Claiming DLA or DSA for BPD

[everylastbit]

Just been diagnosed with BPD...which is kind of a relief cos i've been fighting to get a proper assessment for mental illness for years. It's also a bit of a shock...medics seem to have no problem telling me that it's an incurable illness.

Anyway, I'm having a lot of financial trouble now i'v come back up to uni so soon to be in a lot more stress with debt. One of the things i want to access is someone local to me who is a specialist in PD counselling cos i just want to sort myself out and take steps to getting on with my life.

I read on a post somewhere that you could claim disability living allowance if you had BPD. I'm a student so it's Disabled Students Allowance. My question is...what criteria would i have to meet and how would i go about doing it? i'm aware that i have extra expenses compared to other students cos of health, like prescriptions and travel to appointments and stuff but would this count?

Thanks

[Ami]

Ive just filled out a dla form.

Basically it asks lots of questions and how much care you need/whether you need encouraging/rieminding to take meds/wash/cook etc.

You can get a form from your local job center.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Disabled...rt/DG_10011731

[everylastbit]

so if i say that i don't really need help all the time but rather need talking therapy and stuff like that sooner than later, do i have a case?

i don't really know what to say.

[whirlpools]

it might not be a "curable" illness, since our personality's a fundamental part of who we are... but it is treatable, and can be successfully treated if the patient shows some willing. some of the symptoms go away too - with work or just with age.

i have no idea about DSA, but i claim DLA for BPD and have done for about two years. there are no specific criteria, but you would need to ring up the benefits people (not sure what the number is, look on the jobcentreplus website) or pop into your local Jobcentre. they will send you a form to fill in. the form is very long (though i've heard they've changed it or were going to change it, so it was better, not sure if that's been done yet) but try not to be put off. if you feel able to do it in one fell swoop, that might be good, otherwise just fill it in in sections. the form asks you lots of questions about your day-to-day living and about your disability, as well as about what your treatment is. the more information you can give, the better. and what everyone says, the professionals, social workers, even the Jobcentre i think, is fill it in as though it is your worst day. once you've finished (and it's helpful to get a letter from a professional who works with you and/or someone else who knows you, or a CPA or something, but you don't have to) just send it off and they will make a decision - that can take a while but if they decide to pay you they backdate the payment to when you received your form.

DLA (not sure if DSA is the same) is awarded for Care and Mobility. people with mental health problems exclusively usually get paid for the Care component (though it is possible to get a low-rate of Mobility payment for MH problems too). each of these two components are paid in three amounts - low rate, middle rate and high rate. they will decide from the information they receive which you're entitled to.

i hope i haven't rambled too much and confused you!

[sherlock holmes]

I'm on DLA for my BPD. As whirlpools said, you need to fill it out as if it's your worst day. So for example, if your anxiety is bad then you will need help getting around outside, or if you self harm then you will need to be watched at night for your safety etc etc.

It really is helpful to get someone to fill the form out with you as it's long/complicated. And you have to have proof of your disability too, someone like your doctor or key worker will need to sign something to say the information is accurate.

I'm awarded for both care and mobility, although not as much for mobility.

[Tig]

I am also awarded for care & mobility, and have BPD.

I hope you get the support you need sweetie :)

[surprising mystery]

Basically, what I wrote on my DLA application is the worst day,, then explained in the extra space at the back that since my ability to cope is so variable, I cannot plan to do more than what I am able to do on a bad day.

I am also in the process of applying for DSA,,(disabled students allowance) you print off the form from online, fill it in, get a diagnostic report from a dr or psych then approach (I think its the county council education offices) whoever your college/uni say, and they will refer you for an independant assessment of your needs, basically what they can offer you.

Good luck honey xx

[everylastbit]

not sure about the mobility thing. potentially if i had been given access to them, i could use the help of an occupational therapist for getting over my anxiety and things like that. and, yeah, if i SI or think of suicide, i could need to be watched or whatever.

this is beginning to make sense, thanks

[Heidi Tiger]

You're definately eligible for DLA for BPD. DSA is a bit different as it is funding specifically for costs incurred to you as a result on studying with a disability. Your uni should have advisors who will help you find out if you are eligible. Basically for DSA you have to have an assessment, they decide what you are entitled to and will either then provide it or you buy it send then the receipts and they reimburse you. It's not like DLA in that it can only be used for specific things.

[Bitter_Angel]

Does BPD mean you claim DSA? In short NO. BPD does not entitle you to DLA. However, if BPD greatly affects you then yes you can. For example, if you are unsafe at night and need to be watched then you are entitiled to the care component and so on.

As for DSA that is completely different to DLA. DSA is there to help with non medical help you need on the course. So no it wouldnt pay for your prescriptions or transport. It does however entitle you to an assement of your needs. If they find you need something that "normal" students wouldnt in order to complete the course, for example a note taker or a computer, then they will fund that.

[everylastbit]

OK thanks. It sounds as if DSA wouldn't really do anything for me as I don't need specific equipment. But am I still able to claim DLA if i'm a student?

Sorry if i'm asking a load of stupid questions!

[Bleeding Angel]

Yes.

And i wouldnt pass on the student allowence either, i mean i got a laptop, printer, software, internet costs, books, printing credit, ect.

[whirlpools]

^ awesome!