should i claim DLA?

Question

i have worked all my life, paid all my taxes and contributed to society in a positive way. however i am partially sighted and do find getting around in an unfamiliar place difficult. i cannot see road signs, bus numbers and train timetable boards. obviously i can't drive either. i have been told that i would probably qualify for DLA. the problem i have is - i have never liked the idea of people claiming from the DSS when they don't need to and have spoken out against it. do you think i should claim to help me with the cost of taxis and glasses (being regisrered as partially sighted only entitles me to a free eye test and offers no help towards the cost of my glasses because i work full time)

Answer 1

Hello.Please claim for DLA.If you do,and in order for you to get it,make sure you take your information pack and forms to the Citizens Advice Bureau.The criteria for getting DLA is very strict and thus the forms are lengthy.By getting the C.A.B. involved will mean you stand a better chance of getting the various mobility components the first time round.It may take a while for the whole process to be completed,but please take the plunge and get a pack.All DLA,if granted,is backdated to the time of the original claim. I have DLA for help with my multiple osteo arthritis, fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome and got mine on my third attempt.Please don't be put off by the questions you will be asked to fill in.If you have a genuine case for DLA,then please go ahead and get it.It can be worth up to £75 or so a week.

You should also apply for an HC2 as well. If you get an HC1 claim form and fill this in,and if you are granted an HC2 Certificate for full help with health costs,this will entitle you to free NHS prescriptions,free dental treatment,free sight tests,the full value of a voucher towards the cost of glasses and contact lens,free NHS wigs and fabric supports and refunds of necessary costs of travel to receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant. This HC2 is based on your income and savings but is well worth applying for.

Also,if you are registered as disabled, you can apply for a free bus permit to allow you to travel to and from work and which is paid for by the local authority. You can also apply for a Disabled Railcard as well and get 34% off all your fares and which can be used at ANYTIME of the day or night.Any person who accompanies you will also be entitled to the same fare reduction. I again suggest you ask the C.A.B. for their help in applying for these. Both are worth applying for as any bus pass granted is free, but the railcard is £18 a year.

I do hope this will help you. All the very best, Alan L.

Answer 2

Yes. Yours is just the sort of need the sytem is supposed to meet! But get help from one of the voluntary agencies with filling in the forms, because they are more familiar with the various entitlements, and how to apply. Try your local volunteer centre, and there will be an agency which has the aim of helping people deal with these applications. We tend to play down our disabilities, because we've become used to them over the years as they develop. But the agency will view them differently and will make sure you state them clearly. When a relative of mine applied for an orange badge, we told the agnecy (called Network) that he used to fall over. The agnecy woman wrote on the form: "I fall over frequently." Both my relative and I chipped in "Well, perhaps frequently is over-stating it." So she asked, "Well, how often do you fall over in a day?" And we answered, "Maybe 10 or 15 times." She answered, "That's frequently!" So that's how the form went in, and a doctor came out to assess. We didn't even apply for the allowance, just for the orange badge, but the cash followed anyway.

Maybe you're entitled to an orange badge for the car too - it can be used in someone else's car.

Answer 3

You should apply for it and if they thing you are entitled to receive dla you will get it and if not you wont there is no harm in applying as this is money that you would be entitled to

Answer 4

I would stick to the principle behind all of these sort of schemes. If you need it claim it of you don't then don't. I think you will find that, with your sort of attitude to this, if you claim and get paid then you deserve it

Answer 5

just get back what you paid in all these years why the hell not just look at it as sick pay you saved up all the years you worked people such as yourself are what this type of benefit should be for get your full good luck

Answer 6

If you are entitled to it then claim it!

Its your right to have that money, its not scrounging, it will help to improve your lifestyle.
Go for it!

Answer 7

theres no shame in legitimate people claiming allowances,its the scroungers of the country that are at fault not you.CLAIM

Answer 8

yeah i would claim

even if you dont get help for your problems you can still claim

Answer 9

Yes you can and should claim.

This link might be of help to you

http://groups.msn.com/ARayOfHope/dlabenefits.msnw

Good luck
A.D.