I’m being medically retired from work on 28th Feb, receive incapacity which will continue at a lower amount but have had info about DLA sent. I don’t think I’m anywhere near bad enough to even qualify for the lowest rate at the mo but have read on here that if you have secondaries, you should get it.DSS lady sent it with the comment of it’s well worth a try and get what you can ! My secondaries are bone mets - please see my profile for other info (can’t be bothered putting extra in - sorry !)
Any advice/hints/tips/opinions from all you helpful ladies ??
The main point with DLA/secondaries is that you should be able to claim DLA under Special Rules DS1500. This form you will have to get signed from your Oncologist, BCN or GP. I found my GP wasn’t willing to sign it - she said you are not that bad!! So I asked my oncologist. She said it was their policy to sign it for all with secondaries as no one could say how long we have. The form requires them to say you may have less than 6 months, so dont let that freak you out. Many of us on DLA have lived much longer than that. In fact now the DWP will recheck after 3 yrs that your situation has not changed. If your hospital has a Welfare Officer then they will help you complete the rest of the form. You dont have to complete the whole thing if you have DS1500. When your claim is accepted you will get the care part at the highest rate which is currently £64.50 p.w. I have heard of many who claimed recently getting the mobility part automatically as well - but am not sure about that. I chose not to claim the mobility part when i first applied 3 years ago. But last year my mobility deteriorated a lot so I applied again and it was backdated 2 years which really surprised me. If you get DLA you can also apply for a blue badge.
Thanks for asking this Liz, i have been diagnosed with secondary, Lung mets and also been told i can get DLA and get everything i can re benefits. Hope someone can answer your question as i wanted to know as well how bad you need to be to get it. I am looking into early retirement on medical grounds as well.
Sue
It’s nowhere near £1000 a month! These are the current DLA rates which were last increased in April 2013.
Higher rate: care component £79.15 a week, mobility component £55.25 a week
Middle rate: care component £53 a week
Lower rate: care component £21 a week, mobility component £21 a week
Completing DS1500 (Special Rules) form entitles you to the higher rate care component without completing that section of the lengthy standard DLA form or providing any further supplementary evidence. You still need to complete the standard questions for the mobility component. It can really help to have an adviser who is experienced in DLA claims to help you to complete an application.
Receipt of higher rate mobility component of DLA entitles you to a blue badge for parking.Receipt of the higher rate care component of DLA enables someone who cares for you to claim Carers’ Allowance.
Hi I applied for DLA when I was first dx, originally I got the care component but then applied for the mobility later when I could not actually get around. I did not apply via DS1500, but it is much easier if you do. I was turned down originally but when I appealed I was given full rate of both the care and mobility component indefinately. This was in 2010 and I have recently been told I will not be reviewed until April 2015. I am not sure how it works now as DLA has been replaced by PIP, but you can still apply using DS1500 and I believe if you do it that way it is awarded quicker and is much less complicated than filling out masses of forms.
Because of the new rules anyone applying really does need to get help from Macmillan or a professional who knows how to answer the questions, it is not so much what you say as to how you say it.
I actually use my mobility component to pay for my motability car, I could not manage without it or get to my appointments and having my blue badge certainly makes life a lot easier on bad days when I find walking difficult.
If you get DLA you can also apply for a blue badge.