I’m not. It must be true, the government and local authority have told me so…You see, I applied for disability living allowance. Because I’m disabled. And I’m living.
For the newer members I shall just state that on 17/10/08 I had a bit of an off in the Eltham Tunnel, smashed my right arm up - so badly that I had it amputated above the elbow. If you search the forums you can read the whole tale, in detail.
Anyway…back to disability living allowance. Henceforth I shall refer to it as DLA, because I can’t keep typing it all out. I’ve only got one hand and I don’t want to wear it out typing long titles of government handouts for spongers like me.
DLA comes in two parts. The mobility component, and the care component.
MOBILITY COMPONENT
I can no longer drive. I only have a left hand, and it’s a bit tricky changing gear on my 8 seater MPV with my left hand, when there’s nothing left to hold the wheel. I can’t ride a bike. I can however walk and that’s my first problem. You see the mobility component is all to do with mobility… so despite not being able to carry anything, or get myself out of a car without help, particularly if the car next door is parked close, like they do in supermarket car parks for instance - I’m not entitled to it… so no money from the government for that then. But really it’s not the money I’m bothered about.
I can’t get access to a scheme called motability - www.motability.co.uk - they contract hire vehicles to disabled persons, in exchange for some or all of your higher rate DLA mobility component. In exchange for your allowance you get a new car every 3 years, with maintenance & insurance included. They will also arrange for any modifications you’ll need - like a steering knob and someway of turning your indicators/lights/horns off whilst still having your one good hand on the wheel. I don’t qualify as I don’t get DLA mobility component.
It’s true that I can get these modifications done myself. They cost about £800. Plus fitting.
Insurance. Now here’s a good one. No mainstream company will quote for me - because I’m disabled. Remember the motobility scheme has insurance included…
There are specialist companies exploiting a hole in the market… however all the ones I’ve found so far only quote to people with a blue disabled badge…
Did I mention the blue badge bit yet? No? Oh good. Well blue badges are issued by your local authority. I’m not entitled to one. Because you need to get the higher rate of DLA mobility allowance to get one. Today I contacted my council to see if there are any other circumstances where I might get one. Good news there are… you need to be disabled in both arms and be totally incapable of turning the steering wheel in a car, even with a turning knob fitted.
So I can’t get a car, 'cause I can’t get insured, because I can’t get a blue badge or get a motability car, because I can walk.
Now onto the care component. I need help everyday, because I can’t wash everywhere, or dress myself, or cook my own food, or cut food up.
This is divided into 3 levels. Again I’m not entitled to the higher rate, because I don’t need someone watching over me all night to make sure I don’t stop breathing.
I may just creep into the middle rate, but that won’t last long, because as soon as I learn some new ways of doing things, I won’t be so reliant on my wife, so I’ll need less care.
I should apparently get the lower rate. Well that’s a relief then.
If I got the middle rate, then my wife would be eligible for a carers allowance.
However, we have 4 young kids. Wendy is currently on a career break until July 2009 when she was due to go back to work and earn over £30k a year. She can’t go back to work now. Because I can’t look after my kids, because I only have one arm, and I’m sure the social services would come down on me with a ton of bricks if something happened to my kids whilst I was left to supervise young kids whilst being unable to stop them getting into trouble…
Rant over… move along now - nothing to see here :Whistling: