Should I Apply For DLA

[Milliecat30]

hi everyone I'm new to this site today and I hope this post is ok.

I am wondering if I should apply for DLA.

I was diagnosed with Fibro 4 years ago by a consultant rheumatologist and with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea about 18 months ago. I have all the usual symptoms of fibro; severe muscle pain, sleep problems, chronic exhaustion, severe Irritable Bowel syndrome etc. I was also diagnosed with stable angina last year after thinking I had suffered a heart attack and in April I suffered a minor stroke which has left a slight but marked weakness in my right side. I'm just out hospital after being admitted with pneumonia and have to go back as an OP to have a lung function test as consultant believes I have COPD but I'm not sure what severity that is. I am always very breathless and will contract nasty chest infections when I get a cold.

I also have a history of depressive illness and currently grieving the death of my mother who passed away in January.

At the moment I am on ESA support element which I have been told takes me to September 2017.

I'm thinking perhaps I should apply for DLA but I have heard so many nightmare stories I am in 2 minds. I feel like I would deserve at least the mobility element and perhaps low rate care element but would appreciate any feedback anyone could give me

[Sorebones]

Firstly hello. Welcome to the forum. Those that have the know how will post links to websites that will be of use to you. They are very good at that. I think they are a great bunch of people who are from all walks of life and have various medical problems, most of us with multiple medical issues.

Only you can decide if you should apply for PIP as it is at the current time. Personally I think that they hope that with all the scare stories, and hassle involved in applying for help of this kind, it will put people off and save them money. For that reason alone I would encourage you to apply if you think you fall within the parameters 🐸

[Milliecat30 in reply to Sorebones]

I'm in Northern Ireland Sorebones so we are still DLA. PIP hasn't reached here yet.

I have contacted the DLA offices and have a form being sent.

It just makes me mad as I know someone who gets top rate both care and mobility and he only has diabetes and is able to get around with no issues. And I know others who are genuinely ill and need them help and they get refused. I just want to be able to afford to pay for the help I could do with as £100 a week doesn't go very far when you have to pay electric and oil and phone bills, not even mentioning diet

Thanks for heads up about people posting here. I will keep an eye out for them. Hope you are well today xx

[mattoid-mags in reply to Milliecat30]

Hi Millie I'm from NI and I get DLA (not high rate) for fibro, depression, anxiety and arthritis. I just feel I need to say to you that some people may be offended by your reference to diabetes, as diabetes effects everyone differently and can be life threatening. You might want to change your wording on this? I'm sure you don't mean to offend anyone- just think before you write. I hope I haven't offended you by pointing this out. Where your own health is concerned, I'd say you should most definitely be entitled to DLA. Good luck 😀

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there Millie

With all the health issues you have I would definitely apply for DLA.

My biggest piece of advice to you would be to get someone to help you to fill in the form. I don't know what is available in Northern Ireland so can't help you with that but try to find a charity who will help you fill in the form properly and accompany you for an assessment. The DWP require these forms to be filled in in a certain manner, of which the general public are not aware of.

Google an Advocate for DLA and see what you come up with.

I hope some of this helps. It was taking a very long time for these forms to be processed, but I think that the DWP have caught up a bit and it's not taking quite so long now.

I know some members of the forum live in Ireland so hopefully they will see your post and be able to be of more help than I've been.

Definitely apply. You deserve some help.

Good luck

Lu xx

[milo4]

After reading your post I to think you should definitely apply.and I think the advice sorebones and bluemermaid1 have given is good advice.

Hope you get it sorted, keep on they do want us to give in.

Trace xxx

[Sniffer8]

Hi Milliecat

You've had some good replies so far and no doubt will get more - great people here. I would just add (though I'm not in receipt of DLA but like you get Support ESA) that whilst of course you have a number of serious health issues, it's more about how they impact upon your daily life. So that is key, diagnoses don't of themselves necessarily evidence the difficulties that you encounter. And of course ALWAYS think about your worst days when submitting evidence.

[Milliecat30]

Thank you all for your kind replies.

Of course I didn't mean to undermine those with diabetes and I didn't articulate myself correctly. The person I was referring to is a sponger and has no other side effects. He just magnifies his condition in order to get the benefit. I certainly didn't intend to group all diabetics in this. If I offended anyone by what I had written please accept my sincere apologies.

I have requested the forms from DLA and await their arrival. I do have issues with mobility and care as a result of my multiple conditions so I'm going to give it a go. I suppose they can only say yes or no. I will have a look to see if I can find an advocate to assist me.

Thank you all again for your responses

[mattoid-mags in reply to Milliecat30]

I know you weren't trying to undermine the diabetes condition. And yes you are wise to consult with an advisor to help with your DLA claim form. The website Benefits & Work is a great site for learning advice on claiming benefits- well worth a visit. If there is anything I can help you with, any questions, I'd be more than happy to help. Take care, Mags 😀

[rosewine]

Welcome to the forum. I really think you should give it a go as you have multiple health issues that must severely impact on your life. As others have said the form s are quite complex so if you can get someone from the CAB or similar to fill it in it would be good. If not there are various websites like turn2us and the one I used for ESA which was Benefit and Works some of theirs you can freely access other bits you have to pay a subscription for but it is well worth the money. I know the ESA guide went through every bit of the form explaining enact what the questions meant and how best tonfill the form in.

If you get stuck e mail th Fibromyalgia site and I am sure there Are things they can send you to help. Unfortunately it is no a form I am familiar with as I am still on Dla but am sure we could help out on specific questions. If you can get letters from specialists or doctors to add to the form showing how your various illnesses impact on your life that would be a great help. Good luck let us know what you decide and how you get on.x

[TheAuthor]

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcoem to the forum and I genuinely hope that you find it useful, informative and loads of fun! I have pasted you a link below to our parent site, Fibromyalgia Action UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information:

Fibromyalgia Action UK:

fmauk.org/

I would definitely apply for DLA as it is always worth a try as you have nothing to lose. I want to gneuineyl and sincerely wish you all the best of luck with your application.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Milliecat30]

Thanks again for all the advice. I will keep you informed of my progress

[Hidden]

Yes I would apply for it hunni if I were you xx

[Hidden]

Sorry if I didn't welcome you...I'm pretty much a newbie myself so don't know many of the other members xx

[Milliecat30]

Thank you lins2000