Hello I have moderate/sever copd lung... - Lung Conditions C...
Hello I have moderate/sever copd lung age 91 at 51 - do you think I would get the moblity part of DVLA? Thanks
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DLA is not paid out because you have an illness such as copd or emphysema. There are many stages of copd for instances that range for Mild to very severe. In most cases you will not get DLA unless you have reached the very severe stage. Disability Living Allowance to give it the full name is to help for mobility, and it has to be recognised that in many stages of copd although your mobility maybe impaired, you can manage to get around. How far can you walk without having to stop because of being sob, or because of severe discomfort? How long does it take to cover 100 yards? The criteria is very strict and it is not unknown even for those using oxygen to have been refused. Incredible as it may seem. I very much doubt if moderate severe will disable you enough to be able to get either part of DLA. If you do apply for it. Be prepared for being refused and having to appeal. For it to take upwards of a year to get it if successful. To obtain reports from your lung specialist, doctor, and respiratory nurse with details of all hospital admissions due to copd and a list of all medicines you take to help your copd. The days of looking at the form and ticking the right boxes have gone. You have to prove your disability.
Thank you derrylynne for spending the time to reply - Its sad to say after reading the other bloggs on this site I shockingly agree with you. You feel guilty if you apply when you are not as badly off as other people - Angry that people using okygen get refused whilst at the same time wondering should I start fighting now while I can because its unjust - or wait until my condition gets so bad I won't have the fight to?
Good answer by derrylynne
You can become mobile through DVLA if you pass your driving test tho 
Thanks Zoee - ha ha - yes noticed me mistake this morning!
Hi Blackbird. I applied for DLA after being called 'disabled' and given the DLA pack from the Job Centre, which I sent off .I was turned down for DLA this week. I went to CAB who gave me lots of advice for appealing and said I could even resubmit and gave me another pack.To be honest I don't think I'll bother. I' m not prepared to go through the lengthy ordeal of appealing and I don't consider myself to be disabled yet, even though I have the usual SOB and short walking span problem - I can still carry on (to a degree!!!) as I would have before diagnosis. ( However, as I have to cut back on my working hours the money would have been really handy). You 've nothing to lose by applying - you may even be one of the few who get through. Good luck. let us all know how you get on. Terri
Hi terri-rose thank youfor your reply- I was also applied last year for DLA as given the DLA pack from the job Centre as I was thought disabled. I was also turned down last year because " I could or could not walk 200 yards'. I now have another pack to submit and do not know what to do - like your self do not consider myself disabled even though have the usual SOB problem and from reading posts on here know there are people far worse of than myself - because I can get around and tackle most things slowly and with the aid of my old banger car. This however I find the fustrating catch 22 - as I am on job seekers allowance - I too think I can just about work part time with my car as cannot walk to shops bustop trains ect. But keeping the car on the road is becoming very difficult! Bar Humbug - need another plan maybe I'll go busking and rest between each song!
As I understand it (and I might be wrong), the new rules are about whether you can 'mobilise' for a particular distance. This does not necessarily mean walking, it might be using a wheelchair or a mobility scooter.
My COPD is moderate but I'm lucky as it doesn't stop me from working.
a usefull site which answers all your questions and more is disabilityrightsuk.org.
it also as a section on case law.
if you have been turned down for DLA your first course of action is to, ask them to look at there decision again based on," in your opinion they have not considered you needs in relation to your medical condition, at same asking for the case papers, allowing you to time to consider the evidence." this will help you decide your next step ( with me i supplied further evidence in the form of test results which proved successful) you can still choose to appeal at least you will have the same information as they have
Thank you rayfindlow - I will check this out.
I am appealing because I got turned down for dla.then I had a blood test for alpher 1.it came back positive,I am very tired and rarely leave the house plus I have tenable back ache.i do not know if this is new evidence?i have to wait ten weeks to see a consultant.
Everything changes in April 2013 onto the new PIP which will replace DLA if your case went into a tribunal then there is not much chance your case would be heard before then as they are very busy with ESA claims now. Any claim allowed now will only carry on until PIP unless you are claiming for a child (under working age) with those over retirement age unable to submit a claim for DLA as they are covered by AA (Attendance Allowance) once past working age.
Hi Thrush - Thank you for your reply and information - like yourself people have been very helpful - in helping me decide what my next course of action will be. thanks.
Thrush what is PIP and do you know how it differs from DLA please? x
I hypercat go disabilityrightsuk.org.--/ Advice--/Factsheets / factsheet no 60 PIP this will explain all about pip and includes a typical question section, interesting reading . the site is dedicated to disable rights.
Hi blackbird just a couple of points which might help. Firstly if you have an understanding doctor you might be able to get a bus pass. I do. Might be worth trying. And there is, unless they have changed it, a question on the DLA form about whether you are able to shop for ingredients to make a main meal and are able to cook this on an oven. Your copd might affect this. If they accept this it is, again unless they have changed it, a guarantee of receiving lower rate care. Not much but better than nothing. Good luck with it. xx
Hi blackbird thanx for bringing this subject up. I'm also starting to struggle with the number of hours i work (I'm getting so tired and made a massive mistake there the other day) to keep myself afloat financially so will need to drop some. When I rang th benefits help line they practically laughed me off th phone because I can walk as far as the bus stop, yet when I start on the oxygen, 15hrs a day, I wont have much time inbetween traveling to and from work on th flipping bus let alone put the hours in that I need. I'll try th Dr tho for a bus pass thanks. I am grateful to be still able to work at all but looking to the future i worry I'l lose the home I worked so hard to keep for me, my children and grandchildren
Hi Blackbird
Generally the new mobility criteria will come into effect from April 2013 as PIP takes over for new claimants.
The DWP have care and mobility considerations which you can find by clicking on the following link.
dwp.gov.uk/publications/spe...
Keeping a diary of your walking ability over a few days may help identify a pattern - if you think your COPD affects your walking and you can show you can meet the criteria eirther for the lower or higher rate then do apply - get help from a CAB/Age UK - statistically you hjave a better chance of beign awarded the benefit if you have outside agency help.
I will be presenting a webinar tomorrow night on welfare benefits and the welfare reform changes - for more information you can e mail yoour interest to:
webinars@blf.org.uk
Best Wishes
Jo
Thank you Jo for your reply - I would have been interested in the webinar - don't know what a webinar is though? but night of 13 aug taking daughter to airport as she is off to usa! is there another one? have taken onboard your recommendations as lung function 48% which if I am right is classed just about in the servere group? I will try to get help as I just can't see how to answer some of these questions with a no or yes!
Hi
In a nutshell, yes. I have 12 years on disability, basically 1 lung,after Tuberculosis,Double pneumonia, broken ribs, chronic pain, pleurisy, morphine 24/7, antidepressants x 2 . DLA, Mobility, IBenefit and mobility high rate
I have mobility car.
At least I do at the moment until PiP hits us all terribly hard and welcomes me back to the depths of depression. Car was a breath of fresh air.
I have moderate copd age 44 with lung age 74 could anyone tell me if i could get a bus pass!
When i was mild age 43 lung age 59 my gp said no!
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