wheelchair especially for longer journeys. I have got the middle rate for the care component as my needs vary during the night. Having the middle rate for care allows my husband to apply for carer's allowance because he is there for me 24 hrs a day. If I'd have got the lower rate for care, he wouldn't be able to apply for carer's allowance. I do hope this helps you in some way, I can empathise with you completely about your situation but what I will say is this: don't give up ( it's a long process) & don't forget that you are entitled to this benefit! It is well worth the wait!

Keep your chin up & try very hard not to let fear, stress, confusion, fatigue etc to overcome you. Sending love and gentle hugs, I hope things work out for you.

Tracey xxx