Bipolar can i claim dla?
im manic depressive, now called bipolar, can i claim dla?
it is possible to claim DLA for mental health problems. whether you are successful is based on the effect your illness has on your day to day life, it is not based on your diagnosis. i have been on DLA for psych problems for 15 years. i was even awarded the lower rate mobility component because i sometimes needed supervision outdoors and i can become lost and confused in unfamiliar surrounding.
to get lower rate care component you must be incapable of cooking a meal from scratch for yourself.
to be awarded the middle rate care you need supervision for periods during the day. to get the higher rate you must need supervision during the night (not every day).
to be successful you have to fill the form in with very detailed answers. i included 12 extra pages of information with my form explaining how my life is affected by my illness and the problems i face. i would recommend that you answer the questions according to how you are on your worst day.
you may need to attend a medical with one of their doctors; they will also contact your GP and psychiatrist for more information. even though DLA is awarded because you need care you do not need to be in receipt of that care to claim. what you spend the money on is up to you.
if you are in receipt of other state benefits such as Income Support or ESA then they will increase as premiums will be added. you can also claim DLA even if you work and you may be entitled to some housing benefit and council tax benefit on top as the amount of money you are allowed to have before these benefits are stopped increases. also if you work more than 16 hours a week you can claim disability tax credits. (only if awarded middle or higher rate care).
on DLA you can get disabled discounts. for example you can get a disabled railcard and a CEA card for someone to go to the cinema with you for free (only one of you pays).
there is nothing to lose, fill the forms in and try. best wishes.