Not disabled enough

MrsGeorge · Post by **MrsGeorge** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:35 am

Gotta love the English benefits system. I applied for Disability living allowance - a small benefit to help disabled people be able to live more normally and afford a little help with the costs of disability. I still work so it's not full-time sickness benefit. After 6 months they ahve come back and told me that I am not disabled enough. I have been on crutches or a walking stick permenantly since May. But it has been deemed that as I can walk 50yards, albeit very slowly with aids then I am sufficiently able bodied. And apparantly despite having several knife slips in the kitchen due to numb hand I am in fact safe and able to prepare and carry my own meals (even when on crutches)! Just how disabled to I have to be?

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:28 am

Oh that's awful MrsG. Can you appeal it?
I wonder if you were to hire someone for some of the housework, would it make them believe you need the help more?....just an idea.
I have found that sometimes when you do the honest or struggling thing with benefits, you end up losing out compared to how you would have been treated if you just claimed 100%.
Hope you get an appeal...

MrsGeorge · Post by **MrsGeorge** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:08 am

I have to appeal but I am still trying to decide if it is worth the effort. Apparently they don't consider needing help with the housework to be claimable, nor is help getting around / being driven places.

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:08 am

oh, that is surprising. What DO they consider claimable?

In Ireland it's sort of down to each doctor/local community officer or nurse as to what kind of social welfare and benefits you receive, and you might also have an interview with a doctor in the social welfare government department.

gibbledygook · Post by **gibbledygook** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:12 am

I heard that you can claim disability for depression. I was also denied any benefits because I haven't paid the right kind of tax (national insurance). I can't wait not to pay any more tax in this stupid country. When you see how many able-bodied people get paid not to work and yet severely disabled people who can barely walk are denied help. It just makes me want to emigrate.

craftiegal · Post by **craftiegal** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:47 am

How horrid. I really hope those who make the decisions for the disabled or "not disabled enough," never need the system - they really need a wake-up call. It's just not fair.

Are you able to take an attorney with you? Someone who wouldn't get paid unless you won the case? Then again, who wants to pay an attorney.

Here in the U.S. people collect disability for all kinds of things, including depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse.

I really hope your able to get and win the appeal. Keep on fighting.