Sitting Disability post failed spinal surgeries

My hubby has had a number of spinal surgeries, in fact his leg was paralyzed for two years after his last major surgery. He has never claimed DLA but I am encouraging him to do so as he cannot sit at all and has problems standing for more than a couple of minutes. He is taking strong painkillers used for terminal patients as his pain is so severe. He cannot sleep properly because of pain and I am caring for him day and night (I'm not complaining). He has a wonderful doctor who gives him painkilling injections when his pain is so severe that he feels like dying. The specialists have said that there is nothing further they can do for him surgically as his spine has been surgically assaulted to the point where they would be afraid to carry out any further surgery.
However, looking at the DLA forms there is no mention of being unable to sit.
Has anyone else had this problem.

Hi Carole,

Bear in mind that DLA, unlike ESA and incapacity benefit, isn't a test of how long you can or can't do something. It's about attention - or supervision - it would be reasonable for you to receive in connection with bodily functions.

So, being unable to sit would not necessarily, in itself, be relevant. But if your husband would benefit from help with things like using the lavatory because of problems with sitting then that would be relevant.

Not being able to sit might also mean he needs help with things like bathing, dressing, getting on and off sofas if he has to lie on them and so on.

But you would know best about all the help your husband gets or would benefit from because of his condition.

Good luck,

Steve