Medical for Incapacity Benefit next week

[josephine]

I have a medical for Incapacity benefit next week and would like some advice.
I did not receive any forms to fill in with regards incapacity benefit, though i would of received back to work questionaire, not to sure of what its called. Should i have received this before i was called in for a medical or not.

Would also like to know if the exempt rule for neuro immune conditions still applyed or not, any advice would be great.

I received 15 points on my last medical two years ago and i have just won a appeal for DLA.

I have fibromyalgia but have just been dx with two trapped nerves in neck which has caused severe numbness in the body and this has caused me problems with walking and toilet needs as i have no sensation, been referred for physio and clinic to address problems with incontience, should i send this information in to them, also should i inform dla that my needs have changed and that i have more problems with doing daily activies as i was given low rate personnal care and mobility when i won my appeal.

I have a appointment at the eye hospital as have major problems with eyes also, blurred vision, flashing lights, scar behind left eye centre vision, was given glasses not eyes not focusing.

Pleses any advice would be great, also was told that i can record the medical for my own personal use, which i plan to do as had problems before with them putting opposite answer to what i had given, also was told allowed to ask them if i can read what they have wrote down in medical report at end, as they ask you to sign form at end, is this correct or not.

Any advice would be great and should i get a benefits advisor to attend or not.

[susie]

Hi Josephine,

IF your needs have chnaged then you can ask DLA to look at your claim again. my understanding of the system is that anytime you get them to look at an award again theret si always a chance that you could lose what you have but a small chance at that. In my own experience i asked for the form to look at my needs again but I found the form to be quite inadequate in terms of space to provide a full and detailed account of my needs so I submitted many additional pages together with medical evidence. I had a successful application.

A good benefit advisor may be a good idea but if you are going to have one then i suggest that you are very open with them about all your needs and difficulties however difficult and embarrasing soome of them might be to talk about.

Sorry I cant help with the incapacity component of your question.

Good luck.



,

[reddee]

What rate of DLA have you been awarded?? People receiving HRC are exempt from the Personal Capability Assessment.

Think about your answers ie a simple question from the examining doctor like do you watch TV could have a totally different meaning. ... if you are able to watch TV and follow a TV then you must be fine to sit and not be in pain.

Also be aware that your medical may start from the minute you enter the building as the examining doctor may be watching you.

You can if you wish take notes in to the medical to remind you of the things you wish the doctor to know, things such as what you need help with who gives you the help ect

How are you traveling to the medical? as this can affect the outcome of it.

Make you tell the doctor about all your medical problems and what treatment you are receiving, also take along a list of any medicines you are taking.

You don’t normally take a benefits advisor along to a medical but you can take a friend/carer/husband ect along with you for support.


Dee

[susie]

Josephine,

My suggestion re the benefits advisor was relating to you having your DLA claim looked at again.

[Cathycat]

And a very important one to remember is repetition- if you are able to complete a task it doesn't mean that you could do it repeatedly. If you can't repeat the action tell them why- if it's fatigue, pain, discomfort etc.
Did you need help with completing the IB50 due to poor concentration, fatigue etc? If so tell the doctor.
I've had a few incapacity medicals - I agree with the point about how you travel to the appointment- I've been asked that every time I've had a medical. I also agree with how you enter the building - incredibly at my last incapacity medical the doctor actually walked backwards down the corridor watching my feet!!!
The doctor asked me directly "Have you EVER worked?" "Why can't you work?" - (he actually looked disappointed when I told him yes I had previously worked for several years- I did enjoy that bit!!)
Remember to take your medicines with you-the doctors I saw wanted to actually see them. If you get any side-effects then tell them. I also told them about the medicines they'd tried me on and had to stop- plus the reasons why.
Think about your clothing- why I say that is if you have swelling of joints or wasting of muscles- then try to have clothing that enables you to show the doctor that. eg -I have wasting of my leg muscles so I wore leggings - he could see the wasting clearly plus my swollen ankles.
The doctor always asked me to describe a typical day - that's something to think about before your medical- include periods of rest and so on.
I've always been asked when I first became ill, who diagnosed me etc - I know they may have it in front of them but they still ask! I also took appointment letters with me to show I genuinely had the appointments - and he did ask to see the letters!!!!
I know it's nerve wracking but remember you are ill - just try and get your facts across to the doctor along with anything that backs your comments up. I felt it was more like preparing for a court case but we got there in the end!
Stay strong!!!

[bluey]

Josephine hope all goes well next week. Cathycat thank you for your helpful post

[AlisonB]

at an incapacity /ESA medical you do not sign the medixcal report. But presently the DWP have an interim policy pending an executive decision in future, whereby a claimant can request a tape recording and it will be done by the DWP with a copy retained by them and one provided to the claimant. I gather that recording is ultimatelty needing the permission of the doctor but it does seem that a few people have been allowed the recording to be done. However, if you dont choose to try for a recording, a companion can attend with you and take notes.

Whatever you do, try not to go to the medical alone if your problems are mental health related. It will be construed as a positive sign in relation to social functioning and likely they would regard any mental ill health as low grade if you can attend such stressful and often strange places alone...

[charliesgranny]

Hope all goes well for you

[AlisonB]

http://www.ceimh.bham.ac.uk/tv/benefits.shtml This may help you prepare for the medical appointment

[ukbix]

at an incapacity /ESA medical you do not sign the medixcal report. But presently the DWP have an interim policy pending an executive decision in future, whereby a claimant can request a tape recording and it will be done by the DWP with a copy retained by them and one provided to the claimant. I gather that recording is ultimatelty needing the permission of the doctor but it does seem that a few people have been allowed the recording to be done. However, if you dont choose to try for a recording, a companion can attend with you and take notes.

Whatever you do, try not to go to the medical alone if your problems are mental health related. It will be construed as a positive sign in relation to social functioning and likely they would regard any mental ill health as low grade if you can attend such stressful and often strange places alone...

I find it ludicrous that the seem to downgrade mental health problems if you attend an assessment alone.

I would like to know what medical evidence supports that theory.

Especially - as there is NO CHOICE in the matter - ie it is mandatory that you attend.