Author Topic: DLA Update (Read 2515 times)

ianw314 · « **on:** Mar 03 2010, 02:07 PM »

Hi all'

I said would update you regarding my DLA application, well I filled the forms in myself approx 3 weeks ago and received a letter today from them telling me that they are now righting to my GP and that I will be informed about a decision on my request for DLA in due course.

What I would like to know is should I be a little upbeat that they are at least making contact with my GP or is this just normal practise.

You're replies will be very grateful

Ian

barbara · « **Reply #1 on:** Mar 03 2010, 04:53 PM »

Hi Ian,
It is good that they are asking questions and not just giving a rubber stamped' no'. It might be worth seeing your GP to let him know to expect the DLA letter and giving you a chance to prime him to what you need him to say.
They asked my GP how far I could walk and he put that it was indeterminate as vertigo could occur at anytime. For once he got it right and I was awarded High Mobility. That was before the labyrinthectomy of course.

Barbara

ianw314 · « **Reply #2 on:** Mar 03 2010, 05:36 PM »

Hi Barbara

I asked my GP her opinion about me applying for DLA before I sent off the forms and she agreed with me and said that as I have had to give up my work and take early retirement because of the condition and therefore sees no reason for not applying. Do you think I should still give her a call or would it be no surprise to her getting a letter from DLA regarding my claim.

Ian

barbara · « **Reply #3 on:** Mar 03 2010, 07:33 PM »

Hi Ian,
If you have already discussed this with her recently that may surfice. Many GP's are not really aware of how it affects everyday life and have been known to very unhelpful.
Barbara

ianw314 · « **Reply #4 on:** Mar 03 2010, 07:38 PM »

Hi Barbara

Thanks for you're reply on both of my posts

Ian

Frances · « **Reply #5 on:** Mar 03 2010, 08:18 PM »

Hi
When I was applying I gave my doctor a very detailed letter stating just how md affects my life. Doctors just don't realise how debilitating md can be. After reading it the doc was able to then reply correctly to the letter from the dla. I also told my consultant that I was applying and he was very supportive of my claim and actually wrote a letter supporting my claim which I enclosed with my application.
I was awarded middle rate care and lower rate mobility.
Good luck in your application.
Frances

ManiloonySally · « **Reply #6 on:** Mar 04 2010, 09:45 AM »

Hi Ian,

They sometimes don't even write to the GP so yes stay positive. I have had DLA for 18 months and am now bilateral, i was told to keep away from the oven by my GP because i fall, i fell last week in the bathroom and am black and blue all down oneside as i fell onto the side of the bath.. i had to re do my form as it was due for renewal, my GP wrote to them and i was awarded the same as Frances.. low rate mobility and middle rate care componant, so they didn't give me care componant the first time at all but they took notice of my condition worsening .. you should get it, so don't give up.

Sally x

ianw314 · « **Reply #7 on:** Mar 04 2010, 10:02 AM »

Hi Sally

I also have bilateral and have really been suffering the past few months with vertigo attacks nearly everyday. I will keep my fingers crossed but not to confident to being awarded anything as other members have said its not easy to get these days.

Ian

tibby · « **Reply #8 on:** Mar 05 2010, 10:14 AM »

Hi, I hate to put a downer on this, but i applied for DLA and got a "no".. They did write to my GP, and he wasnt very supportive. I appealed against the decision, and after another 11 weeks i got another no. I have an appointment with another consultant (balance specialist this time) to get my diagnosis, and i will reapply for DLA after i have seen him and ask for his backing this time and not my GP's. I couldnt appeal against the decision after the 2nd "no", as i only had a certain amount of time to reappeal again, and my consultant couldnt fit my appointment in in time, so im going to have to start the whole process again

I wish you luck with your application, and hope your GP is more supportive than mine was, its not all doom and gloom and many do get DLA, so keep your chin up!

barbara · « **Reply #9 on:** Mar 05 2010, 10:44 AM »

It is very important if you are turned down that you do go to Appeal. The original decisions are made by 'decision makers' who have reference to information about MD but little knowledge. Indeed it has come to the fore in the past when put on the spot by some applicants on here that they didn't even take reference from the available info.
The Appeal Panel are much more informed and copies of all paperwork including prior applications and the medical reports attached to them are sent to you. This allows you to challenge their reports via your own GP or Consultant.
My own consultant wrote me a Medical Report based to some extent on the misconceptions given by the examining doctor which was submitted under the heading of 'extra evidence'
At an oral appeal you are face to face with the panel which I know can be very stressful but this gives the opportunity to explain in your own way all the things that you cannot possibly put on a form which is aimed at more physical disability.
It is also useful to have other people with you. A rep. from CAB, two in fact, came with me as well as my daughter who came to ensure I travelled there OK and to ensure if I had problems someone knew what to do. This emphasises the need to have someone with you in places you do not know, a requirement for low mobility award.
It is important to think carefully about the differences in Low and High mobility awards as it is not a case of not being disabled enough for High mobility and therefore Low is awarded they have very different requirements and do not overlap. You might want to try for either but this requires evidence of need for both being shown.
Low care is based solely on your ability to cook a main meal. It is more about safety for us than the actual process of making a meal. Ovens and hobs have inherent dangers and even boiling kettles to make drinks is not without danger. Use of microwaves are discounted as not being 'normal cooking' so if you use one as your main method of cooking take pains to say so.
I know I have jumped a stage from the recent posts but it is important for all to know that many cases turned down on initial application do get awards at 'Appeal'

Barbara

ManiloonySally · « **Reply #10 on:** Mar 05 2010, 02:29 PM »

I just want to back up everything Barbara has said... you must fight it, you are entitled to it and it can be a hard process, but please don't give up.. i do have the backing of both my GP and Consultant which obviously helps, but as Barbara says, go to appeal if you get turned down and get CAB as she said also.. please don't give up

Sally x

Christina · « **Reply #11 on:** Mar 05 2010, 03:39 PM »

Just to add, if you can't get to CAB for any reason there is an online Benefits & Work website which I used to help with my application. You can download their really detailed guidelines. They tell you question by question what you need to include. There is a membership fee involved to let you download the guidelines but in my opinion it's well worth it and I'll be using it again this year when my award is up for renewal.

Chris x

ianw314 · « **Reply #12 on:** Mar 22 2010, 04:32 PM »

Hi All

I am pleased to say I received a letter from DWP today to inform me that I will receive lower rate mobility and mid rate care allowance, must admit I didn't hold out much hope of being awarded it so it was a very pleasent surprise. Although I did complete the forms on my own I did take on board eveyone's advice and assistance and must have done something right to be awarded the benefit

The application forms for DLA are very daunting 60 plus pages of info required, when I filled them in I explained how MD affected me on my worst days without telling any porkies I think

Although it may be only a combined total of £65 per week every penny helps to keep the wolves away from the door

Thanks again to ALL for you're advice and support, really appreciate it

Ian

barbara · « **Reply #13 on:** Mar 22 2010, 04:51 PM »

Hi Ian,
Well Done.
As you say £65 is £65 and it all helps.
Barbara

dizdog · « **Reply #14 on:** Mar 22 2010, 10:44 PM »

Well done Ian, great news!!! I sent my application off last week so will wait and see what happens.

Christina · « **Reply #15 on:** Mar 22 2010, 11:17 PM »

Glad to hear you got your DLA Ian. Every little helps!

Chris x

vinnie · « **Reply #16 on:** Apr 10 2010, 08:29 PM »

Hi all,
Last week I received a letter from DLA stating I have been awarded lowest rate care. No mobility allowance. Which really surprised me because I thought I would just get lowest mobility. I was going to appeal, but was told, I could lost the care component if I do. Does anyone know if this is true?

barbara · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 10 2010, 08:41 PM »

Hi Vinnie,
Yes it is true. It is a risk you have to take if you appeal. I was awarded low care and no mobility but appealed. They awarded low mobility for life and left the care order in place also for life.
Barbara

vinnie · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 10 2010, 08:58 PM »

Thanks Barbara, not sure whether to take the risk.

barbara · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 10 2010, 10:04 PM »

Hi Vinnie,
Have they said how long it is awarded for?
It may be worth waiting and then re-applying closer to the time.
Barbara

vinnie · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 11 2010, 08:01 PM »

Hi Barbara,
The award is up to 18.01.2013.

ianw314 · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 12 2010, 07:53 AM »

Quote from: dizdog on Mar 22 2010, 10:44 PM

Well done Ian, great news!!! I sent my application off last week so will wait and see what happens.

Thanks dizdog, I hope you are successful with you're application, sorry for not posting lately going through a bad spell at the moment

barbara · « **Reply #22 on:** Apr 12 2010, 08:19 AM »

Hi Vinnie,
It is always hard to know what to do in this situation. The award is for 3 years so a lot on money to lose if they took it away at appeal. Only you know how badly affected you are . If you would have been happy with low mobility and no care then from a financial point of view it would be the same. You can always wait and see how you are over the coming months and then if needs be reapply for more help rather than go to appeal.
Good Luck
Barbara

Author Topic: DLA Update (Read 2515 times)

barbara

barbara

ManiloonySally

barbara

ManiloonySally

barbara

barbara

barbara

barbara