(UK) Disability Living Allowance?

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Thanks for the input guys - I had been told that AS was difficult to get DLA for, but perhaps in recent years with it coming to mainstream attention things have improved a little.

Does anyone in receipt of DLA live by themselves? I do (and informed them) but I am still visited by the folks several times a month, still can't look after the place properly or myself (I wash up and stuff for work, but minimally and not well).

I also have an on-off illness from another syndrome which has caused me physically to get worse than when I claimed, but that isn't taken into account (was hard enough going through the process once).

One thing that sort of bugs me about this is I feel like I shouldn't be out there living life and meeting people, because I get paid for having problems with that (that is, when I don't feel like doing it full stop, which is sadly often). Is that stupid of me?

Er... yes. That's the same as saying that you shouldn't strive to overcome your problems, or that you have no right to be happy. It's understandable though, I used to feel the same myself.

I live by myself - well, with my partner who also has AS. I lived on my own when I was at university, and although I was living well independently, my wellbeing suffered - I get meltdowns at night if I have a stressful day, and need someone to restrain me, etc. I ended up not going in for classes and only leaving my room when I needed a shower or to go to the supermarket.

We are both quite poor at maintaining the tidiness and cleanliness of the house, and are awaiting some sort of help for that (though we have been waiting a year). We find it's easier to motivate ourselves to tidy up when we know someone is coming round, eg a friend or two, or a family member, or one of his children. So all we'd need is someone to come round once a month and check on how we're doing.


Just remember - no amount of money is going to help you with your situation, unless you use the money for a cleaner, or to go to the pub to socialise, for example. I've been in receipt of DLA for nearly a year now, and my problems are still the same.

See it as your annual compensation for living in this society - if anything they grossly underpay.

I do have DLA, live independently and get no unwanted attention.

I do like how it doesn't get reduced if you have to go on benefits, and benefits are not reduced because of it. The only reason I haven't starved yet and am not homeless is because of DLA..

Write to your MP and tell them that - before the Tories come back in.

I think they could pay a wee bit higher and make the amount automatic for a diagnosis, it would save a lot of faffing around getting it every two years (does anyone know what age they stop making you keep reapplying, if any?)

Mine is indefinite, probably because I have a diagnosis.

I have a diagnosis too - though the last time I applied was a little after being 18 (I took an age to bother filling out the paperwork). So it might be indefinite after that point, but there is still nothing to stop the Tories changing the system - especially if they want to get rid of Gordon Brown's tax rises.

Well if I have to keep applying I will keep applying. My problems don't change.

I don't understand why you don't get it. I got mine on first application.

I failed my first attempt, but I wasn't diagnosed at that point. I was also being modest about my problems.

If you did not write it like its the worst day of your life (that you could possibly have) then you may have not gotten all you are entitled to.

A DLA form needs to be filled out thus;
(id add more details, but i wouldnt want someone copying it down word for word, this is just a very rough, condensed example )

The bolded bit is the most important! cos DLA is for help you need, not the disability itself.

Dont pull any punches; talk in strong & direct language, without actually lying. Take time so that you remember everything that is relevant, practice on scrap paper first. Describe each symptom, how it affects your life, how this is destroying your health, how assistance from another person would help. Imagine how you feel on your worst days. Try and fill up all the space provided, even if it seems your paraphrasing, but try and get all relevant things down.

This process will make you feel extremely depressed, like your writing yourself off. Im afraid thats just the way it works.

You can get someone to help & fill it in for you, ideally a social worker, CAB advocate etc. Just so long as their experienced & know what their doing! If your application gets refused, just try again.

I think I failed the first time, because I did most of it myself. The second time, which I passed, was filled in by myself and my partner. I didn't think some of the things I did were bad enough to put on those forms. I also didn't think I was THAT BAD, but apparently I was. So I was more honest (according to my partner) the second time, and got it.

Maybe filling in the form with someone who sees you every day, or at least more often than not will help you submit a more accurate account.

I think having a diagnosis probably helped a lot more - the people assessing the applications are basically anyone who will put up with the crap salary, rather than experts in any sense.

I see what you mean. I dont fancy your chances much if you leave the boxes blank though! they do say 'describe in your own words the problems you have...' so it doesnt really appear optional.

Remember there are different levels of DLA - they have to ascertain which level (if any) to put you on. I think ticking no or yes just indicates whether this is a relevant section or just to skip to the next page. At the bottom you might fill a box saying how many hours help you need per week. The middle space is the supporting evidence, this is where you justify the number of hours your asking for, and convince them that you really do need help. Remember theyre not just giving money straight away to anyone who asks for it - it takes effort to qualify (its very common to get refused initially) and they will probably contact your named doctor(s) to see if they agree to back up what your claiming.