Claiming disability?

[Hollyhunny]

is or has anyone claimed disability for being overweight or the problems being overweight has caused?
ie: mobility issues,unable to walk short distances,climbing stairs,back,joint pains etc?

 

[Linski]

Hi Holly, My husband was run over 30 years ago and he now suffers arthiritis and we are in the midst of claiming mobility allowance which is linked to disability allowance. The forms are long winded and basically if you are having difficulty walking , caring for yourself etc you need to explain this fully on the form. My view is go for it if you are having the above difficulties as it is a disability for what ever reason. If you explore on the internet they turn down nearly 95% of calims first time and you then need to appeal, appeal, appeal! We are on our first appeal and if I were you I would fill in the form and follow through.
Good luck.

Linski xxx

 

[Hollyhunny]

hey thanks for the info!
and the moral support..

 

[Grace]

Hi, at the moment I get this because of M.E and severe back pain causing problems walking. I'm sometimes in a wheelchair. I'm registered disabled now.
I was turned down my first time.
I found getting someone else to fill the form in for me was what swung it: a lady from Carer's Resource came and did it with me. It's also good if you have support from a medical consultant, physio etc. I had support from my physio at the M.E. clinic. I don't think they take much notice of GP's sadly.
The forms are an absolute beast, so it's best to have someone who knows to help you.

 

[Shopgirl1301]

I have to agree with Charis here, if you can get someone to help you all the better, one of my sons is autistic, he was diagnosed just before his 3rd birthday, and it took my approximately 2 years (3 appeals) to get DLA for him (he is now nearly 18), I have a filing cabinet full of paperwork now but I can still remember that first form, just think of the worst possible day you have had and fill the form in based on that day. Try and get someone to come to your home and help you if you can.
Wendyx

 

[novamay]

No, luckily I've always been in employment since leaving school so haven't needed to claim benefits. I've been between 18 and 23 stones during this time and its not affected my mobility to the extent that I've had to leave work. I do get reocurring back, hip and knee pain, can't carry heavy objects or stand for long, and am prone to falling down (can't see me feet!).

Things could change in future though if I don't have the surgery or lose weight by other means. I can see my health deteriorating to the point where I will need assistance or go part time/give up work, etc. I already have diabetes, hbp and have a family history of strokes and heart attacks.

I've seen the forms for benefits when my dad claimed for incapacity and they're definitely no walk in the park! Scary stuff... Best of luck to you if you do need to claim.

 

[dawny]

i get DLA and am also registered disabled, i was lucky to actually get it first time around, but i think the fact that my condition was well documented at my gp's and also from the spinal clinic at the hospital, and the fact that i also had forthcoming surgerys, etc may have helped. also a lot of my conditions in my spine, will not be helped by surgery, so they are a permanent fixture so to speak, either that or i was just very lucky,because i had heard that they turn most ppl down first time. good luck with your application/appeal, i really hope you get it, cos it makes such a difference to your life when you dont have to worry about finances as much.

 

[Hollyhunny]

wow
I am always amazed at how naive I am!

I actually thought I could apply and get it with no problems.

Thinking back, it took me dropping my 6 month old breastfeeding baby on her head and bruising her skull because I fell asleep (again) whilst being on a waiting list to test for sleep apnea. As if falling asleep between contractions during labour didn't convince them.

So, is this something citizens advice could help me with? or do they have a disability office I could walk in?

 

[Grace]

o you have a Carer's Resource? if not try CAB and if the don't do it, they'll know who will.

 

[Bev]

I am still currently employed and coasting retirement, but due to cancer and consequent mobility issues I have taken leave, it would be better for me to complete my pension reponsibilities since I am close to my retirement age. I am hoping that my pension plans will be realised given the recent Governmental changes.

Since having had cancer in the last year it has exasperated my other health issues but I am doing what I can to continue for as long as I can and remain as independent as possible...

My weight has been problematic in terms of my work, but I am more supervisory and office bound so it has been a relief, however, should I have been having to race around as I always did, it would have proved difficult.

I am awaiting surgery and recovering from cancer treatment and my plan is to return to my work and to 'tidy my desk' and finish my career before retirement.

Good luck to everyone and I sincerely hope that you are able to make yourselves feel better and find the best route for you...

Best foot forward as always and sending huge hugs to all xxx

 

[zns]

I receive DLA for my depression and mobility issues. The CAB will be the best place to help with forms. It really is all about the words you use.

 

[zns]

Beverlie if you have cancer you are entitled to DLA

 

[Bev]

Thanks zns, I was told at the Onclogy centre and I am so grateful that you have mentioned this.. but I am returning to work soon plus I'm hoping not to be off that long then it will be retirement and I can't wait.

My cancer is currently in remission and I'm hoping it will stay that way, many thanks again Angel.

Thank you and loving hugs xxx

 

[dawny]

bev, you can still claim dla even if your working, and you could probably claim it for your spondyitis hun, its worth a try, it could help you out once you retire, but you can only claim it up to a certain age, dont worry youve got a while to go yet, i think its either 60 or 65

 

[zns]

I agree I think you should still claim, get some use out of your NI payments lovely x

 

[Roch]

Call ur local council and ask them for the details of ur local disability group, in my experience they can help fill out the forms better than the CAB. There is one group called Dial but did a search for u could not find one in South Wales.
When u find one just give them a call and book an app to get help filling in the DLA form. Have u got any documented evidence about ur health problems if so include that in your application.
Also if ur having problems because of ur weight and ur struggling at home ask your doc to refer u to a Occupational therapist, they will visit u and see wat help u might need and what things they can give u to make things at home easier for you. If you then send the OT report in with your application this counts towards documented evidence, if it was me i would wait till i had a report from a OT and then go to ur local disability group.
It takes up to 12 weeks to get a reply then as others have said lots of people do get turned down first time but if u do it through ur local group and u have a OT report u should have more of a chance to get some kind of award.

Good luck hun and take care luv Roch xx

 

[Bev]

I hadn't realised that I could claim it if I am intending to return to work, I will have to have a think around it and at present I am under five specialists for various medical issues, not hard when you are diabetic...

My retirement is pending, so I am due to review everything and thank you, but it's important for me to go and organise my leaving 'do' which is traditional and I want to make sure I don't leave any open projects and loose ends for others... but this is a helpful thread for those who are really struggling.

Which ever way everyone has to survive, I have worsened as I approach retirement so have had been so lucky to have enjoyed my working life until very recently... but you know me... never say never... if there is wheelchair access... I may never retire at all !!!

Loving hugs and thank you for caring xxx

 

[zns]

I work for myself from home, DLA isnt work dependant x

 

[Bev]

Since there will be many who don't know what their entitlements are... would it be helpful if we had a thread on here to assist or could anyone suggest a simplistic chart or info guide that could assist those who have less knowledge?

Love and hugs xxx

 

[Angler]

Holly,
Give these a try if they can't help you, they should be able to tell who can in our area.

The Disability Advice Project is a Torfaen based charity that serves the needs of disabled people, their families and carers in our community. The Project also operates in the surrounding areas of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Swansea in South Wales.

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