Thousands of Anxiety and Panic Attack Sufferers Missing Out On UK Disability Benefits by: Ali Sinclair

Thousands of Anxiety and Panic Attack sufferers miss out on Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance in the United Kingdom every year. Why? Because many are not aware that they are eligible and so simply do not apply.

Disability Benefits are not means tested and are not affected by savings. Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance are awarded based on the applicants need.

Anxiety and Panic Attack sufferers aged 16 to 65 should claim Disability Living Allowance if their condition is such that they require help from another person with personal care and/or getting around.

Disability Living Allowance comprises two components, the care component and the mobility component, the applicant must have needed the support for a minimum of three months.

If Anxiety or Panic Attacks inhibit a persons mobility to the extent where they are unable to go out without the support of another person, because they may Panic, run off into the Road, or need support and encouragement, then they may be eligible for the Lower Rate of the Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.

To qualify, the applicant must satisfy the disability condition for the lower rate mobility, the applicant must be ‘so severely disabled physically or mentally’, that they cannot walk outdoors ‘without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time’.

If the sufferer needs support and encouragement from another person to manage their personal care, such as reminding to have a wash, help washing and bathing, reminding to take medication, help choosing clothes and getting dressed, support when having an Anxiety or Panic Attack, then they may be eligible for the care component of Disability Living Allowance.

The lower rate care component may be awarded if ‘you are so severely disabled physically or mentally that you cannot prepare a meal for yourself if you have the ingredients’ or ‘you are so severely disabled physically or mentally that you require in connection with your bodily functions, attention from another person for a significant portion of the day, whether during a single period or a number of periods’.

To qualify for the middle rate care component, the sufferer must require ‘continual supervision throughout the day in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others’, or require similar supervision throughout the night. The higher rate may be awarded if the sufferer requires supervision both day and night.

Anxiety or Panic Attack sufferers aged 65 or over, should apply for Attendance Allowance, and should have needed support from another person for a minimum of six months. There is no mobility component for Attendance Allowance, and only two rates of the care component. To qualify for the lower rate care component, the claimant must require ‘continual supervision throughout the day or night in order to avoid substantial danger to yourself or others’, to qualify for the higher rate, the claimant must require this supervision both day and night.

If Anxiety or Panic Attack suffers are not sure if they are eligible, the Disability Benefits helpline can advise. If in doubt, claim! It is advisable to seek the help of a Welfare Rights organization when completing the claim form, as they will be familiar with the qualifying rules, and can gather the right information for a successful claim.

Millions of pounds of Disability Benefits go unclaimed every year in the UK, if you meet the qualifying rules, its your right, claim it for the help you need to manage Anxiety and Panic Attacks.

Disability Benefit Rates April 2005 to April 2006

Attendance Allowance £ weekly

Lower Rate 40. 55

Higher Rate 60. 60

Disability Living Allowance

Mobility Component

Lower Rate 16. 05

Higher Rate 42. 30

Care Component

Lower Rate 16. 05

Middle Rate 40. 55

Higher Rate 60. 60

Author:
Ali Sinclair

About the Author:
Ali Sinclair is an accredited Welfare Officer (Institute of Welfare Officers), and is currently studying Social Care. Ali works in local government, her work involves advising on Welfare Benefits and Disability Benefits. Ali can be contacted at webmaster(at)attakkpanic.co.uk or go to her website for more information about Anxiety and Panic Attacks at www.attakkpanic.co.uk.