Disability question

[Accy cyclist]

What will they do to help you with your work? Can the sight be improved? Can it help buy adapted equipment?

That's it, i don't know if they will or can help me, that's why i'm asking. What prompted me was me watching one of these life on benefits programs. One bloke said he was classed as disabled because he lost an eye in a fight. He said he was a former building site labourer but not now as it's too risky. I'm not after a life on benefits but maybe some financial help to compensate for me not being able to do the hours i've done in the past.

 

[midlife]

Hi Accy

Not sure I can help here but my employer will adapt the workplace and job profile so that full time work can continue. Losing an eye in a fight involves he CICA and lawyers so again can't help.

Good luck

Shaun

 

[User33236]

Sorry - but the advice from the RNIB is that you must inform DVLA. I think they're the experts on this.

Seems the RNIB are not the experts you think they should be

https://www.gov.uk/monocular-vision-and-driving

I have two friends with monocular vision. Both voluntarily contacted the DVLA. One got a 'thanks but we dont need to know' and the other was send for further checks down to his HGV licence So seems they are applying the above rules correctly.

 

[ufkacbln]

Some of the more bizarre rules is that an allowance can only be claimed below 65.

Decreased mobility after his age is natural, so you cannot claim, yet if you claimed before you reached 65 then you keep the payment

So two people with identical needs can be in the position where one gets an allowance and one doesn't simply because of the age they first applied

 

[User33236]

The gov.uk site does not contradict the RNIB site. You must tell DVLA about any medical condition which may affect your ability to drive.

I'd take the RNIB over some person on the internet's mates...

An optician will be able to give their professional opinion if an individual must contact the DVLA or not.

Provided they deem you to still meet minimum standards of vision there is no need to contact the DVLA therefore RNIB is wrong in stating you MUST.

 

[PaulSB]

One bloke said he was classed as disabled because he lost an eye in a fight.

Being classed as disabled is not a great help and I'm not even sure there is such a thing in relation to benefits.

My son has Downs, SLD and a severe hip problem. His benefits level is based on need to support him in life. I could go on a full scale rant here but won't!

I have an epilepsy diagnosis - a very lazy one by the consultant - and in some circumstances am classed as "disabled." This relates to car insurance, travel insurance etc. and means I cannot be discriminated against on health grounds. This is classification for protection not entitlement.

You're task is to establish your "need" for support which will determine your entitlement. It's all about qualification and matching criteria. If, for example, your condition can be proven to limit your capacity to work this might qualify you for support of some type.

Do not expect this to be easy. In 28 years of fighting for my son it has never been as bad as it is today. I'm not being political but this government has relentlessly imposed cuts on the disadvantaged for 6 years. Everything is getting harder and harder to maintain the status quo. Hitting those unable to fight and unlikely to vote is easy.

We used to joke the LA family file only contained one piece of paper which said "Don't mess with these people - they'll win."

It's true we did win, always. Today though it's very, very difficult. I'm even fighting for the reinstatement of Tom's blue badge. The renewal has been refused after 23 years. The badge costs nothing and you don't improve from SLD and Downs. Bastards!

 

[Levo-Lon]

My mother had one eye removed , she didn't receive any benefits and worked for the council..
good luck

 

[Bazzer]

I thought the purpose of benefits was to provide support to those who needed them; whether it be in respect of low income, additional costs incurred in day to day expenditure, housing adaptations, education, mobility etc? That is not to say that you might not need support, but can I suggest that unless you intend to apply for Income Support, or the decline in your vision is recent, if you have got this far in your working life, demonstrating you require support is going to be difficult.
Also if you are called for an assessment for a PIP, demonstrating the impact the lack of vision has on your life might also be difficult, bearing in mind some of your postings on here about your cycling activities and mileage.

 

[r04DiE]

I thought the purpose of benefits was to provide support to those who needed them; whether it be in respect of low income, additional costs incurred in day to day expenditure, housing adaptations, education, mobility etc? That is not to say that you might not need support, but can I suggest that unless you intend to apply for Income Support, or the decline in your vision is recent, if you have got this far in your working life, demonstrating you require support is going to be difficult.
Also if you are called for an assessment for a PIP, demonstrating the impact the lack of vision has on your life might also be difficult, bearing in mind some of your postings on here about your cycling activities and mileage.

With all due respect, what do you know of his difficulties? Furthermore, you should be celebrating the fact that he can go cycling, not berating the poor bloke for it.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Furthermore, you should be celebrating the fact that he can go cycling, not berating the poor bloke for it.

True, but he raises a valid point. This is a government that stripped benefits from paralympians because if they were fit enough to compete, they didn't need assistance.

It is a genuine challenge that is likely to be made.

 

[Bazzer]

With all due respect, what do you know of his difficulties? Furthermore, you should be celebrating the fact that he can go cycling, not berating the poor bloke for it.

I don't and as you haven't stated otherwise, I presume you do not either. I am merely trying to introduce a sense of realism. It is easy for doctors to say check with "social services" and give some glimmer of hope that there may be financial benefit arising from a particular condition. or to watch some TV programme which purports to show one thing, when not all of the facts are being provided. It is also easy to hear second hand, about people who seemingly benefit from the state for little or no obvious reason.
One of the earlier posters mentioned difficulties he has in relation to claims for his son. Let me give you another example. I have a friend whose heart is in such poor condition he is waiting for a heart transplant. His wife had a battle simply to get him a blue badge.

 

[r04DiE]

True, but he raises a valid point. This is a government that stripped benefits from paralympians because if they were fit enough to compete, they didn't need assistance.

It is a genuine challenge that is likely to be made.

I don't think that anybody can compare his cycling achievements to the achievements of paralympians. We're talking here about a normal bloke that goes cycling.

 

[r04DiE]

I don't and as you haven't stated otherwise, I presume you do not either.

That's correct, but then I'm not the one making judgements on whether his condition is worthy of benefits.

I am merely trying to introduce a sense of realism. It is easy for doctors to say check with "social services" and give some glimmer of hope that there may be financial benefit arising from a particular condition. or to watch some TV programme which purports to show one thing, when not all of the facts are being provided. It is also easy to hear second hand, about people who seemingly benefit from the state for little or no obvious reason.

I am sure that he's well aware that his claim may or may not be upheld. Talking like that is just going to make him feel like it's not worth it, or he doesn't deserve it, and you don't know that.

One of the earlier posters mentioned difficulties he has in relation to claims for his son. Let me give you another example. I have a friend whose heart is in such poor condition he is waiting for a heart transplant. His wife had a battle simply to get him a blue badge.

Yes, thanks for that, but I have experience of my own with the inadequacies of the benefits system that would make your hair curl. This is why I'm giving the bloke a bit of advice and encouragement.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I don't think that anybody can comparing his cycling achievements to the achievements of paralympians. We're talking here about a normal bloke that goes cycling.

I think you missed the point I was making.

 

[r04DiE]

What was it then?