I must be getting better as my brain fog has lifted and i have put it into gear again.I lose interest in everything when i flare but i am naturaly nosey and love to find out about things ( its why i started the med insurance thread)
Another subject that fascinates me in the disability benefit allowance in other countries.
Our disability living allowance is hard to get like anywhere else but its not means tested.We are still allowed to work ( employers have to by rights adapt the work place for the disabled person) its split into 3 sections
DLA(DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE)
MOTABILITY ALLOWANCE
CARE COMPONANT
The DLA is to help you live better, the motability is for a car or pay to
get you around and the care componant is if you need help with personal hygene and to take meds etc.
We are entitled to this even if we have life insurance policies,savings in the bank etc.
It can be hard to get it even if the claim is backed up by doctors and rheumys letters and reports.
So, what determines who gets it and who doesn't. First come first serve? Or
Lori- both rich and poor are entitled to it, it doesnt matter how much money you have.It does depend on the degree of disability you have.
When i was first diagnosed with RA i recieved it on a lower rate as i was able to do certain things that i cant do now, as my disabilty has become worse and i applied again, i get higher rate, although my care componant was taken away as they decided that i dont need help in the nightI wonder sometimes if we have the right to put in a Human
Rights Complaint at the United Nations - well know I am probably dreaming here but I think people with RA are terribly discriminated against all around the world.
America seems to be particularly bad but the stress we have to endure to receive benefits seems to be a subtle form of mental torture at times. As well as physical pain we are often subjected to mental stress that falls outside of the limits of what I would call reasonable stress.
I am waiting for a stroppy lawyer to get RA and take some action on our behalf. I think it will happen one day. I live in hope anyway.Pin - what is the situation for those who cant work?i live in australia and i went through hell trying to get the dissability allowance. we have an allowance here that you get if your partner works then there is a dissability payment for those whos partner doesnt work. we then also get a health care card to get prescriptions at .90 until it reaches 4.90 then the rest of the year scripts are free. its is good once you get on to the allowance but the government run organisation centrelink decide whether you are elligable then they pay you a fortnightly payment.
Hi Lisa,
I live in the UK too - just a point on DLA - it's not 3 things, DLA is split into the mobility component and the care component and each component is split into levels dependant on what the assessors perceive an individual's need to be. Many people get the mobility component without the care component and many people get both but could be at different levels. With your mobility component you can, after a year of claiming, join the motability scheme which provides adapted vehicles etc which your DLA mobility money pays for. The assessment process is complex and strict and to get any help via DLA you have to work hard and get support from medical staff treating you. DLA is not means tested - anyone can claim (unless you are under 2 years old when you can't get mobility but can get care). If you are unable to work due to a disability or long term illness you can claim incapacity benefit and income support which are means tested and also strictly assessed. Often you will have to have a medical assessment by Dr's working for the benefits agency. If a member of your family, partner or whatever cares for you they can claim a carers allowance subject to similar application and assessment procedures. All of these benefits are paid fortnightly and the amount varies but for example the higher rate of DLA mobility is around £47 per week. I hope this is of interest - benefits are so confusing! I have been turned down for DLA mobility as I can walk too far, the rules state that you must be unable or virtually unable to walk or that walking must cause severe discomfort or be dangerous to your health... Interestingly those with amputations automatically qualify for help at differing levels based on the level of amputation. If anyone has seen Heather Mills-McCartney on that dancing show there was alot in the papers about the fact that she is eligible for DLA due to her amputation (although I'm not sure she claims - I've heard she's quite rich
KT
KT- I was assessed by a mobility doctor and it eventually went to a complaints department.He came round one summer afternoon on a sunday when he should have been there on a saturday.He walked into my house and commanded me to stand up and walk up and down outside in the street, I was practicaly unable to stand as i was going through a major flare and everything was swollen. He noted my swellings , wrote a few things down in a book and left.The letter the disability recieved from him was "The person in question was able to climb up a flight of stairs unaided and could walk alone for at least 50 yards on uneven ground" Hell I hadnt even left my chair.Luckily for me about 20 people complained about the same man and we were looked at again.I get mobility on a higher rate now as my ankles are so deformed and my knees are going the same way.I did have a good day and was able to walk to the car the other day, but the good days arent a frequent visitor anymore.
We have 2 very different forms of disability payments in the U.S.
The first is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) which is wage-based. One has to have 40-quarters of work history (10-years) to be eligible (plus some other criteria). Many people have trouble getting approved, even if their doctor(s) say they are eligible. One is sent to an outside health care provider (who could be a cardiologist, a g.p. or someone else that is not all that familiar with RA) who has to recommend that payments be made. Payments under SSDI are wage based, so the more you made while working will determine your ulitmate payment.
the other is SSI -- for those with less than 40 quarters of work history. It is typically very low-paying, and has means-based testing.
pin cushion, I managed to get the higher based mobility and middle rate care DLA, fortunately I didn't have to see a dr but they did get reports from my GP and rheumatologist. They also rang me asking if i could have a comode installed downstairs! answer was no as we haven't the room.