Hello…a question for you? I am aware of some people that have been granted DLA benefit whilst having treatment for BC but got rejected when I applied for it.
I appealed this and have now got a hearing date. I was just wondering if anyone else has applied for this benefit and if they were successful or not?
xxxx
Hi Salsal,
I was awarded lower rate Dla after my MX last year due to the fact that I could not lift dishes in and out of the oven and therefore could not cook a meal for myself. One of the criteria for getting low rate DLA is not being able to cook a meal for yourself using a conventional oven. Hope this may help.
Esme x
Just another thought. Do you have anyone from McMillan ar citizens advice helping you with your claim. I had a wonderful lady who helped me sort my DLA. They tend to know how to word things and all the pitfalls. Good luck. Esme x
Hi salsal 21
Here’s a link to Macmillan cancer support, the webpage you will be directed to contains information and advice about financial help and benefits available, they also have a helpline you may wish to call for more advice and you can access the number via this link too:
macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/FinancialSupport/FinancialSupport.aspx
Best wishes
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Our Macmillan nurse helped Vicky sort out both her blue badge and DLA applications (albeit the DLA is higher level under special rules) but definitely worth asking for help.
Best of luck with your hearing,
Stuart
I applied for it after surgery in 2006 as I could not get Incapacity Benefit. The DWP contacted my GP and he said I wasn’t sick enough! (like I was only 33mm tumour, aggressive stage 3, lymph node involvement and Her2+++, plus I had originally been told my tests were all clear so the psychological side was awful).
My husband questioned this with another GP in our surgery who just happens to be my GPs wife and she curtly said you could only get DLA if you had lost the use of both your arms and legs. They constantly back each other up and I think it is wrong for them to be working out of the same surgery.
I think one of the problems for those with primary bc claiming DLA is the the time issue:
“To claim you must have needed help for 3 months and be likely to need it for at least another 6 months (but there are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get the allowance more quickly and easily)”.
No matter how badly the chemo affects you normally things are returning to normal after 9mths.
I found when I started trying to claim DLA my first port of call was the GP. I had already been dx with extensive bone mets and was starting to experience difficult getting about. When I asked her to sign the Special Rules for those with a terminal disease she said to me - but you are keeping so well!!! I very rarely see her for my medical care as it is all cancer based so she was making a judgement based on my personal appearance. Fortunately my oncologist took a very different view. But I think if you have primary bc, unless you have been very unfortunate and left with severe lymphodema or something similarly disabling, they (the DWP) do not look very favourably on a claim to entitlement.
Dawn
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I had DLA granted at the lower rate after treatment for BC. I have nerve damage in my left arm/hand which does cause me problems. Granted because I had difficulty preparing meals. The damage is from radiotherapy.
I now have higher rate DLA claimed through special rules as I have secondaries.
The form is a bit of nightmare, you can put your name down at the DLA service and someone will phone you and guide you through the form.
Best wishes.
Paula x
The girl at McMillan benefits filled in my form for me. I’m so glad she did because it took her the best part of an hour non-stop writing…I’d never have managed it!
She said that if it was ‘just’ for primary BC she wouldn’t bother, but she filled it in for me as I have Lymphoedema in my right hand & arm (& I’m right handed).
I got the minimum care component, as I can’t make a main meal alone.
I think there are a few ladies who have managed to get DLA on a primary diagnosis with more helpful McMillan benefits advisors than I had!!
I’ve also heard that if you keep appealing if declined then you might just wear them down!!
Hxx
Hi I was also turned down for DLA twice,and because I have never claimed anything in my life before just gave up,its not neccesarily
immediate when you feel side effects from treatment I am now getting
pains in my arm and shoulder and suffering terrible pains in my heels making it difficult to walk Iam 6 months on from treatment have
gone back to work possibly to soon just constantly tired.
xx