Agoraphobia and the DLA Mobility Component

I have been diagnosed with agoraphobia by my psychiatrist and do find it very difficult to go out. However I can sometimes get over my nerves and go out when someone I trust is with me. However another problem is I cannot walk very well and use a small mobility scooter around the house.

The problem is to go out very far I need an outdoor scooter. (I cannot drive due to medication, have no access to a car and cannot use buses - scooter cannot go on buses). So I need to get an outdoor scooter under the Motability Scheme for which I need to be on the upper rate of the DLA mobility component.

My problem is that on the physical side I appear to be entitled to the upper mobility rate for which I am due to apply, (I already recieve the lower rate). However I am worried that a diagnosis of agoraphobia might go against me - or would it be the opposite? - that the more help I have in becoming mobile the more chances I have of challenging my agoraphobia? Which way is it likely to be seen by the Benefits Agency?

Please help someone - I am so confused!

Avalon

A diagnosis of agoraphobia should not have any impact on your claim for the higher rate mobility component, because of your walking difficulties.

The only caveat is that if you claim the higher rate of the mobility component, there is a small chance that you could put at risk any subsisting DLA entitlement, including the lower rate of the mobility component, which means your award could be reduced or stopped altogether, rather than increased.

It is rare for people's awards to be reduced or lost in this way, but it does happen. So, if you have an existing award, it is always very valuable to get an opinion from a welfare rights worker if you possibly can.

i to have this and trying to get acess to nhs treatment for this, i froced to cope by carers twise a week to help get my food and money on talbets for this but no help, have to block ones mind out to cope then hits me when in, so many reports medical says this, but i do wonderd if i risk lossing dla, all togther if i apply for middle rate dla due to needing three caers aday , help peronal care and cokkking meals, still waiting on nhs support worker for medical treatment in home, still waiting, wonder too is it wise to not apply for middle rate on phiical care mobity too, then the serve truman/mental heallth, diabaiites effecting my daily life to, no soical life, not bale to acess any life outside the home, in the dark o nthis any adivce?

Crazydiamond wrote:

A diagnosis of agoraphobia should not have any impact on your claim for the higher rate mobility component, because of your walking difficulties.

The only caveat is that if you claim the higher rate of the mobility component, there is a small chance that you could put at risk any subsisting DLA entitlement, including the lower rate of the mobility component, which means your award could be reduced or stopped altogether, rather than increased.

It is rare for people's awards to be reduced or lost in this way, but it does happen. So, if you have an existing award, it is always very valuable to get an opinion from a welfare rights worker if you possibly can.

What about the times they wont allow any mobility as the eprson cant go out so has no need of mobility ?

Dave wrote:

Crazydiamond wrote:

A diagnosis of agoraphobia should not have any impact on your claim for the higher rate mobility component, because of your walking difficulties.

The only caveat is that if you claim the higher rate of the mobility component, there is a small chance that you could put at risk any subsisting DLA entitlement, including the lower rate of the mobility component, which means your award could be reduced or stopped altogether, rather than increased.

It is rare for people's awards to be reduced or lost in this way, but it does happen. So, if you have an existing award, it is always very valuable to get an opinion from a welfare rights worker if you possibly can.

What about the times they wont allow any mobility as the eprson cant go out so has no need of mobility ?

If a person suffered from agoraphobia to the extent that they could never leave the house under any circumstances, then they could not "from time to time benefit from enhanced facilities for locomotion” as they could not satisfy section 73(8) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.

However the OP has indicated that he/she can leave the house from time to time, so the above condition does not apply.

Thanks for all the replies.

It seems that whatever one's entitlement in theory the real danger is that in asking for ones DLA to be looked at or increased in any way one is risking at the same time having it reduced or taken away!

Does anyone know if there is any facility for consulting a Welfare Rights Adviser on the telephone or on line at all? (As I find in hard to get out).

Many thanks,

Avalon (female! )