DLA and work

[bluecarliepup]

I have decided to give work one last try and i have moved jobs to a desk job.

I have been intoch with the DLA and they got back in touch with me today, they are allowing me to keep my DLA while I work as the job has changed and not my disability which is a great weight off my mind. It means that if I cant cope back at work then i wont have to go through the palava of filling out forms again.

Just thought id share my good news and let anyone else trying to do the same it is possible.

Take care
Sam
xxxx

[flutterbye]

That is good news, good for you! Wishing you all the best with your new role, hope it all works out well, don't forget to take good care of you!

[Bern2]

I have been reading the information about claiming DLA and would like to contribute my experience. I have been diagnosed with Lupus for many years and eventually made a claim. I was awarded the lower rate for life, but this was withdrawn after a short while. I went to the citizen's advice bureau and the welfare officer there helped me to appeal. We were successful in retaining the lower rate for life. I must also say that I have continued to work throughout as DLA is not usually means tested. I have had a very supportive employer. When my condition deteriorated they referred me to Occupational Health and contacted the Department of Work and Pensions for help with adjustments. The Access to Work Team advised on adjustments to my work pattern and recommended equipment that would help me do my job more comfortably. This enabled me to work on a level par with my colleagues, and conforms to the Disability Discrimination Act.

I admit it has not all been plain sailing, but I was determined to get all the help I could to stay at work - persistance is the key!

Good luck to those who want to work, I hope I have been of some help style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cloud9.gif

[bluecarliepup]

Bern

Thanks for your imput this was exsactly the way I went back to work wwith Occ health intervention and access to work I work in the care sector so I was glad to have the support I did. I recieve high mobility and low care rate and this will remain for the next 2.5 years and i will reapply then.

Take care
Sam

[Bern2]

Hi Sam,

It is all about knowing the system. On initial diagnosis many years ago now, my employers kept asking me what I needed. How was I to know this was all new to me too! For a number of years I did really struggle, until I came up against discrimination from one manager. I was so angry that someone could be so aggressive towards me because of my health restrictions. It prompted me into action - I contacted my union. They put me in touch with a Disability Union Rep. It was the turning point. He contacted my Senior Manager and negotiated with them on my behalf. A bonus point was that the management had the staff trained in disability issues to make them aware of equal opportunities! I have been on quite a journey.

Regards
Bern

[lin]

So nice to hear good stories, well happy endings lets say,, as i am hoping to go back to work also, as a community support worker,and also keep going to see occi health, I have also been told to go back on only 2hrs a day, when i go back, well hoping they do have me back and not finish me as i have been off 8 months

, but my rheumy has written saying i need another 3 months or so off, i aslo get bottom dla, so they dont take it away from you then, i know when the time comes i will ring them to find out if i lose it or not.
,, but nice to read your stories

good luck to you both Lin xxxxxxxxxxxxxx style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[jude hall]

This is all interesting reading. I struggle to do my part time job of 25 hours and wish I could reduce it to cope bette,r but at the same time I cant' afford it and don't realy moral wise want to give up totaly. If as you say this benifit is not means tested I wonder if I could apply and if iam sucsessful the extra income would mean I could reduce my hours to cope better better and not loose to much money. I honestly thought dla was only given to those unable to work fullstop. Thanks for your interesting post.

[lin]

judehall, i thought the same only given to ppl not working at all,,, i aplied after being in hospital, and not being in work for months,
like you i want to carry onwith my part time hrs of 18, hopfully when im stronger, the form does just say to let me know if things change, so when i start back to work, i will just let them know,, up to them then what they do,
hopfully they wont take it from me as i should only be starting back on 2 hrs burt will see when that time comes..

xxxxxxLin

[Bern2]

Hi everyone,

Regarding the discussion about DLA. It is a common misconception that you have to be unemployed to claim this benefit. This assumption is wrong!

I have rung the Disability Helpline to check my facts. They confirm that you can work ( even fulltime) and still claim DLA. The number is 0800 882200, they will advise you and you can also ask for a DLA claim pack. They do offer a form completion service but it is a 3-4 week waiting list. As an alternative, make an appointment with the Citizen's Advice Bureau if you require help in completing the forms. I found their expertise invaluable as the forms are complicated. My philosophy is apply and let them make the decision. The worst that can happen is that they turn it down. You are then in a position to accept the decision or appeal. So, I suggest you apply asap and wait for the decision - it might make all the difference.

A new tack to gaining employment. Try the voluntary sector to gain experience and training. It is a good way of trying something new, or adapting skills you have to other employment. You can do the hours that suit you, and test yourself before comitting to paid employment. It is also useful for references when applying for paid work. As long as you let the Jobcentre know, you can still sign on and do voluntary work. Try the National Volunteer Bureau www.navb.org.uk for information and ideas.

I wish you all well

Bern

[bluecarliepup]

Thanks for the replys guys.

If i give you a little background it may help others when applying for DLA and also theraputic earnings (which is what wages are called when on DLA)

I have worked in the care sector for at least 10 years as a support worker, doing this job means i have to walk about and i also required to help people with there personal hygine from toileting to showering and all inbetween.

I recieved my DLA at the high rate for mobility which means I experience extreme pain when walking I also recieve low rate care as i require help to prepare and make a hot meal.

I was discribed as disbled at work by the occupational health doctor, he wrote a report to my bosses and stated that by moving to an office / admin post would be theroputic in that it would releve stress with money and also depression caused by social exclusion due to my being unable to get out without someone being with me, my bosses offerd my a job as an admin ass. As soon as I was told I had a job to go to I wrote and telephoned the DLA office helpline, they wanted to know if my mobility had improved, how i would get to work, how many hours i worked and also any adaptations required for me to let me work.

I was given a lot of help for access to work a part of the job plus scheme, I sent a job discription and also my occ health reports i also told them how big the office was and what changes where required such as a raised toilet seat, my zimmer frame, and things i dont use at home also enclude a head phone set for the office phone a new seat and a raised desk. The DLA take the evidence and decide weather or not your disability has improved meaning you can go back to work and also look at doctors letters ect that you need as independant points of view. I was told I could keep my DLA because my job had changed to meet my need and this was backed up by a medical professional.

I was told at first that DLA was only awared for 6 months when you started working so you can imagin my surprised when I recieved it untill my DLA is due for renewl as long as my disability has not changed then i will be awarded DLA again (fingers crossed)

I hope this far too long post has helped anyone who is thinking about returning to work. Just remeber what you are getting the benefits for ie if its for mobility then walking over a curtaion distance will show that your mobility has improved. I can not drive so I will have to get a taxi everyday to and from work.

Good luck to anyone trying to head back into some sort of employment or non wage activies, I am only 32 and feel i can still give important imput I can give to my work place. Just to say I also had to take a pay cut as i am being redeployed to a job that is paid less than my old job.

If anyone wishes to know any more about the process I went through please feel free to PM me and I will help as much as i can.

Take care all
Sam
xxxxx

[Bern2]

Hallo again,

It is so good to read about actual experiences and success. Your persistance is a wonderful example of retaining employment. It is important to work with your employer so that there is complete understanding on how Lupus impacts on your work on a day to day basis so that the right support can be put in place.

Good luck style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif
Regars Bern

[sheila t]

I had no idea you could work and get DLA either. I do get DLA at low rate and unable to work 10 years. My Lupus got the better of me. Anyway great to see that people are getting DLA and still able to work.
Have a great day Girls

Sheila xxx

[Bern2]

Hallo all,

It's me again! You can also do part-time paid work and still claim Jobseeker's allowance. Up to sixteen hours pw as long as you declare it when you sign on. Your benefit will be adjusted if your earnings exceed a certain amount. The beauty of this is that it may give you access to other benefits such income support, rent and council tax for example. Phone your local jobcentre for more information about your particular circumstances or the national benefit helpline.

Regards to you all

Bern

[befree]

I have been on and off from work for 4 years now and more recent had a longer stretch of 4mst sick leave which has now been extented .I am really concerned about losing my job,particulaly as my flares a frequent. I would like know if anyone knows how long i would be entitled to recieving sick and also what my chances of claimimg for early retirement on the grounds of ill health are. thank you.
Sky.

[Bern2]

Hallo Sky,
I would suggest that you speak directly to your employer to get the correct information regarding your pay and conditions. Once you have that, I think you need to get the help of someone who knows how to assist you in this area of disability issues in the workplace.
Are you a member of a union? If so, try to get a union rep to support you, who is qualified in Equal Ops, particularly disability issues. Don't be frightened to ask, make sure you get the right person to support you! They, as I am sure your employers will want to, will make sure your case is handled within the law and work towards the best outcome for you.
This was the way I got help, I could not have remained in work without their support. My rep negotiated on my behalf. It was not a confrontational experience with my employers, but a negotiated agreement to get the right help so I could stay at work. It was a lengthy process but we got there in the end!
If you go on the internet and look up the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human Rights Act you will find that employer's are bound to make "reasonable adjustments" in the workplace where possible. In order to find out what is "reasonable", the employer should refer you to you Human Resources Team to see the Occupational Health doctor as the first step. HR will give you a form which you should complete giving the Occupational Health Doctor access to your GP and any other relevant Consultants for uptodate information regarding your health. Make sure that they write to your own medical team. If they don't and you are not happy with the outcome you can appeal - which is what I did to get the opinion my Lupus medical team invovled in my assessment. When you have been assessed then appropriate decisions can be made according to the outcome about what is best for you. Please ask, if I can be of further help.

Regards
Bern

[befree]

Hello bern,

thank you ever so much for your informative and prompt reply. At lease i now have some useful information to work with.

best wishes Sky.[/color]

[Anchoress]

DLA can be a nightmare. My memories are of waiting for medicals, then appealing when turned down. Thankfully higher rate mobility for life was awarded finally. Knowing the system and persistence are the keys as you say here.
Before I came to Ireland I was told I would still be paid this here. Then they made an error and told me I owed them ?1,000.
Again, it was peristence and knowing who to write to that sorted that.
Which is the last thing you want when you are ill......

Blessings this day

[DaisyP]

I work full-time and I've just sent off my DLA claim today. I've had it since November 2005 it's taken me that long to fill in!

I included the report sent to my employer from Access to Work about the changes needed to my working environment and also a letter from an Occupational Therapist at the hospital which I'm hoping will help with my claim.

Also included my letter for my latest hospital appointment. It's not a lot so I'm sure they'll be contacting my GP but at least it's a start.

Wish me luck folks!

[Bern2]

Hi DaisyP

You have made the most important step. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Regards

Bern

[Bern2]

Hallo All

Any news updates?

Hope you are all ok!

Regards
Bern