DLA help !!!!!

[larissa]

OK here goes, i am filling in the dreaded booklet and i've got to the bit that i need to describe my illnesses I have gone totally blank about how to describe in the best way !!?? Ihave UCTD Fibro and Sjogrens . My question is , how would you describe your fluctuating ,weird symptom, never the same ..... sort of disease ? help !!

[charm81]

Hi Larissa,

If wish, you could provide an email address and I could forward a sample of what I put about my illness on my ESA limited capability to work form. I know its not the same form but it will at least provide you a guide. I also wrote similar for my dla claim too. I don't have your conditions but as I say its just to guide you.

[behappy1 in reply to charm81]

Hi Charm81, I hope you don't mind me asking, but could you email me a copy of your forms, please. I've had my Dla forms 10 weeks but can't face it. It would help push me in the right direction. My email is [e-mail]

Thanks so much xx

[Tinacourtyard]

MY best advice, is always let your CItizen advice person complete the form, as the majority of people been refused are those that fill in the form themselves, having said this depends how good your citizen advice is, but ours was spot on.

[Nightjar]

If you write 'fluctuating' or 'coming and going' etc symptoms you will fail. You must describe your condition as symptoms are on a bad day (..us 'sickening' folks NEVER have normal days - normality is for healthy people!!). No matter how many times they ask (on the form or at an appeal hearing), many questions are repeated throughout - and you need to answer them all with how things are on a bad day. My advice is not to try and fill it in on your own - let CAB help. Also, have a look at all the other posts on here (see top of page) about DLA - lots of good advice. Good luck! xxx

[Herb]

Yes, if we did not have the very bad days we would not need help. But it is not really relevant what other people need help with, it is what you yourself need help with. For DLA you need to focus on what you can't do, not what you can do. What you can't do without help is more relevant than what conditions you have.

Think about how you could do the tasks if you were away from home without support. For example I do manage a lot in my own kitchen as I have a helper and all my ergonomic devices, but if I am away from them I cannot manage hardly anything in the kitchen. Use phrases like "I need support with..."

I recommend completing the form using sticky notes, stick the notes on to the relevant page rather than writing on the page,, then take them to CAB or skilled advisor to help you with the phrasing.

[larissa]

thanks for all replies ! Idid it ,well a fewmore questions . Once i started writing i wrote quite a bit x

[tracyxx in reply to larissa]

hi can you let me know how you get on please . Wouldn't now where to start have discoid at the minute hearing loss. might have fibro.

[larissa]

Will do ! I've actually finished ! apart from adding some additional info and ofcourse photocopying absolutely everything ! its taken bloody hours and hours . I'll be glad to see the back of it . I will post how i get on , fingers crossed eh x