Disability Living Allowance

Getting assessed for your dyspraxia, getting help, disability allowance etc.

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vervegirl
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Disability Living Allowance

Post by vervegirl »

Has anyone here made a successful application for Disability Living Allowance? I'd be interested to hear of experiences that fellow dyspraxics have had.
Osymandus
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by Osymandus »

Im aware of an individual (details hidden for privacy ;) ) receiving the basic amount for quite severe Dyspraxia (which affected their voice as well ). So it is possible.
gherkin001
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by gherkin001 »

I get middle rate care and higher rate mobility DLA
DySpRaXiA dOeSnT mAkE lIfE hArDeR, jUsT mOrE cOmPlIcAtEd.
Osymandus
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by Osymandus »

Speak to your local job Centre and possible CAB as well . They will help if you want to make a claim ;)
vervegirl
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by vervegirl »

I made a claim. Waded through the 41 page form, (a particularly difficult thing to do for an adult with dyspraxia), with the help of an Occupational Therapist who specialises in assessing adults for dyspraxia, but I was turned down. I was urged to appeal but I fell into the trap of being overwhelmed by it all and, consequently, missing out. I've heard of a number of parents of dyspraxic children who have made successful claims for their children, so it seems to me that it's the dyspraxia itself that is making it so difficult to get the DLA; a catch 22.

I wouldn't want to deprive any dyspraxic children of the DLA but surely, if a child can get it, it stands to reason that an adult, struggling with day-to-day living should get it too!

As I work, I'm currently paying someone to help me with housework and also to help me deal with some of the things I find especially difficult, such as incoming post etc. so I could really do with the DLA.
cazzzzy
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by cazzzzy »

there is a working dla you can get as well,im still trying to pluck up the courage to fill it in :*(
Ldyalb
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by Ldyalb »

I'm currently applying for DLA (but for more than just dyspraxia). I believe that my Dyspraxia alone entitles me to LRC and LRM. With the Fibro et al I believe I should get MRC and HRM if I am very lucky.

Firstly DO NOT fill the forms in by yourself, get help from CAB, DIAL or Welfare Rights - people who apply via them have a much higher initial success rate and a higher success rate at appeals and tribunals.

Secondly - almost everyone is turned down by default the first time they apply. Appeal, appeal, appeal. Up to 40% of people are awarded at appeal.

Thirdly you have to put down plenty of detail, thoroughly explain HOW your condition affects you day to day, why you can't do X and what help you get/need for it. In theory Dyspraxia could entitle you to LRC if you cannot cook a meal from scratch by yourself (microwave meals don't count). It could also entitle you to LRM if you need someone to take you to unfamiliar places because you can't follow directions, read a map, tell left from right, need help crossing roads etc. The language used is important say things like 'I need' 'it is essential that I have help with this' etc.

Fourthly - get your GP/Neurologist/any other medical professionals you see on board first. Make sure they will write you a good supporting letter. If you do get refused ask to see the medical letters (DWP have to give you this info). This is a massive hurdle for many, often the DWP write to the wrong GP at your practice who may not know you well, or even know you at all. Or your GP may not realise how bad you struggle - after all Dyspraxia is so encompassing, we simply can't mention everything in a 10 min appointment.

Here's how I have done my application;

1) Highly detailed form, inc 7 sheets of extra info for the questions. I filled the form in by PDF which makes life much easier - HOWEVER I would still advise you to ring and request the paper form. This will be date stamped with two dates, mine said requested on 25 November 2011 and said if I returned it by 6 Jan 2012 any money awarded would be backdated to 25 November. It's worth doing that just for the backdating. If you got LRC and LRM that's just under £40 a week, backdated by 7 weeks is maths I can't do ;) but calculator tells me is £280. Handy to have :)

2) 6,700 extra words (think 11 typed sheets of A4) explaining what each condition is and how it affects. About 3 pages (2000) words are on Dyspraxia. I copied a lot of info from my ESA 50 form so it all matched up and was in similar words, if you are claiming ESA then your ESA 50 is a good starting point :)

3) 2 articles (each condition) explaining all 4 conditions I'm applying for. For Dyspraxia I printed off the NHS Choices page on it for adults and the Dyspraxia Foundations Symptoms Checklist. I highlighted each one which applied to me (all but about 3).

4) Medical letters, I sent each diagnosis letter and a report my Neuropsychologist sent to my GP stating all the problems she found I had after a Neuropsychological assessment in 2010. I also gave the details of my GP, my two Rheumatologists, my Counsellor and my Hand, Physio and Hydro Therapists. They need details of all medical professionals you've seen in past 12 months. Get anyone like a Physio etc to confirm your problems.

5) I got my parents to write me a supporting letter as they care for me daily

6) And Finally I saw a lovely advisor at the CAB. I initially filled in a short tick box form of my areas of difficulty, about 3 weeks later they rang me and advised me it was worth me applying and made an appointment. She helped me immensely and explained to me how to word the form, what info to put down, what to emphasise etc.

Good luck :D
Dyspraxia - Dx Jan 2010, borderline ASD as well plus strong Dyscalculia overlap.

Fibromyalgia - Dx Jan 2011.
Hypermobility - Dx April 2011
Willis-Ekbom Disease - Dx November 2011

I also have Eczema, Rosacea and Trichitollomania. Oh joy :)
Thomas
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by Thomas »

Hello my names tomás im 17 and just graduated from secondary school i was diagnosed with disbraxia two years ago abd it was a waste of time i was told i would have acces to school facilitys to help with it but all i was givin was a laptop to do my exams on at the end of the year as i was told by the deputy principle my erighting was atrocious tho a friend of the family taught me how to typw at a diecent speed i am just wondering if im intitald to any benifits or not weather it be disability pay or a training corce of some discription to help with dealing with this any help is very much appreciated
Tom fod
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Re: Disability Living Allowance

Post by Tom fod »

Hi Thomas and welcome

Are you in the UK? If yes I would suggest contacting the Dyspraxia Foundation via email or their telephone helpline as well as reading the posts here.

It very much depends on the severity of your difficulties and their impact on your day to day life and ability to take care of yourself. The fact you are diagnosed with Dyspraxia is not a guarantee of any entitlement.

Were you assessed for Dyslexia or ADHD at all?

What are you currently doing as far as college or looking for work?
Tom
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With a foot full of bullets I tried to run faster but I just hobbled on to the next disaster.
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