Query on DLA mobility component rates

[joneseyblod]

Hi there

 

A friend is claiming DLA and gets mobility at the lower rate as its due to mental health conditions and not physical conditions. However their consultant advised that mobility can be awarded at the higher rate for mental health conditions.

 

Does anyone know anything about this and the types of conditions or symptoms that would be required to be awarded the higher rate of mobility.

 

Thank you all for your time

[Bookworm]

First, be warned that getting the higher rate of mobility for a disability which is not visibly impairing the person is really difficult, so be prepared for a fight. It doesn't mean the person won't get it, simply that they're unlikely to get it when they first apply.

 

The criteria used by DLA is being able (or not) to walk short distances unaided. For someone with mental health issues, it would mean that either they might wander off if on their own, or put themselves or others at risk by their actions, or refuse to walk.

 

The help from the consultant could prove invaluable in trying to get mobility awarded, by the way.

 

Be aware though that if your friend asks for a review of the DLA award, both elements get reviewed and it can sometimes lead to the other element being lowered. Not saying it would happen, just that it needs saying.

[joneseyblod]

Hi bookworm

 

Thank you for your advice, and I also appreciate your comments pertaining to a review. I will advise my friend and suggest they get the consultant to try and assist.

 

I have tipped your scales

[dpick]

Hi in my own case I believe that I received DLA mobility component at the higher rate due to this part of the criteria used by DLA as in the danger involved to self or others if the applicant had to walk without an attendant present.

 

as I say I believe I could be wrong I no longer have the award letter and have problems with memory.

 

dpick

[joneseyblod]

Hi

 

Thank you for that. My friend suffers with various severe problems including disocciative states and hallucinations and so I would think definately at risk / in danger if had to walk without an attendant present.

[pompeyfaith]

You may find this of value: DWP - A-Z of medical conditions - Schizophrenia - What is Schizophrenia?

 

This is from the DWP's eyes and gives an idea of awards

 

Just read though the links on the leftside

 

Regards

 

Leon

[joneseyblod]

Hi

 

Thanks for that looks very useful.

 

Strange that they dont mention dissociative disorders anywhere in the A - Z though.

[dpick]

Hi

 

Thanks for that looks very useful.

 

Strange that they dont mention dissociative disorders anywhere in the A - Z though.

 

Hi this is probably the same as when I was informed that I was eligible for a disability premium as part of my income support at that time £44 a week, I rang income support about something else and was then told that I was not claiming all the support I was entitled to.

 

I wonder if I would have ever been informed that I was entitled to this extra support if I had not rang, seems to be a bit of withholding information going on with regard to benefits etc.

 

dpick

[joneseyblod]

Hi dpick

 

That is not good if they are withholding information. I will be passing on all the advice to my friend and hope they get all the support they are entitled to.

[joneseyblod]

Hi

 

A welfare advisor, has informed the following regarding DLA mobility:

 

To qualify for the high rate of the mobility component under the severe mental impairment route you need to be in receipt of the high rate of the care component and:

· Suffer from a state of arrested development or incomplete physical development of the brain, which results in severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning.

 

AND

· Exhibit extreme, unpredictable disruptive behaviour which regularly requires another person to intervene and physically restrain [you] to prevent [you] causing physical injury to [yourself] or another, or damage to property.

Any suggestions on this?

I and the care co-ordinator agree that the lower rate does not seem to cover all of the issues my friend has.

However does severe and frequent hallucinations, dissociative states, personality disorders, and a specialist having a high index of suspicion that my friend is on the autistic scale and in tests them scoring quite highly count?

[joneseyblod]

It seems they need more than the "danger involved to self or others if the applicant had to walk without an attendant present."

Or "might wander off if on their own, or put themselves or others at risk by their actions, or refuse to walk."

[joneseyblod]

Dont know if this makes a difference or not, but hallucinations are often associated with audio hallucinations only i.e. Schizophrenia. However my friend suffers with both audio and visual hallucinations.

 

These hallucinations are frequent and severe and all natural sourroundings "disappear".

[taskmaster]

hi,

i had the same problem not being paid disability premium, i recieved a statement from income support the information on it was incorrect so i telephoned to let them now, they had me down for lower care componant

of DLA when in actual fact i had been awarded the full care 18 months prior to the phone call i got it all back dated, you have to fight for everything when your disabled.

all the best

[taskmaster]

Hi in my own case I believe that I received DLA mobility component at the higher rate due to this part of the criteria used by DLA as in the danger involved to self or others if the applicant had to walk without an attendant present.

 

as I say I believe I could be wrong I no longer have the award letter and have problems with memory.

 

dpick

hi,

same here, DLA assesment must read A DANGER TO SELF AND OTHERS.

sounds extreme but in my case i have severe neurological damage so i could fall on someone as i cannot walk unaided,

hope this helps but be prepared to fight,

good luck

[joneseyblod]

Thanks for the comments there taskmaster!

[stardust_john]

Same here finally filled in my dla reknewal with welfare rights and when got home i/s had contacted me to say I was entitled to apply for backdated severe disability premium backdated for three years. To be honest I hope I get it and I have to say I didnt know there was such a benefit, welfare rights wrote on my form severe diss pre??? and I wondered what it meant and as I say found Income support were talking about same thing when i got home.

[joneseyblod]

Yes they dont seem to be upfront about benefits you could be entitled to, you have to go researching yourself or see welfare advisors etc.

 

Anyone think there is still a possible valid appeal for DLA Mobility at the higher rate? Care is given at the higher rate.

 

I feel the visual hallucinations are the biggest issue happening frequently in the week and lasting for extended periods. How can someone walk with that happening? If they could they would certainly be a danger to self and others if they cant see normal surroundings.

[joneseyblod]

Any suggestions or advice?

[dpick]

Yes they dont seem to be upfront about benefits you could be entitled to, you have to go researching yourself or see welfare advisors etc.

 

Anyone think there is still a possible valid appeal for DLA Mobility at the higher rate? Care is given at the higher rate.

 

I feel the visual hallucinations are the biggest issue happening frequently in the week and lasting for extended periods. How can someone walk with that happening? If they could they would certainly be a danger to self and others if they cant see normal surroundings.

 

I would appeal for DLA higher rate component on the grounds that if the claimant is suffering visual hallucinations then it is very possible that if he goes out on his own he could just walk into a road without any outward sign to any road user that he is going to and then cause an accident which could injure or kill another party. I know this is going to extreme but this in my eyes is not just a vague possibility.

 

 

dpick

[joneseyblod]

Hi dpick

 

Thanks for that, would agree it isnt just a vauge possibility, and this could also extend to themselves as well as others.

[covlass]

I know this post is from November but I thought this may be of help

The Disability Handbook on Dissociative Disorders.

[joneseyblod]

Thank you for that! I will pass it to my friend as I believe she is still waiting on a response or even confirmation of receipt of her appeal. So it would definately be useful.

[covlass]

How long ago did she put her appeal in? I would phone them as they can take ages, in my case when I first appealed they said they was waiting to hear from my daughters school. I contacted the school who are very good in supporting parentsthey had not had any contact from DLA.Don't wait for DLA to gather evidence I would advise your friend to gather as much evidence from Dr's specialist as she can make photo copies and sent them her self always recoorded delivery.

[joneseyblod]

Thanks for that, she isnt sure of the exact date but it was around a week before christmas.

 

Will sugguest she contacts them to ensure receipt and to gather as much evidence as she can.

 

Thank you

[Jules3107]

JONESEYBLOD

With reference to your query. My son Jac has been on Motobilty High Rate since a baby. As soon as he turns 8 in 2 months, dla lower his motobility to low rate. And this is also after me asking them to look at this again (as its wrong!!!). I hope the following answer is not to late for you.

 

Jac has Downs Syndrome, Registered Partially Sighted (Nystagmus - wobbly eyes), Deaf also in November 2008 he was diagnosed with Hyperkinetic disorder -Severe Type. (New name for ADHD) also a congenital heart defect and lastly Respitory complications. From April 09 he has been awarded High Rate Care and Low Rate Motobility. My argument is - if he needs the high rate level of care on a daily basis and at night, does the same level of care stop just because I take him outside? They are all complete A-HOLES. As if we dont have enough to contend with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

During this fight (yet again), I found out something that not a lot of people know.

 

To get High Rate Motobility your friend has to have an IQ of 55 or below to qualify. It was sent out to me via DLA on a Statement of Reasons (DLA503a letter), as I asked them the reason for the STUPID DESICION.

 

It stated the following;-

 

"To be severly menatlly impaired the person must be suffering from arrested development or incomplete physical development of the brain, which results in severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning. A person with severe impairment will sometimes have an IQ of 55 or less. They may also have other problems with communication or lack of understanding of everyday life".

 

My sons IQ is 54. He can only see 4 ft in front of him and deaf also Downs and on top of that Hyperkinetic Disorder and they still refused him - Now it back to appeal

 

I really don't understand these people, yet I have Welfare Rights helping me with the appeal. Yet DLA did say it may not get that far. (Lets Hope)

 

Hope this helps