[senco-forum] Disability Living Allowance

I've been trying not to answer this thread but can't resist the

Hi Allyson,

Thanks so much for your contribution. I feel both angry and sad that
the most deserving people, such as your son, are all too often not
eligible for DLA. Do you at least get 'Carers Allowance' or is this
yet another can of worms?

As this thread draws to a close hopefully those who have been peddled
the myth that DLA is a doddle to obtain and involves filling in a
simple form now realise how far from the truth this is. Not only can
it take six months or more to get a decision after going through the
application process, the same applies (and worse) to appeals against
its refusal many of which are successful in the long run.

What are the assessment criteria? Well these seem to have been
designed by a committee of solely able bodied people who appear to
have based these upon the support needs of a geriatric population
that's loosing its physical and mental faculties, ironically the one
group that's not entitled to receive DLA. In short it's a lottery and
it's not fair when thoroughly deserving people don't qualify simply
because the ridiculous assessment criteria don't happen to fit them.
At least the vast majority of those who are eligible are extremely
deserving of this allowance.

Incidentally DLA is to some extent means tested ...indirectly. Why?
Because if you receive DLA at the medium or higher rates then certain
other means tested benefits are also increased.

In some counties DLA also used to entitle people to receive a buss
pass that got them half-price travel. However with the government's
insistence that disabled bus travel must be free from April 1st many
counties have severely tightened up their eligibility criteria so a
great many deserving disabled people now have to pay the full fare.

"The government giveth and the councils, LEAs whomever taketh
everything away"

David Bowles

> I've been trying not to answer this thread but can't resist the
> temptation - sorry.

> Don't feel guilty - feel thankful that you were granted this
> allowance.  My son who had a brain tumour 5 years ago is not so
> lucky.  He has had 5 operations on his brain, which left him with
> some damage and he has ataxia down one side - is 100% deaf on the
> same side and has restricted vision.  He had radiotherapy and
> chemotherapy for one year, he was in a wheelchair for two years and
> nearly died of the treatment.  He is left with kidney damage and
> osteoporosis as a result. His spine has not grown due to radiation
> so he has a very short torso, the radiation also knocked out his
> endocrine system for ever so he is supported on artificial hormones 
> and thyroxine.  He now walks with a lurch which means he cannot
> catch a bus or anything that might knock him off his feet.  He was
> turned down for all levels of the DLA as he could "walk 100 yds
> without PAIN and he could open a tin of beans to feed himself" 
> which was the criteria.  No other circumstances were taken into
> account.  Yes he can walk without pain but in an alarming zig-zag
> way! And he can pick up the phone and call for Pizza which he does
> on a regular basis.  But normal life - no.  We have appealed and
> been turned down.  We have had to spend over £1,000 adapting a car
> for him to try and learn to drive in - not really successfully - I
> don't think he will be able to at least for a while yet.  We are
> having to move house as we live in the sticks and he leaves school
> in 2 weeks and will be stranded at home without a chauffeur (me), as
> I will be at work - filling in forms no doubt.   I may add that our
> forms were filled in by a social worker - expert in these matters
> and signed by the consultant.  This is not a pity seeking call - he
> has just reached his 5 year remission - hooray,  merely a
> demonstration of how difficult it is to get this darn allowance.  
> So, if you are offered it - go for it.  

> PS I throw into the ring the Disabled Student Allowance of laptops
> and other goodies which my other (Dyslexic) son, about to go to uni,
> will get - lets face it - without much difficulty.  Have we got this
> right?  I was called yesterday by a (wealthy) parent of a 13yr old
> boy who had heard about DSA and wanted to register her son early... 5years?!

> Which of my sons is disabled?  Yes, the one who drives a car, has
> the stamina to earn money by working unsociable hours, meets his
> friends, can hear in pubs, can walk straight, can play sport, can
> catch a train and can peel potatoes with both hands.  

> I'm all for DSA if means tested...  I'm ready - flak jacket on - for the replies.

> With kind regards

> Mrs A J Bremner
> Head of Curriculum Support