Benefits

Whilst we all want to do as much as we can, for some of us, sometimes, it's just not always manageable. Some people living with a congenital heart condition (CHD) may be disabled, or may be less able than others.

You may find it difficult to work because of health restrictions or physical ability and you may struggle to manage a working life with hospital appointments, fluctuating energy and all the other factors that often come with having a CHD.

If you any of these scenarios apply to you, or you are concerned about what may happen should you need to reduce you working hours or stop working, then it may be a good idea to understand your position regarding some of the state benefits that could be available to you.

Often, negotiating your way through the ins and outs, do's and don'ts, of the benefit system can seem like a minefield, but don't panic or be put off - let GUCH News set Disability Living Allowance out in black and white:

Disability Living Allowance


What is it? Disability Living Allowance (sometimes referred to as DLA) is a tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.

Who can get it? You may be able to get DLA if you are aged under 65 and have needed supervision or help with personal care; or if you have had walking difficulties because of a physical or mental disability for three months, and you are likely to need this help or have these difficulties for at least another six months.

How do you get it? Some people who make a claim for DLA may be asked to have a medical examination. This is usually because more information is needed before a decision about the claim can be made.

About the medical examination: A medical examination involves an interview and sometimes a medical examination with a doctor who has completed specialised training in disability awareness. The Medical Services doctor's examination is not to diagnose or discuss treatment of your medical condition; it is to assess how your condition affects you.

Your rights at a medical

examination: The medical examination will usually take place in your own home at a time that suits you. It may also take place at a Medical Examination Centre (MEC) in your area. You should be given seven days' notice of your examination, but you can ask for an earlier appointment if that suits you better

You have the right:
  • To have a friend, relative or support worker with you at the medical examination
  • To ask for an interpreter if you need one
  • To ask to be examined by a doctor of the same gender as yourself
You need to let Medical Services know ahead of time if you want an interpreter or same-gender doctor. They will try to find one for you, but this may not always be possible in some areas.

Different types of needs: Benefits are split into two separate components - Care Needs and Mobility Needs, both detailed below. You may be entitled to either one or both.

If you have Care Needs: To get the care component of DLA, your disability must be severe enough for you to need at least one of the following:
  • help with things such as washing, dressing, eating, getting to and using the toilet, or communicating your needs
  • supervision to avoid you putting yourself or others in substantial danger
  • someone with you when you are on dialysis
  • someone to prepare a cooked main meal for yourself (if you had the ingredients), if you are aged 16 or over

Rates

There are three rates within the Care Needs component, which relate to how your disability affects you:

Care component Weekly rate
  • Highest rate £71.40
  • Middle rate £47.80
  • Lowest rate £18.95
Mobility component Weekly rate
  • Higher rate £49.85
  • Lower rate £18.95
  • The lowest rate, if you need help or supervision for some of the day or you are unable to prepare a cooked main meal
  • The middle rate, if you need help with personal care frequently or supervision continually throughout the day only, or help with personal care or someone to watch over you during the night only, or someone with you while on dialysis
  • The highest rate, if you need help or supervision frequently throughout the day and during the night
You can get Disability Living Allowance for your care needs even if no one is actually giving you the care you need, even if you live alone.

If you have Mobility Needs:
  • To get the Mobility component of DLA, your disability must be severe enough for you to have any of the following walking difficulties, even when wearing or using an aid or equipment you normally use:
  • You are unable or virtually unable to walk, or you have no feet or legs
  • You are assessed to be both 100% disabled because of loss of eyesight and not less than 80% disabled because of deafness, and you need someone with you when you are out of doors
  • You are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and qualify for the highest rate of care component
  • The effort of walking could threaten your life or seriously affect your health
  • You need guidance or supervision from another person when walking out of doors in unfamiliar places
There are two rates within the Mobility Needs component, which relate to how your disability affects you:
  • The lower rate, if you need guidance or supervision out of doors
  • The higher rate, if you have any of the other, more severe, walking difficulties
Will it affect other benefits and/or entitlements that I am receiving? If you start to get DLA, it might increase the amount of other benefits or credits you're entitled to, such as Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Disability Living Allowance is normally not counted as income when calculating these income-related benefits and credits.

How is it paid? DLA is normally paid directly into any account of your choice which accepts Direct Payment of benefits. This might be a bank, building society or other account provider.You may be able to get someone else to collect your DLA if you wish. For help with this, please contact your bank, building society or other account provider

How do I claim? Claim straight away - if you delay you may lose benefit.
  • PHONE: Contact the Benefits Enquiry Line on freephone 0800 882 200
  • WRITE: The Benefits Enquiry Line, 2nd Floor, Red Rose House, Lancaster Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 1HB
  • TEXT PHONE: 0800 243 355
  • EMAIL: BEL-Customer-Services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
  • WEBSITE: www.direct.gov.uk/disability-money
Compiled by Victoria Goldsmith With thanks to Jane Coates

Certain information has been reproduced with permission from www.direct.gov.uk/disability-money

First Printed in GUCH News Summer 2010