Disability Living Allowance

Grateful thanks to Ken Glasson, NTF member who leads us through the complexities of applying for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which is so essential for people impacted by a chronic neurological condition such as tremor. 

DLA is a non-means tested tax free benefit for adults and children with disabilities.  It is for people who need to look after themselves and for those who find it difficult to walk or get around.  You do not need to have someone looking after you to qualify.

In the case of Essential Tremor related to hand and arm movements, it would be difficult to satisfy the mobility component, which is basically about walking.  

But you may well satisfy the care component. 

The basis for the claim would be the ‘cooking test’. This states that ‘you cannot prepare a cooked meal for yourself even if you do have the ingredients.’ This would give you the lowest rate care component. 

To satisfy the middle and higher rates you would have to have significant care needs relating to bodily functions or supervision to prevent harm to yourself.

In the case of Orthostatic Tremor the claim would probably have to relate to problems with walking i.e. the ability to walk an unspecified distance unaided without harm to yourself.  

The success of the claim depends on how you spell out your difficulties, so it is essential that you get this right.

We want a ‘worst day scenario’ e.g. the day when it is hell to get out of bed and the thought of a walk to get your shopping or whatever is just too much to contemplate. 

Again, on mobility the ‘worst case scenario’ e.g. I can walk fifty metres provided I can rest after ten to get my breath back or to allow for the pain caused by the exertion to abate. If I fall I am unable to get up unaided, so have to have somebody to help me.

You get the message? Worst day every time.

The claim form also covers bodily needs and if this is part of your claim, once again ‘worst day scenario’.  

It is difficult or nearly impossible to function without care or support and evidence from your GP or consultant can be used to support your application.

Once the form is completed, what happens next?  

The form goes to a decision maker who can send a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) approved healthcare professional to visit you to carry out a medical examination.  

If you do not allow this visit, your claim will fail unless you can show ‘good cause’.  

If your application is refused then there is an appeal procedure and this can go as far as a tribunal.  All this will be clearly explained in a letter of refusal.

There are several ways to claim

• Call the benefit enquiry line on 0800 882200 for further advice and ask for a form to be sent to you.
• Claim online or print a claim form from www.direct.gov.uk/disability-dla

Most Citizen Advice Bureaux (CAB) will assist in completing the form and may also be able to assist at any appeal hearing.

What other benefits might I be entitled to?

The CAB website at www.adviceguide.org.uk can provide you with the relevant information.

If you look at the front page on this site and click on benefits in the left hand column it will inform you of what you may be able to claim.  

You can also ask your local CAB to do a ‘benefit check’ for you, which will give you an idea of what you can claim.  

This service is confidential, so you can be sure your details are safeguarded.