Just starting to apply for DLA AND HAVE JOINED bAND w.
i HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Sorry abour caps. typing not my forte.
I ahev been on methotrexate since Feb 2004 when I had a formal diagnois but early RA is notoriously difficult to diagnose and I ahd been symptomatic since about 1998 and seen by rheumatologist then ( but with negative diagnosis) My consultant recently told me he thought I ahd had it for 10 years so which date should I put down?
Unfortunately he has just retired so I cannot remind him of this and am not due back at hospital until early DEcember. Am I better off waiting for 5 years to be up? Additional complication is that I am now on waiting list for new knee so in some ways maiking a claim now would certainly be aesier to prove on poor mobility, d discomfort as I have a very dodgy painful joint which gives way and causes me to fall
What do you experts think? Thanks Siobhan
Re:Dla and date of diagnosis. 1 Month, 2 Weeks ago
Siobhan wrote:
QUOTE: Just starting to apply for DLA AND HAVE JOINED bAND w.
i HAVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Sorry abour caps. typing not my forte.
I ahev been on methotrexate since Feb 2004 when I had a formal diagnois but early RA is notoriously difficult to diagnose and I ahd been symptomatic since about 1998 and seen by rheumatologist then ( but with negative diagnosis) My consultant recently told me he thought I ahd had it for 10 years so which date should I put down?
Unfortunately he has just retired so I cannot remind him of this and am not due back at hospital until early DEcember. Am I better off waiting for 5 years to be up? Additional complication is that I am now on waiting list for new knee so in some ways maiking a claim now would certainly be aesier to prove on poor mobility, d discomfort as I have a very dodgy painful joint which gives way and causes me to fall
What do you experts think? Thanks Siobhan
Hi Siobhan,
Firstly welcome to B&W,
Re your DLA claim don't worry too much about the date of diagnosis.
DLA is actually paid for both your care and/or mobility needs. The actual diagnosis of your illness is really of secondary importance.
It is more important to clearly state what your care and/or mobility needs are on the form than put down any diagnosis or date of diagnosis.
If you are not really sure of a date (bearing in mind it is not primarily important) you could just put your best guess down.
Re:Dla and date of diagnosis. 1 Month, 2 Weeks ago
Thanks for that . I suppose I was thinking about proving I had had the condtion for 5+ years so if awarded would not get a time limited award- or am I barking up the wrong tree?
What about the second question -am I better doing it now when my mobility has not been improved by the surgery/ I am told I can expect 3 months only on waaiting list . Another question , I used to do DlA forms for disabled children and know how long they took me as someone who was reasonably proficent and sucessful at them . I am really baulking at doing my own- I have been putting it off for atleast2 years. Is this a common experience and hoelong do other people find it takes . I knmow it isn't just the fact of getting down to it but also the emotional component- of coming face to face with my disability.
Also have you got anything on fatigue . This is a component of RA and the bit I find most disabling but it is variable
Sorry lots of questions in one there but any help much appreciaetedd I hate dealing with DWP and have incap review soon as well
Cheers Siobhan
PS please excuse rterriblr typing but it takeds me ana ge to correct stuff.
You can make an online claim, but I personally prefer filling in claim packs in hard copy.
You can get a claim pack by calling the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 882200.
When you receive it, check out all the free members guides on DLA HERE
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