- Posts: 167
× Members
Al
- Noodles
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #119838 by Noodles
Al was created by Noodles
Hello B&W,
Some time ago I mentioned my husband had been diagnosed with memory loss and possible Demencia. After meeting with hubby's specialist he was today sadly diagnosed with significant Alzheimer's disease. Even though I knew something was wrong, I am absolutely devistated by this latest news. My husband already has sever mobility issues,which led to him obtaining the ESA Support group status without the need for any WCA.
My question is this:
Now Alheimers has been confirmed,and yet another medication ( Manmantine ) prescribed,should we now apply for PIP on the basis of a change in circumstances to his mental health,or should we wait for his turn in the queue so to speak to come around in 2015 and mention this new condition along with my husband chronic arthritis in his Hips, Spine ?
My husband is on indefinite DLA ,he receives the high rate mobility and the middle rate care and has been for over 20 years now. As his wife and full time Carer, I confused about the new rules involving ESA which basically states we cannot bae any claim on both physical and Mental health issues together....have I got this right ?
Worried and Confused.
Some time ago I mentioned my husband had been diagnosed with memory loss and possible Demencia. After meeting with hubby's specialist he was today sadly diagnosed with significant Alzheimer's disease. Even though I knew something was wrong, I am absolutely devistated by this latest news. My husband already has sever mobility issues,which led to him obtaining the ESA Support group status without the need for any WCA.
My question is this:
Now Alheimers has been confirmed,and yet another medication ( Manmantine ) prescribed,should we now apply for PIP on the basis of a change in circumstances to his mental health,or should we wait for his turn in the queue so to speak to come around in 2015 and mention this new condition along with my husband chronic arthritis in his Hips, Spine ?
My husband is on indefinite DLA ,he receives the high rate mobility and the middle rate care and has been for over 20 years now. As his wife and full time Carer, I confused about the new rules involving ESA which basically states we cannot bae any claim on both physical and Mental health issues together....have I got this right ?
Worried and Confused.
Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51284
11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #119849 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Al
Noodles
To deal with the ESA question first. The change to the rules (January 2013), does not prevent a claim on a dual diagnosis of a physical problem and a mental health one, but you need to be specific in splitting the two conditions and their results as, in principle, you will not score points in the physical section (questions 1-10) for a mental health problem and you will not score points in the mental health section (questions 11-17) for a physical problem.
That said, we would not let the form or this restriction from our advising a claimant to complete the form in detail as they feel best describes the daily limitations that they have.
As to the DLA, as this is a new diagnosis, you are required to inform the DWP, but your husband will only receive Higher Rate Care if he now has Care needs during both the day and the night, Medium Rate Care is awarded for needs during the day or the night, but not both.
If this is the case then you should certainly consider reporting it as a Change of Circumstances that will effect his award, whether you will be re-assessed for DLA or invited to claim PIP will depend on your postcode.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-postcode-map-uk
You also need to consider whether your husband would score sufficient points (12) to meet the PIP enhanced Care rate or not and indeed whether he would actually meet the Standard Rate (8 points), as the assessment criteria are very different from DLA. This would also apply to his Mobility award.
Gordon
To deal with the ESA question first. The change to the rules (January 2013), does not prevent a claim on a dual diagnosis of a physical problem and a mental health one, but you need to be specific in splitting the two conditions and their results as, in principle, you will not score points in the physical section (questions 1-10) for a mental health problem and you will not score points in the mental health section (questions 11-17) for a physical problem.
That said, we would not let the form or this restriction from our advising a claimant to complete the form in detail as they feel best describes the daily limitations that they have.
As to the DLA, as this is a new diagnosis, you are required to inform the DWP, but your husband will only receive Higher Rate Care if he now has Care needs during both the day and the night, Medium Rate Care is awarded for needs during the day or the night, but not both.
If this is the case then you should certainly consider reporting it as a Change of Circumstances that will effect his award, whether you will be re-assessed for DLA or invited to claim PIP will depend on your postcode.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/pip-postcode-map-uk
You also need to consider whether your husband would score sufficient points (12) to meet the PIP enhanced Care rate or not and indeed whether he would actually meet the Standard Rate (8 points), as the assessment criteria are very different from DLA. This would also apply to his Mobility award.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Noodles
- Topic Author
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 167
11 years 1 month ago - 11 years 1 month ago #119854 by Noodles
Replied by Noodles on topic Al
Thanks for the speedy reply.
Hubby now needs care and assistance day and night with toilet issues,re assurance and medication. He also cannot mobilise unassisted without the use of his transit wheelchair which I have to push for him due to chronic arthritis and medication which leaves him unable to walk or stand on his own safely,repeatedly,without being a danger to himself & others combined with his confused,forgetful state and his inability to complete simple task due his Alzheimers.
Hubby now needs care and assistance day and night with toilet issues,re assurance and medication. He also cannot mobilise unassisted without the use of his transit wheelchair which I have to push for him due to chronic arthritis and medication which leaves him unable to walk or stand on his own safely,repeatedly,without being a danger to himself & others combined with his confused,forgetful state and his inability to complete simple task due his Alzheimers.
Last edit: 11 years 1 month ago by Gordon.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
- Posts: 51284
11 years 1 month ago #119857 by Gordon
The most important thing is to check which benefit you are likely to be asked to claim and then check the associated Claim guides in the members area.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaclaims
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Al
Noodles wrote: Thanks for the speedy reply.
Hubby now needs care and assistance day and night with toilet issues,re assurance and medication. He also cannot mobilise unassisted without the use of his transit wheelchair which I have to push for him due to chronic arthritis and medication which leaves him unable to walk or stand on his own safely,repeatedly,without being a danger to himself & others combined with his confused,forgetful state and his inability to complete simple task due his Alzheimers.
The most important thing is to check which benefit you are likely to be asked to claim and then check the associated Claim guides in the members area.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/dla/#dlaclaims
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help-for-claimants/pip
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Noodles
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David