How many people actually get DLA? Is it a waste of time applying?

[dekaspace]

My social worker helped me with form and I failed mine, I knew before I even applied they would as have been a victim of the crazy system for years, such as having JSA stopped as a New Deal advisor cancelled and then was on holiday but the computer showed as missing appointment and as advisor was off, not turning up for 7 days, or another time having JSA stopped Christmas Eve as they decided 5 hours part time at college a week = 30 hours studying therefore 35 hours total, or when they messed my move to new office so I had it stopped, I won initial appeal but they forgot to book me in for sign on then stopped my money saying I missed sign on(and therefore 6 weeks money)

 

There is more!, anyway I have such severe depression that I often don't leave the house for a week(a few times has been 2 weeks!) and me cooking is heating something in microwave, I sit in the same clothes for days but I failed assessment due to the fact that since I dont need help getting changed or leaving house(apart from psychologically which they dont seem to care about) therefore I dont qualify for anything!

 

I have Aspergers and have a lot of social problems and currently have someone done identity fraud on me(3rd time in 3 years, my credit is destroyed) and I have had thousands stolen but I am told I dont need help in any way!

 

Is there a point of claiming DLA unless you are so severely disabled?

[assmerger]

yes good question..I had to go through many appeals just to get ESA...basically caliming on agoraphobia and anxiety moreso than aspergers..I had no luck at all getting DLA..and now have had to reapply for my ESA as its been 1 year and its going to be rejected and i will need to go to appeal case at tribunal again..what a joke.

 

Aspergers is a nothing disorder to the benefits people...Also I can act and talk 100% normal so when they see me i look and appear a legit person it doesnt help I have all A grades for my studies. So what they see is an intelligent normal looking guy.

 

What they dont relaise is the pain, anxiety and stress in things such as being away from home for long, beign far from home, being around people and many people, being in large busy buildings etc..etc...

[Isobel]

I started looking into it, but I'm too intelligent for it, as in being able to go to work, cook my own meals and make decisions on my own with occasional help.

[Merry]

oh. that's not good news. I had 21 different jobs by the age of 20! I don't even know how i've messed up most of them! Communication misunderstandings mostly, making the wrong people very very cross with me I think. (Unintentionally obviously). I need time to heal from all the crazy changes i've had to endure in life because of how my aspergers effects me. Darn it. Being diagnosed was meant to be the small pot of gold at the end of a very dim rainbow! -a chance to have a break, after all the suffering... I can't be a job seeker right now... What job could i be capable of that i haven't already proved useless at before? Ho hum...keep smiling,

[Mannify]

From my relative's experience I would say to anyone, keep appealing. His case went to tribunal having had it all taken off him, but after tribunal he got mid rate and a lot of back pay. All is not lost if it goes to tribunal.

[Special_talent123]

I have DLA. do u have a care person that checks on mental health, do u have gp that able to write a letter saying your unable to do your daily living tasks. u could also appeal

Edited September 24, 2012 by Special_talent123

[Charlie C]

I've been receiving DLA over nine years and in that time havent had no medical for reapplying, its gone really smooth so far, but at the time I just left a special needs school placement and received input from the children with disabilities team who basically filled out the forms. I dread to think what will happen when the new benefit proposals come into forse.

[Special_talent123]

I've been receiving DLA over nine years and in that time havent had no medical for reapplying, its gone really smooth so far, but at the time I just left a special needs school placement and received input from the children with disabilities team who basically filled out the forms. I dread to think what will happen when the new benefit proposals come into forse.

 

Hi charlie, i think we will be alright when its the change over. groups about PIP are going to take place soon in other campaign work. I received DLA i believe since I was i think 12. And I havent needed a medical since. I got a social worker and Gp to fill out sections of form but now I have autistic society help me to fill out mine it will be all okay- I have the notes from the last ESA and we can refer that to the notes as well as what i saying.

[LancsLad]

I have been recieving lowest rate DLA £20.55 for a few years now in respect to my depression and not to my AS. I have in the past had to spend time in a secure mental health unit on 24hr suicide watch after repeated attempts on my own life. I would polietly suggest given the choice I would gladly give up this amount if it meant I didn't have to face some of my deepest depressive cycles.

 

To get this allowance there is of course a reasonable amount of supporting evidence in the form of psychiatric reports at a senoir consultants level, this is not the sort of thing my GP could for example support on his own.

 

I see the DLA as a payment which is more or less compensation for the time my partner has to spend helping me. At times it means taking unpaid leave from work, or taking out time in her day to telephone and check that I have got up and have been able to eat etc...

 

I suspect when it come to the next assesment I will loose this and in a way I would be happy to do so as it would be an indication that I have come a long way over the past few years.

 

I just want to make these points because there is a general view portrayed that it is easy to get these things and that everyone should be entitiled to something. The media does not help anyone in this respect, they undermine people who recieve these benefits and build up expectations and anger in those who don't. All I can say is if you feel you have a case then ask for the forms or go online and look at them. What you will not be able to do is change the nature of the questions to suit you. If there is an issue and I will support people on this one is that often getting access to your entitlement means engaging with health professionals to support your case. Often getting access to such individuals is difficult. There have been times when I have wanted nothing to do with them and this can cause problems in this respect. I have had to weigh up the pros and cons and at the end of the day I have always put my own well being before any financial considerations, sometimes it is best to accept things as they are even if there are flaws simply for peace of mind.

 

Just a few personal thoughts.

[Merry]

LancsLad I totally agree with you about the media. Its as though there's a campaign to discredit the benefits system to the tax payers and demonize anyone who claims. It is very upsetting, because there are more and more decent people who are out of work through no fault of their own and health problems are on the rise too. You end up feeling guilty and ashamed for needing help. It should not be this way.

[Special_talent123]

I just want to share something a friend of mine sent and I should be okay from what I have read:

 

I use the Benefits & Work site a lot to keep up to date with what is going on. They have posted a timetable for the introduction of PIP:-

 

PIP timetable

 

The timetable for the introduction of personal independence payment (PIP), the benefit set to replace disability living allowance (DLA) has now been set out in detail in the DWP’s Frequently Asked Questions document.

 

From April 2013 a few thousands new PIP claims will be taken from people aged 16-64 in Merseyside, North West England, Cumbria, Cheshire and North East England. All other new claimants will continue to make claims for DLA.

 

From June 2013 all new claims from people aged 16-64 will be for PIP rather than DLA. From October 2013 the DWP will begin reassessing all existing DLA claimants aged between 16-64. However, between October and December 2013 they intend to reassess just 30,000 existing DLA claimants to check that the systems work.

 

Full scale national reassessment will begin in January 2014.

 

The DWP say that all existing DLA claimants “will have been contacted about reassessment by March 2016”, suggesting that by that stage everyone will have received a letter warning them that they are to be reassessed but that not everyone will have completed the reassessment process.

 

This will give an idea of the points system as understood by Benefits & Work. The descriptors could well be changed or amended prior to or even after it has been made available to the public. Sorry for the length of the post.

 

PIP points system

 

PIP daily living component points

To get an award of the daily living component, you need to score: 8 points for the standard rate

12 points for the enhanced rate

 

For daily living, the points need to be scored from activities 1-9 below.

You can only score one set of points from each activity, if two or more apply from the same

activity only the highest will count. So, for example, if:

4 d. Needs assistance to groom. 2 points

4 g. Needs assistance to bathe. 4 points

both apply you will receive only the 4 points for the ‘Bathing and grooming’ activity. These can

then be added to points for other activities, such as 'Dressing and undressing'

 

PIP mobility component points

To get an award of the mobility component you need to score: 8 points for the standard rate

12 points for the enhanced rate

For mobility, the points need to be scored from activities 10-11 below.

As with daily living above, you only score the highest points that apply to you from each

activity, but you can add points from activities 10 and 11 together to reach your final total.

 

PIP ACTIVITIES AND POINTS

1. Preparing food and drink.

 

a. Can prepare and cook a simple meal unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2 points

 

c. Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but can do so using a microwave. 2 points

 

d. Needs prompting to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 2 points

 

e. Needs supervision to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 4 points

 

f. Needs assistance to either prepare or cook a simple meal. 4 points

 

g. Cannot prepare and cook food and drink at all. 8 points

 

2. Taking nutrition.

a. Can take nutrition unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs either –

(i) to use an aid or appliance to take nutrition; or

(ii) assistance to cut up food. 2 points

 

c. Needs a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 2 points

 

d. Needs prompting to take nutrition. 4 points

 

e. Needs assistance to manage a therapeutic source to take nutrition. 6 points

 

f. Needs another person to convey food and drink to their mouth. 10 points

 

 

3. Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition.

 

a. Either –

(i) Does not receive medication, therapy or need to monitor a health condition; or

(ii) can manage medication, therapy or monitor a health condition unaided, or with the use of

an aid or appliance. 0 points

 

b. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage medication or monitor a health

condition. 1 point

 

c. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes up to 3.5 hours a week. 2 points

 

d. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes between 3.5 and 7 hours a week. 4 points

 

e. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes between 7 and 14 hours a week. 6 points

 

f. Needs supervision, prompting or assistance to manage therapy that takes at least 14 hours a week. 8 points

 

4. Bathing and grooming.

 

a. Can bathe and groom unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to groom. 1 point

 

c. Needs prompting to groom. 1 point

 

d. Needs assistance to groom. 2 points

 

e. Needs supervision or prompting to bathe. 2 points

 

f. Needs to use an aid or appliance to bathe. 2 points

 

g. Needs assistance to bathe. 4 points

 

h. Cannot bathe and groom at all. 8 points

 

5. Managing toilet needs or incontinence.

a. Can manage toilet needs or incontinence unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to manage toilet needs or incontinence. 2 points

 

c. Needs prompting to manage toilet needs. 2 points

 

d. Needs assistance to manage toilet needs. 4 points

 

e. Needs assistance to manage incontinence of either bladder or bowel. 6 points

 

f. Needs assistance to manage incontinence of both bladder and bowel. 8 points

 

g. Cannot manage incontinence at all. 8 points

 

6. Dressing and undressing.

 

a. Can dress and undress unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance to dress or undress. 2 points

 

c. Needs either -

(i) prompting to dress, undress or determine appropriate circumstances for remaining clothed;

or

(ii) assistance or prompting to select appropriate clothing. 2 points

 

d. Needs assistance to dress or undress lower body. 3 points

 

e. Needs assistance to dress or undress upper body. 4 points

 

f. Cannot dress or undress at all. 8 points

 

7. Communicating.

 

a. Can communicate unaided and access written information unaided, or using spectacles or

contact lenses. 0 points

 

b. Needs to use an aid or appliance other than spectacles or contact lenses to access written

information. 2 points

 

c. Needs to use an aid or appliance to express or understand verbal communication. 2 points

 

d. Needs assistance to access written information. 4 points

 

e. Needs communication support to express or understand complex verbal information. 4 points

 

f. Needs communication support to express or understand basic verbal information. 8 points

 

g. Cannot communicate at all. 12 points

 

8. Engaging socially.

 

a. Can engage socially unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs prompting to engage socially. 2 points

 

c. Needs social support to engage socially. 4 points

 

d. Cannot engage socially due to such engagement causing either –

(i) overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant; or

(ii) the claimant to exhibit uncontrollable episodes of behaviour which would result in a

substantial risk of harm to the claimant or another person. 8 points

 

9. Making financial decisions

 

a. Can manage complex financial decisions unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs prompting to make complex financial decisions. 2 points

 

c. Needs prompting to make simple financial decisions. 4 points

 

d. Cannot make any financial decisions at all. 6 points

 

10. Planning and following a journey.

 

a. Can plan and follow a journey unaided. 0 points

 

b. Needs prompting for all journeys to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the

claimant. 4 points

 

c. Needs either –

(i) supervision, prompting or a support dog to follow a journey to an unfamiliar destination; or

(ii) a journey to an unfamiliar destination to have been entirely planned by another person. 8 points

 

d. Cannot follow any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to

the claimant. 10 points

 

e. Needs either –

(i) supervision, prompting or a support dog to follow a journey to a familiar destination; or

(ii) a journey to a familiar destination to have been planned entirely by another person. 15 points

 

11. Moving around.

a. Can move at least 200 metres either –

(i) unaided; or

(ii) using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or a motorised device. 0 points

 

b. Can move at least 50 metres but not more than 200 metres either –

(i) unaided; or

(ii) using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or a motorised device. 4 points

 

c. Can move up to 50 metres unaided but no further. 8 points

 

d. Cannot move up to 50 metres without using an aid or appliance, other than a wheelchair or

a motorised device. 10 points

 

e. Cannot move up to 50 metres without using a wheelchair propelled by the claimant. 12 points

 

f. Cannot move up to 50 metres without using a wheelchair propelled by another person or a

motorised device. 15 points

 

g. Cannot either –

(i) move around at all; or

(ii) transfer unaided from one seated position to another adjacent seated position.

15 points

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Variable and fluctuating conditions

Taking a view of ability over a longer period of time helps to iron out fluctuations and presents a more coherent picture of disabling effects. Therefore the descriptor choice should be based on consideration of a 12 month period.

 

Scoring descriptors will apply to individuals where their impairment(s) affects their ability tocomplete an activity on more than 50 per cent of days in the 12 month period.

 

The following rules apply:

 

If one descriptor in an activity applies on more than 50 per cent of the days in the period – i.e.the activity cannot be completed in the way described on more than 50 per cent of days – then that descriptor should be chosen.

 

If more than one descriptor in an activity applies on more than 50 per cent of the days in the period, then the descriptor chosen should be the one which applies for the greatest proportion of the time.

 

Where one single descriptor in an activity is not satisfied on more than 50 per cent of days, buta number of different descriptors in that activity together are satisfied on more than 50 per cent of days – for example, descriptor ‘B’ is satisfied on 40 per cent of days and descriptor ‘C’ on 30 per cent of days –the descriptor satisfied for the highest proportion of the time should be selected.

 

Awaiting treatment

 

If someone is awaiting treatment or further intervention it can be difficult to accurately predict its level of success or whether it will even occur. Descriptor choices should therefore be based on the likely continuing impact of the health condition or impairment as if any treatment or further intervention has not occurred.

 

Reliably, in a timely fashion, repeatedly and safely

 

An individual must be able to complete an activity descriptor reliably, in a timely fashion, repeatedly and safely; and where indicated, using aids and appliances or with support from another person (or, for activity 10, a support dog). Otherwise they should be considered unable to complete the activity described at that level.

 

Reliably means to a reasonable standard.

 

In a timely fashion means in less than twice the time it would take for an individual withoutany impairment.

 

Repeatedly means completed as often during the day as the individual activity requires. Consideration needs to be given to the cumulative effects of symptoms such as pain and fatigue – i.e. whether completing the activity adversely affects the individual’s ability to subsequently complete other activities.

 

Safely means in a fashion that is unlikely to cause harm to the individual, either directly or through vulnerability to the actions of others; or to another person.

 

Risk and Safety

 

When considering whether an activity can be undertaken safely it is important to consider the risk of a serious adverse event occurring. However, the risk that a serious adverse event may occur due to impairments is insufficient – there has to be evidence that if the activity was undertaken, the adverse event is likely to occur.

 

Aids and appliances

 

The assessment will take some account of aids and appliances which are used in everyday life. In this context:

 

Aids are devices that help a performance of a function, for example, walking sticks or spectacles.

 

Appliances are devices that provide or replace a missing function, for example artificial limbs, collecting devices (stomas) and wheelchairs.

 

The assessment will take into account aids and appliances that individuals normally use and low cost, commonly available ones which someone with their impairment might reasonably be expected to use, even if they are not normally used. Individuals who use or could reasonably be expected to use aids to carry out an activity will generally receive a higher scoring descriptor than those who can carry out the activity unaided.

 

Support dogs We recognise that guide, hearing and dual sensory dogs are not ‘aids’ but have attempted to ensure that the descriptors capture the additional barriers and costs of needing such a dog where they are required to enable individuals to follow a journey safely. Descriptors ‘C’ and ‘E’ in activity 10 therefore explicitly refer to the use of a ‘support dog’.

 

Support from other people The assessment will take into account where individuals need the support of another person or persons to carry out an activity – including where that person has to carry out the activity for them in its entirety. The criteria refer to three types of support:

 

Assistance is support that requires the presence and physical intervention of another person i.e. actually doing some or all of the task in question. This specifically excludes non-physical

intervention such as prompting or supervision which are defined below. To apply, this only needs to be required for part of the activity.

 

Prompting is support provided by reminding or encouraging an individual to undertake or complete a task but not physically helping them. To apply, this only needs to be required for part of the activity.

 

Supervision is a need for the continuous presence of another person to avoid a serious adverse event from occurring to the individual. There must be evidence that any risk would be likely to occur in the absence of such supervision. To apply, this must be required for the full duration of the activity.

 

Unaided Within the assessment criteria, the ability to perform an activity ‘unaided’ means without either the use of aids or appliances or assistance/prompting/supervision from another person.

 

Epilepsy Epilepsy is a marked example of a fluctuating condition where an individual can have no functional limitation one minute and considerable limitation the next. Assessment should be based on the impact this causes.

Key to assessing individuals with epilepsy is the consideration of risk. Within each activity, the relevant descriptor should apply to a person with epilepsy if there is evidence that a serious adverse event is likely to occur if the person carried out the activity in that descriptor. It is essential to consider the likely effects of any seizure – type and frequency of fit, associated behaviour, the post-ictal phase and whether there is likely to be sufficient warning to mitigateany risk of danger.

 

[LancsLad]

I think the reality is however that there has to be a line and as such some people will cross thresholds for entitlement and other may fall just a little bit short. I think a big problem surrounding the system is a complete lack of general understanding what the system is designed to cover and what it is not.

 

I have seen discussion on these forum pages for example as to whether memebrs see AS as a disability or not for example. In many ways these sort of debates can fuel frustration. The fact is that AS is not a disability but rather simply a condition as far as benefits are concerned. As a society we have to identify where the boundaries lie in respect to these definitions and importantly we need to communicate them for all to understand. At one point we have a condition called Asperger's which enable access to the paralympics to an individual who I understand holds regional 'able bodied' swimming records. On the other hand people are claiming it to be disability and want benefits as such. This makes no sense to me whatsoever and simply generates a lot of mixed messages.

 

There are entitilements to DLA on grounds of mental health issues. I think it is important that we keep such concepts in perspective. At one point of the scale mental health can be very disabling, lying naked locked into a room on a vinyl matress is not very enabling in my experience. At that point I was very ill with a mental condition and needed care. But I have to recognise that as I get better I will move over the threshold at a point in time and that should be welcomed. What concerns me is that many individuals have a belief that it is a good thing to move in the other direction because it offers some form of financial reward, personally I find that somewhat disturbing.

 

I believe it generates a culture of being 'needy' where individuals go around collecting badges from health professional to support their claims for needs. For example earlier this year after around 45 minutes of complete drivel a psychiatrist told me in his opinion I have OCPD. Now I have a choice do I see the meeting for what it was a bit of a joke to be honest or do I see it as something valuable. I know what I think and as such I have no intention of putting the letters OCPD on any future assesment forms for DLA. Now some might say that is being stupid, but I believe my own integrity is something which supports my self esteem on a daily basis and I am not going to hand it over based on an ill informed whim of a psychiatrist. My point is I can't have it both ways.

 

I believe we may enter a period where there will be a lot of frustration. In my opinion we have been through a phase where 'badges' have been handed out quite freely. Due to contracting of services there is going to be a very different culture in the next few years, and with it a lot of jelousy. As a result there are going to be massive discrepancies between individuals. If there is a need it is to have some clear definitions put in place and then resources need to be directed to those individuals who meet those new definitions. Without doubt this will entail withdrawing support for individuals who currently get it, to enable new more needy individuals to recive support. We can not believe there is a bottomless purse which society can dig into. Some people might see the crime being the removal of support from individuals, others might well argue that the biggest crime of all was creating a dependancy culture which was never ever sustainable in the first place.

 

If I have a real concern it is that in my lifetime I have seen real progress being made in respect to general social perceptions around areas such as disability and mental health. I am however concerned that a lot of that general goodwill will become eroded away as fighting breaks out over who is entitled to what and the media jumps onto the bandwagon.

[Isobel]

From that information above, I'll be very borderline. Like today, I was going to get my wing mirror fitted at a garage I've never been to, and I had to ask dad for support in what to ask the garage and what to say, so I could say I need some support in communication, but not a lot.

[dekaspace]

I would say my problem is a comfort zone, sometimes I could be in a random good mood and walk around town and have no problems, then be in a good mood as I left house, then next day be really really drained emotionally due to severe depression.

 

My actual doctor said she could sign me off but that would be for life and she didnt want to do that unless a last resort.

 

It is depression related but even before the depression I would struggle with anything out of my comfort zone the only difference was I enjoyed life far more and a basic thing like walking to corner shop made me happy whilst people told me they went to a music festival, I felt a little left out but found what I was doing even if it watching dvds in front of tv all weekend great.

 

So I have both depression affecting me and my aspergers as a bad mix as to make myself "better" I need to socialise more.

 

But even in jobs I am bad, I am a very hard worker if not obsessive but I struggle to get into a routine but once I do I am like a robot and will use my free time (unpaid) to do a task, it means I get praised by a boss but not much else and the next day as I broke my routine by going home I could be slow again

[Mike_GX101]

I phoned up once and the first thing they asked me was "Are you cared for" to which the answer is "No".

 

The operator became less supportive after that. So through my own experience unless you're being cared for there is little point in applying.

[LancsLad]

Excellent point Mike, without my partner to support me then there would be nothing I could put on a form for lower level DLA. As such it is not really an assesment of 'needs' but of have you got someone there to address those needs should they arrise. If you haven't tough.

 

I am not sure what the response would be if you had a friend or neighbour as opposed to a partner as in my case. In theory things should be the same but I doubt it. I can see an argument that if you have been able to just about get by on your own then you are not in need of support but is it valid? For me that is like asking the question if I lived on my own would I have commited suicide by now, if I had then they would be vindicated because there was no existing need as I would be dead.

 

If we are to have a fairer system we need to take a very hard look at what we consider to be a minimal quality of life for an individual to experience within our society. That is of course a double edged sword becasue I suspect many single parents for example out there who will be doing two or three part time jobs just to make ends meet would easily fall into categories of having significant needs, as would many other working individuals. As such the easiest option for the state is to try and keep their hands off peoples lives as much as possible and only deal with the fall out. That might result in a pretty miserable existence for many but may well be the cheapest option. I guess it is a sign of a society which is based on ecconomics and not on compassion.

[Mike_GX101]

It all comes down to what it means by "carer" and unless your neighbour/friend makes all your decisions for you and has a say over whether you're allowed to go dating or not and can pick and choose whether you're allowed a partner, they cannot be classed as a "carer".

[Special_talent123]

do u know that it is medical professionals that look after you to even get DLA

[Willow-Tree]

Sorry to hear you've had so many problems

 

I had a lot of problems actually getting diagnosed, but once I was, I filled out the form for DLA, not knowing what to expect, but I wound up with Lower Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility.

 

I'll briefly explain, but I think the system is changing soon, so not sure my advice will apply (although my step-dad said the new system will be more sympathetic of 'mental' disabilities.

 

I have never signed on at the job centre, as my partner works full time, so we had no need - but I was already receiving my DLA by the time I met him so I just continued (for some lucky reason, they have my claim down as indefinite - which happened after they messed up my application last time and cut my mobility and I had to appeal...)

 

Anyway, the main thing when filling it out is giving examples of the worst days you have, so they know how hard it can be. In terms of 'physically' being able to do something, like getting dressed - I to can get dressed by myself, but you need to say that someone has to encourage you and prompt you constantly or at regular intervals before you will do it. I'm the same with most things. I have to be prompted to eat or take a shower, otherwise I'll just sit on the couch/sleep all day - on my worst days.

 

With every question they ask, where you are able to do it, you just can't because of your depression, you need to repeat yourself by saying you need prompts. Even if there isn't anyone that prompts you, say that you would need it in order to get things done. Give examples of what would need to be in place.

 

I can't go out alone, so I need someone to take me. There isn't always someone available, so I can't do certain things, but it doesn't change the fact that I can't go out without a person. With that, what you have to make clear is that although you can walk, you can't walk outside alone without a person to keep you calm. I sensory overload when I'm out alone and so things that should be warning me of danger, like traffic noise, don't really get through to me and I become a danger to myself. Or if I have gone out alone and I panic, then I need someone to come and get me, even if it's not practical for them.

[Sa Skimrande]

I have DLA at the minimum levels it was higher but it got downgraded with the new government coming into power as to is it worth having, well on the low income that benefits is, it would be a loss and a difficulty without it. But if you are working, look at it this way, would you give up x amount of money out of what you earn for nothing, if not then that money is worth having.

 

But I live on my own, I am largely reclusive and anxious of the outside world, I won't cook dinners and my personal cleanliness has been commented on and I am normally in financial difficulty, but I have no social workers, case workers whatever, all these things I hear bandied about on these forums, so I wonder, I must be a shining example of what this is to be left so alone to just get on with it in my own way.

 

So what is it, how come others have all this external help, because it is just not evident where I am concerned and not once have I been assessed for anything whereas when I was at college I qualified for so much extra attention where in the outside world, i qualify for nothing.

[Special_talent123]

DLA should not be taken into account whilst working, because its about needing support/care by medical professionals , carers . you can still receive DLA whilst working, its ESA is different.

 

They have to see what you cannot do and what support u do need... wont do is different to cannot. you have to proof that you have difficulty in some areas.

[Sa Skimrande]

I don't understand any of it, I was just about getting to grips with the old system when it changed and now I reside in the notion that I am a fraud and must get back to work as soon as possible whether I am able or not for this country has done me, I am no longer proud to be British and if I knew in my youth what I know know I would like to think I would have got shot of these negative islands, but I know I wouldn't because of what I found later at aged 42.

 

And to think Britain is a first world country that allows it's people to starve, freeze and dwell in such negativity well, the suicide rate is up, that speaks volumes about this country we are so 'proud' of, whilst mealy mouthed politicians send millions abroad in their charitable actions as they deprive their own populace.