Disabled Living Allowance

[ianess]

Has anyone a story to tell about claiming this?

[stellaweston]

I claimed the higher rates of both components when my severely autistic son turned 5, at first I was refused, so appealed and was then awarded it for 3 years (you need it at least 5 for a car) I appealed again as friends of mine with children less severe than mine were awarded it for longer periods, and finally got it. The whole process took 18 months and it wasn't backdated. My Mother has Alzheimers and she was refused it (my Dad wont appeal) I think it is truly down to who looks at your form at the time, but if you disagree with a decision please appeal! Good luck

[dirtyharriet]

The forms are a nightmare. I claim for my Autistic spectrum son and I too had to appeal before I was accepted. The knack is in answering the questions correctly(easier said than done). The ones where it says "What would you do if you had the help that you needed" I had problems with as I didn't immediately understand what they meant. Now I just think about the things he has difficulty with and use them as examples as what he could do if he "had the help"

[nicola_red]

I claimed for about 18 months whilst I was having a series of major ops on my leg and was using a wheelchair/crutches. I got the higher rate mobility and middle rate care for most of that time. Labour came into power during the time I was claiming and the process suddenly became much more complicated, the paperwork doubled and I felt as if I was being asked to account for my every waking move. I felt it was a catch 22 because if I put down that I went to pubs, clubs etc it wpuld seem as if I was 'having too much fun' to be really disabled, and if I said I didn't go out then why would I need so much money for mobility? I'm in no way a Tory but it seemed a bit suspicious that the process had suddenly become so much harder work. I also had to wait 4 months whilst they investigated me because they thought the man I was living with was my boyfriend and if he was it should be entirely down to him to support me financially...during that time I had nothing to live on and became a virtual recluse. Then there were problems with my exemption from council tax...basically claiming benefits is a nightmare! But I did get a decent amount of money and now I'm fit and healthy again I remember that whenever I look at my payslip and feel depressed about the amount of tax I'm paying.

[heartache]

Strange thing claiming benifits, best thing is to apply and see how you go. I know someone who gets disability for having crones disease and another who cant walk due to arthritis and isnt entitled to it so who awards what and who gets it is hard to say. Claim it and see if your not happy appeal.