Hi All

I haven't been on the forum for a long while, although I've been on HU Unlocked quite a bit. I've been off work since end of January it started with me being late for work I'd altered my working hours as I generally worked at 9 - 5 but found that i was still with a client at 5 or on the phone so never got off. I suggested I then worked 930 -5.30 that was fine. In January as you all know very cold snow ice etc. My RA sero - negative diagnosed April 2008 MTX Tabs Complete Hair loss, so injections hair started to grow back after 6 months pretty good now. tried Sulphasalazine no joy then Humira December 23 2009, by June 2010 using Humira Weekly, had a couple of flares but settled no real time off work. So back to january 2011 still on weekly Humira MTX 100mg Amytriptaline nightly, pain patches and diclofenic 75mg twice aday plus odds and sods. You of course get the picture. I left the house at 8.20 generally for a 40 minute drive but I started to get more pain stiffer and having to really struggle to get ready. One morning I was repremanded like a young schoolgirl at being late it was 9.40. Now in my job if you ever get a full lunch hour or finish even at 5.30 your lucky. I went home that evening still upset. Slowly though the RA started to play up, fingers, trying to do blouse buttons, get bra on even was a mare, so I said to hubs that I was worried that I would get more flack from my young manager, she is doing te job i did for 20 years until I went part time 4 days a week. So with the pain and stiffness getting worse the fatigue started to kick in and I found myself nodding off at my desk. I finally went to my GP the 27th January. she took one look at me and signed me off and advised upping meds and seeing rheumy standard but essential treatment, as I left her office I looked at the sicknote a month off. Well that was then and we are heading in to May.
I finally sent off for my DLA on the 7th April and the pack arrived last week, I have looked through it and must admit I found it a bit scary, I have got the NRAS booklet as well, we are reasonbly OK but I find the stairs are killers and I can just about walk for 5 mins wihout having to stop I also had a full stenosis of the spine in 2003 that was operated on. I have had a Carpal Tunnel on right hand also probs with Ulnar nerve so little and ring finger damaged plus RA in wrist. My left knee toes and ankles are worse so I use a walking stick but need to hold it in right hand woops carpal tunnel oh oh!

So DLA any hints tips, fill it out in pencil first or CAB for help anything and everything you guys can think off would be good, I can't wash my hair in the shower as my shoulders and neck don't like it, so I wash it in the sink then drying it again a mare as right hand damaged.

The thought of appeals and tribunals sound pretty scary to me and I can't believe in this day and age we should be submitted to a barbaric system when there are so many claiming for and receiving benefits that jolly well don't need them or have not paid in to our N I.

So I'm sure all of you have been asked to help with this many times, but I will appreciate any help you can give.

with best wishes

Tricia -P x

Hiya Tricia ,

Sorry you are having a bad time despite all your efforts , and i presume that you are still getting med certs from your GP.

In your position it would be very good for you to attend at a local CAB/Advice centre . Our Bureau has someone do the forms at an appointment , however this service is not available everywhere, you will have to ask .There is great demand for these specialist services .
A visit there should help as well with any possible employment issues .

Remember you have to get the form back to them by the date on the front of the form, and you might not be able to get an appointment in time . There could also be other services in your area who do this .

For more advice on the criteria ..see Disability Allaince-DLA

On the form ..use as much "white space " as possible to describe what issues you have and examples ..eg you stated that you cannot wash and dry your hair , without severe difficulty.Another test for the care component is NOT being able to prepare and cook a full meal from fresh ingredients for yourself .. Think of things like peeling potatoes and carrying /lifting saucepans, etc etc etc. and state this in the relevant boxes. Care needs are to do with your personal care such as washing, dressing including shoes, cooking, taking medication etc .

The mobility element is for walking only and not your ability to climb hills or carry shopping .. there is a good example of this on the link above .

You can download a form from here to print and use as a rough one if you require .. but use the one you have already got , as that is date stamped (They will only pay from the date they receive the form if you use the PDF form in the link!) DLA claim.

Get evidence from GP/Consultant and other Health Care Professionals as to your needs , and send copies off with the form . It is also handy to send them copies of a diary that shows your difficulties. Send everything recorded delivery and keep copies of everything yourself.
If you cannot get help from an advice centre then go through the form with friends and family who will remind you how bad you can be on your worst days , as we very often forget these days and embrace the good days .
Remember the decision is made by a Decision Maker sitting in an office and they can only go by what you say , and the supporting evidence that you send in (They do not always contact your GP/Consultant themselves direct)

If you have problems around the house , it might also be worth considering a "Needs Assessment" from you Local Authority , this might give you assistance with various aspects of day to day living.

Hope this points you in the right direction.

Rich :)