claiming dla: well ive given in and... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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claiming dla

angied profile image
10 Replies

well ive given in and asked for a claim form from the dla after yesterdays episode at work just to see what my options are. i cant stand getting cold or having the hassle i had last winter made me really ill.

not sure if ill get it but with the sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea i may get low rate would like to carry on working as well but will have to see. so may be on here asking for help filing out the form.

ive filled it out before but that was for my son

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angied profile image
angied
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10 Replies
Devonlady profile image
Devonlady

Good luck to you, hope you get it. I filled my own form out last time and thought I had done pretty well. I read it through to make sure then got my daughter (carer) to check it. After laughing she said well if they can't tell you struggle and have brain fog then they are as daft as you are Mum. She went through the form adding her comments and explaining what I had meant. The department called me and asked me some questions and then spoke to my daughter who gave them what I thought were the same answers that I had given but it seems not. Guess it proved the point then that I have trouble with communications at times. Oh and in case your wondering, this is a good day so should make sense. x

gloglo profile image
gloglo

let us know if you get it angied, i was thinking of applying because i know what you mean about the cold.

SootyB profile image
SootyB

I don't know what to do, really. I know I don't qualify for benefits - I may struggle, but I do manage, and benefits are for people who have worse problems than I do - but I want to somehow 'register' that I have this condition, and what it does to me, so that I can gain whatever protection this affords me at work. I'm not sure if I have to do anything, or if this protection is automatically in force now that I have an official diagnosis. Any ideas?

Good luck, Angied; hope your application is successful.

Sara xx

Lima6MCT profile image
Lima6MCT in reply to SootyB

The definition of ‘disability’ under the Equality Act 2010

In the Act, a person has a disability if:

* they have a physical or mental impairment

* the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities

For the purposes of the Act, these words have the following meanings:

* 'substantial' means more than minor or trivial

* 'long-term' means that the effect of the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least twelve months (there are special rules covering recurring or fluctuating conditions)

* 'normal day-to-day activities' include everyday things like eating, washing, walking and going shopping

People who have had a disability in the past that meets this definition are also protected by the Act.

Progressive conditions considered to be a disability

There are additional provisions relating to people with progressive conditions. People with HIV, cancer or multiple sclerosis are protected by the Act from the point of diagnosis. People with some visual impairments are automatically deemed to be disabled.

Conditions that are specifically excluded

Some conditions are specifically excluded from being covered by the disability definition, such as a tendency to set fires or addictions to non–prescribed substances.

If you have a diagnosis that comes under the DDA you should inform your employers. You'll find out about your rights in the workplace here:

direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPe...

Hope that helps.

SootyB profile image
SootyB in reply to Lima6MCT

Thanks! :) xx

Lima6MCT profile image
Lima6MCT

Make an appointment with a CAB adviser as soon as possible to get help with forms - even before you receive it as you have a limited amount of time to get it back to DWP. Think of it as walking through a minefield and you need as much help as you can to get you through it safely. The CAB should know the proper way to word your answers to get the information you need to give over as simply as possible.

You should also speak with your GP about applying for DLA, it helps if you have them on your side. You will be asked on the form for the date you last saw your GP and it allows you to prepare them for a letter/form that the DWP may send asking them for a report about you.

angied profile image
angied

ive just read the forms on line! i can shower myself (try and dry myself but usually drip dry lol) if i need a bath i have to wait til hubby ho,me to help me in and out. i have to eat frozen food as hands dont work to peel potatoes (thank god for iceland!!) ths kids do the housework for me (good job im not houseproud!!)

i do walk my dogs usually in the forest cos they can run around and i dont have to walk far as they always come back to me and take my crutches as well.

my hubby has to take me to hospital appointments as hospital is too far away for me to drive (cos of fibro but mainly the sleep apnea!)

im not on any meds except the anti depressants and melatonin sometimes at night if i havent slept for a while and my mask leaks!

at work i can sit or stand and even walk about if i get too stiff its just the doors that open and close for in and out (bloody customers lol) in the winter cold and wind go right thru me and end up with the days i dont work perm in bed

good luck and hope you get somewhere.x

hamble99b profile image
hamble99b

email info@fibroaction.org and ask them to send you the benefit and works info. there is a section in the back that you can fill in and give to your gp. the gp can use this to help him fill in the info the dla ask for. the booklt takes you thru the questions.

good luck, sandra.

Tibby3a profile image
Tibby3a

Hi Angied

I applied in 2010, I was turned down, I appealed. I then waited till 2012 for the tribunal, I lost. I then put in a change of circumstances (rocommended by the tribunal person), I was turned down, I havae just put in a reconsideration and have been waiting since July.

I have Fibromyalgia, Polymyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Edometeriosis.

But hey good luck x.

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