DLA and BPD

startingagain · 31-12-2009, 07:41 PM

I got DLA 2 years ago for depression. I now have a diagnosis of BPD and just reapplied. They gave me the same as before and I have to reapply in 2 years. The DWP website says that you can get it indefinitely for a personality disorder. Do others with BPD have to reapply every 2 years? I'd like to be able to just forget about it. Thanks.

31-12-2009, 07:56 PM

i have dla for similar reasons, and it was much the same when i reapplied, ive got a couple of diagnoses with bpd as one of them. a lot of the time they seem to give it for a couple of years instead of indefinately so that if your circumstances change - eg, being able to work, being more stable, or otherwise being ill and needing more help then they can change the rate you get and that sort of thing. it just depends, but what id advise is to photocopy the form after youve filled it in next time so that if you need to reapply again and your circumstances are the same then the form wont be such a headache! i know itd be easier not to have to reapply, but that might help!

Bleeding Angel · 31-12-2009, 08:07 PM

Basically they will give it to you for a certain amount of time before you have to reapply - to check that you are still in need of it. I think what the website means is because of a pd you can get it, but you still have to reapply for it to make sure you still need it.

I got mines for two years, then for three years.

startingagain · 31-12-2009, 08:23 PM

Thanks for that info. I wondered if it was because I work that they made that decision. Will leave it then.

Bleeding Angel · 31-12-2009, 08:45 PM

no, everyone will get a different time limit depending on your individual case.

xXMessedUpXx · 05-01-2010, 12:18 AM

i got my initial award for a year despite the BPD BUT i think they assessed it more on my depression than the BPD. Will see what they say when i am reassessed

sherlock holmes · 05-01-2010, 04:26 PM

I get DLA for BPD and it has to be re-assessed in a year's time.

Sleepless123 · 05-01-2010, 06:52 PM

i get DLA indefinitely now for my mental health problems [to summarise DLA i can potentially be a substantial threat to myself due to my MH and i agree with that] but am also registered blind with little sight and have had my sight problems from birth and that really isnt likely to improve [hence my care needs probably wont change much either].i have also been in and out of the mental health service since 1998/99.

i have received DLA since 16 for my sight and i am 26 now.At first i had to re-apply every couple of years too until a year or so ago.

With regards to DLA it doesnt matter if you work or not.i work part time now but wasnt previously before i was given DLA indefinitely and none of the time has it effected my claim either way.

Keep re-applying when you have too.i know its a nightmare but it can become slightly easier [though sill annoying with all the paperwork at times!] when you have done it a few times [if you feel you still need to ie obviously you are working to get better and it is not certain anyone myself included will have mental problems for life necessarily or even more so the extent this may be too.]

It may also be in your favour also that it is reviewed because as said above it does check you are still getting the correct rate etc.

There is help available from places like the Citizens Advice Bureau who can assist you with forms etc.It was them who helped me eventually get middle rate care which i was at first turned down for [luckily they reviewed this before appeal after a letter from mental health] and i had to fight for.

And it may well be worth using some of this help!And certainly keeping a copy of the form for future reference.

Good luck.

PS It is important to note that even if you were to be awarded DLA indefinitely you still must inform DLA of any change to your condition and/or care and mobility needs so you still would not really be done with it in that sense!

vetty · 05-01-2010, 08:29 PM

agreeing with ^^, i was once given dla indefinitely, after i told them about change of circs, they now make me reapply every year. i made the mistake of telling them that my physical condition and ability is only expected to get worse. it is really annoying, but i make sure i keep a copy of the form, so if things haven't changed, can just copy from one to the other.