DLA-DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi All,

Just wanted to share my experience of applying for DLA and the absolute BATTLE I have had!

After first addmision to hosp with current illness I was advised by the DR on being discharged to apply for DLA as he and I both knew I couldnt return to work and it would be a long time , if at all that I would return to my current role of employment. I worked as an ambulance driver/attendant.

Anyway, I left hosptial on August 21st 07 with a fair few problems which meant I met the criteria required to apply for DLA.

Moving on, I applied on the 5th Sept 07, got a decision back from them on the th Dec telling me NO! I wasnt awarded anything of either the Mobility or Care component!
Why.....apparently I DIDNT fit the criteria!

During this time I had another relapse and was in and out of hosp several times and in the Oct started having 'fits' and severe muscle spasms amongst other things!

So I appealed.....Got another letter in jan saying they had looked at my case again and once again was refused even though I had kept them updated throughout the time after leaving hosp of all the additional mobility problems etc. So once again I appealed and a tribunal hearing date was set which I attended yesterday.... I had to supply supporting evidence from my Gp, neuro physio therapist, occupational therapist, the social worker who set up my care plan and the Consultant Dr I see through the ambulace service at work, all detailing how bad my mobility is affected, and highliting my care needs. So off I tootled with David yesterdat and Oh My God what an ordeal....its was like an interrogation! They questioned EVERY answer I gave, I felt like they were trying to catch me out and when one of the panel was asking me why at times I cant get dresserd etc, and sometimes have days in bed...she looked at me like I was something she wiped off her shoes! I really felt like I had gone with a begging bowl asking for something I didnt need or deserve! Anyway the clerk had said you usually get your answer there and then, so after they had asked all their questions they simply siad you will recieve a decision in the post! So I was expecting something today but nothing so hopefully the postman will bring me some good news tomorrow!

It will simply mean that I wont have to stay in mon to fri and that I can start getting out to various classes for disabled folk and have a carer with me to be paid for by the DLA money......

I have worked all my adult life, have NEVER had to apply for benefits or financial assistance in the past and on this one occasion that I genuinely need it I have to virtually beg for it! So I suppose I will have to see what the posit bring tomorrow but wondered if anyone else has had similar problems!

Thanks for reading

Julia xxx

[Jill]

Hi Julia

I know they say DLA is getting harder to get but I have never heard of anyone being summoned to an interview like that about it before. Hope you get good news in the post tomorrow.

Did you know you may be entitled to direct payments? You get these by having an interview with social services who then decide how many hours a week help you need. Then they pay you the money and you employ a personal assistant for those hours to help you. You can also apply for one off payments for various things you want to do like college courses or club membership fees. The Centre for Independent Living website has info on getting direct payments.
They are also bringing in individual budgets which mean you get the amount social services would spend on your care and arrange it yourself. I don't think these are Nationwide yet though.

I am writing you about these benefits because Social Services can be quite secretive about them and don't exactly let people know they are entitled to have an assessment interview and apply. You have to ask rather than wait for them to offer.

Bye for Now
Jill

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi Jill thanks for that info its def something SS dont advertise isnt it! I have been awarded DP thankfully so I get help 2 hours a day......

Now for the Biggy....postman came this morning and I have been turned down for DLA!!

I cant believe it after all the supporting evidence I received from all the medical porfessionals I see regarding my illness and I have still had 2 fingers in my face yet I know as Im sure we all do people who actually walk, drive, go out socially and they get high rate care and mobility!

Its a crazy world we live in so I guess its back to the drawing board and start the process all over again!

Julia xx

[Jill]

Oh no how bad is that Julia

I have heard they are making DLA harder to get but not this hard! Does this mean you have to apply all over again now? Have they given you any reasonsfor turning down your application?

If you do need to start again it may be worth getting some official person like a solicitor from a Law Centre or social worker to fill in the forms for you.

What a song and dance they are leading you and what a hassle.

Just what you could do without isn't it.

Bye for Now
Jill

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi Jill, I have to write to them if I want reasons why they have turned me down!!!

Yeah I now have to start the application all over again so yes Im def getting help with filling in the forms this time and hopefully I might get somewhere this time!!!

Julia xx

[Azzami Bell]

You MUST write and get their 'reasons'. I was able to pull 'em apart, point by point!
Again, three years later, when torys tried cutting back on benefits the same thing happened. I lost all benefit claims and had to re-apply. Eight weeks later everything was back to where we started!

Obviously things have changed since then, and now Labour are having their go, but DO persevere, and be cautious of what you say.

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi azzami, thanks for your reply, I have written asking for their reason and ig f I can I will too do what I can to change the decision!
Thanks for your advice its much appreciated!

Julia xxx

[Mandy Lawrence]

Hi Julia

What I know of my own experiences and others, is that it is very hit and miss. There does not seem to be any proper assessment criteria..or more that the criteria is not administered fairly.

If it is any use to you I am happy to share that I have recently been re-assessed for DLA and got it, without any fuss, although the first time I applied they made me wait 3 months and kept sending letters saying they needed more evidence.

I only applied for DLA 2 years ago and that was because a MH adviser said I was entitled to it. I agree with Jill that those who work for the system do not provide adequate and appropriate information on what people are entitled to and then, normally, you have to jump through hoops to get any allowance.

I am not sure if you have anything like an independant Welfare Rights organisation in your area. There is one in Luton and they actually have a kind of surgery...drop in day...at a local community centre. Maybe, if you look on the internet for Welfare Rights in your area it might come up with the name of a local organisation. I don't know, am just chucking thoughts about here.

I am also willing to share here that a friend of mine who has a cronic mental illness recently had half their benefits cut. The DWP wrote and told them they had been overpaid and now had to pay back £3,000. I actually think they have a case for appeal as they were assessed as needing a certain amount of money to live on and they haven't been re-assessed.sincet that point. I think the DWP is not only acting illegally but bullying them. It is making them very ill and it shouldn't be allowed.

[WILMA (aka Julia)]

Hi Mandy,
Yes Im sure they must move the goal posts according to how they feel each day!!!

I have requested new application forms and will be going along to my local CAB as apparently they help you complete the forms the correct way so I will def being getting their help!

Thanks mandy xxx