DLA and ME

Hi. I have ME/CFS. Am applying for DLA, first claim, although have had ME for years. Always just found it too difficult to apply. My form needs to be posted by the end of this week, to be there by 6th. Have had some help with it, but wondering if anyone has any experience of applying for DLA and having ME, especially with regard to the variability of the condition. Thanks

Hi,

If you type ME/CFS in the 'Search Forum' box at the right hand side top of the page, then click on go, you will find over 180 hits from moderators and members on their experiences.

Hope this helps.

Pat

Hi

I have CFS/ME/Fibromyalgia and have been awarded the lower rate of mobility allowance as I need guiding or supervising when walking outside (I have panic and anxiety attacks and also because I tire very quickly I need someone to help me). I was also awarded the lower rate of care allowance as I need help to prepare a cooked main meal for one (I'm sure you know the feeling, you are too tired and have no interest in eating) but when I have tried I've put a meal on and then fallen asleep, forget it's on. I have set the grill on fire, burned a pan etc I am too tired to keep on checking what I'm cooking. I'm sure this is the same for most people with these complaints. I have had DLA for three years on this basis. As for the varibility of the conditions I no longer use 'good' and 'bad' days because they assume on 'good' days you are having a 'normal' day. We know a good day for us is probably still a bad day for people with no illnesses. Use on a 'better' day rather then a good day. You need to concentrate on the days when you need the most help and use more decriptive words i.e I feel too tired too walk. Use something like, my legs felt like lead weights! Not sure if this is of any use to you. Good luck with your claim.

I was awarded High Rate Mobility and Low Rate Care at appeal 2 weeks ago after I was turned down.

From posts on this forum there have been a few successful DLA applications and appeals for ME/CFS this month but it all comes down to the individual and how the illness affects you.

Good luck with your application, you've come to the best place and follow all the advice you can from the members guides.

Thank you for your replies. My main problem is tiredness, so no energy to walk or to cook a meal etc. I get confused because some say describe your worst day, but this site recommends not to. So I was going to describe my worst days and say sometimes I can do 'a little more' on a 'better' day, but to describe it properly.

Hi, I tried that yesterday, but not many of them seemde very specific to ME. Maybe it's better to 'search title' ?