another DLA question

vonski

Hi

Has anyone tried to get the living bit of this and lost some or all of their mobility allowance? The woman I spoke to about it told me if I tried to get more I might lose it all. Was this just a threat or could it really be true :shock:

Love
Vonski x

skezier

Hi Vonski,

I don't really know the answer but I think though it may have been a threat it could also be true now a days as they are trying so hard to stop paying out to people nothing would surprise me.

I wonder if you don't get someone who knows if their web site would help you or maybe the CAB?

Love

Cris x

vonski

Hi Cris

Thanks I think I will try at CAB or DIAL, just got to get someone to back me up again :roll:

Love
Vonski x

livinglegend

vonski wrote:

Hi

Has anyone tried to get the living bit of this and lost some or all of their mobility allowance? The woman I spoke to about it told me if I tried to get more I might lose it all. Was this just a threat or could it really be true :shock:

Love
Vonski x

To start, phone DLA in Blackpool on 08457 123456, Open 7:30am to 6:30pm on weekdays and ask for a form for a Reassessment of Needs. Explain that your circumstances have changed and why. The assessors have no medical knowledge and they do not know the implications of arthritis, so you have to put full details of how your difficulties directly affect you and what has changed from your present claim.

If you request DLA reassessment then you would be totally reassessed, this includes both of the allowances. So, both living and mobility are looked at again. They could leave things the same or adjust either or both up/down or cancel your claim. So you could lose all of your DLA or get more, it all depends on how you fill in the form.

More info: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816 and
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/handbook/Inflamatoryjointdisease.asp

Joseph 8)

vonski

Hi Joseph

Thanks for that info I didn't know about the re-assessment, I was being treated as a new claimant.

Love
Vonski x

eckstardeluxe

That's great info Joseph, you don't have a link for the Osteoarthritis one by any chance do you?


Edit - it's ok I've found it, but thanks Joseph. Very interesting.

Cheers

Eck

livinglegend

eckstardeluxe wrote:

That's great info Joseph, you don't have a link for the Osteoarthritis one by any chance do you?
Edit - it's ok I've found it, but thanks Joseph. Very interesting.
Cheers Eck

Presume it's the page at http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/handbook/osteoarthritis.asp for anyone else who wants info.

Joseph 8)

jeannie2

Hi Vonski,
My DLA was applied for by the PCT 5 years ago. My doctor said it should be increased. I went to this guy who is there to help filling in the forms. He warned me straight away that I could lose the whole lot and if that was the result then to go back to him. That was way back April ... I got a letter to say it will take 15 weeks ...my doctor is furious that nothing has materialised and wrote to the DWP. I got a letter this morning telling me they haven't considered it yet and, in a word ... .'Wait'. It's going to be the middle of August before I hear at this rate. Just thought I'd let you know.

eckstardeluxe

jeannie wrote:

Hi Vonski,
My DLA was applied for by the PCT 5 years ago. My doctor said it should be increased. I went to this guy who is there to help filling in the forms. He warned me straight away that I could lose the whole lot and if that was the result then to go back to him. That was way back April ... I got a letter to say it will take 15 weeks ...my doctor is furious that nothing has materialised and wrote to the DWP. I got a letter this morning telling me they haven't considered it yet and, in a word ... .'Wait'. It's going to be the middle of August before I hear at this rate. Just thought I'd let you know.

15 weeks seems a bit long. I know when I helped a friend a couple of months ago it was 11 weeks, maybe their timescales have changed, worth phoning to check what the current timescale is.

vonski

Hi Jeannie

Thanks for that, like Ecks has said 15 weeks is a long time to have to wait. I think the whole system stinks, I know people much more able than me that have both DLA at the higher rate. They should see us as people not statistics :roll:

Good luck with yours, let us know how you get on and I'll keep my fingers crossed for the right result.

Love
Vonski x

jeannie2

Hi Vonski,
Thanks for replying .... it helps to know people are there ...even if they can't physically do anything. I'm scared out of my wits with what's going on with me at the moment.

Got another (usual 3 pages) letter this morning, confirming that it is indeed 15 weeks and to please not contact them in the meantime unless it's an emergency. That probably means unless I have died because I can't get out to the shops to get food, or I've fallen flat on my face and snuffed it because there's nobody to pick me up!!!

You know, guys, I wish I'd never signed up for this b.......y disease but must admit I don't remember doing so. Wish I could dump it at the clinic for a week or so while I get on with my life. Reminds me of a song, years ago .... 'Here you are, hold my hurt for a while.' Wouldn't it be great!

Thanks, all of you, for being there!
Jeannie S

vonski

Hi Jeannie

Sorry only just seen your post, having been on for a few days. I know it's easy for me to say but please try not to worry. If things don't go as they should do go back to the man that helped you fill the forms out. I'm sure these jobsworths just try and put you off with their scare tactics and yes it does sometimes work, it did with me before.

If you don't hear after 15 days does that mean you can bombard them with phone calls Let me know how you get on, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Love
Vonski x

dean76

I applied for the first time on 24 March and still waiting for a decision about DLA Mobility. I rang the DLA 2 weeks ago and was put through to the 'actual decision maker' who will be giving my file a decision he told me they were working on files received the first week in March so would be another 2/3 weeks.

So that means I should hear by the 7 July ish at the latest.

Hope this timescale helps xxx

dean76

Has been 15 weeks now and I still havent had a decision. I rang the DLA last night (Tuesday) and was told it will be another few weeks at least. I cant believe it is taking so long.

janie68

Hi,

My DLA application took just over 4 months to be processed, and I got DLA so maybe the length of time you are having to wait is a good thing?? Sit tight, it is out of your control and pray in the meantime.

Hope its good news for you.

Janie

dean76

Thanks Janie, think Ive got the ears nagged off St Jude already. Hee heeee heeee. Alot of people tell me that it is a good sign. I do hope your right.

Love Dean xxx

dean76

Got a letter this afternoon to say they have written to my Consultant for a report. You all know what a waste of space he is; given his incompetence. My Consultant wrote to my GP and said all the procedures he has tried I say hasnt improved my pain. Erm hello! ....thats because they havent. Makes me sound like I want to be in pain. So I take it the decision will probably be a NO!!!!!!

Well thats when he actually gets round to writing the report.

Dean xxx

joyful164

Hi everyone

Minefield isn't it?

My DLA is due for re consideration in January 2010. I thought it was 2011.
Forms arrived this morning 10.7.09. So that is 6 months for them to work with them, writing to your consultant, your dr, all the other clinics you go to etc etc. They are very thorough. I got the full mobility quota last time and the lowest care element of £17. and was awarded it straight away. They are clamping down a lot now so take good care filling your form in

joyful

joyful164

When I first applied two years ago, it did take about 16 weeks, but rest assured, it will come through. If you are accepted it will be backdated to the time you applied.

I have just had my new forms to complete. It is middle July and my first lot of DLA runs out on the 1st Jan.2010, which makes it nearly 6 months. They have to make enquiries with your gp, consultant etc. so it does take time.

be patient

joyful

dean76

Thanks for the words of advice, very much appreciated and glad to know it is just routine.

xxx

vonski

Bumped up for brighteyes, hope it helps.

Vonski x

jeannie2

Hi Vonski,
I'm glad you 'bumped' this one up, 'cos I should have told you that I got my DLA two weeks ago. Probably because I really have a job using my hands now and my ankles are nigh on useless. I can get down the hall to othe loo and that's my lot. Didn't have to go back to that guy, but will be sending them a donation (they're a volunteer charity), so that it keeps them going and then they can help others. Am so glad I didn't have to go to a tribunal because I think I would have lost my cool and my mouth would have scuppered all my chances!!!

Do keep going with an application - getting DLA has helped me to get someone to physically help me and I feel a lot better mentally.

Haven't been around .. seem to constantly 'step on a rake' ... husband has prostate cancer and has just had a pacemaker fitted, I'm in and out of CT scanners like a fiddlers elbow and my ma, bless her (103 on sunday) decided she'd get shingles a few weeks ago, so I really haven't known which way I'm facing.


My very best wishes to all of you. Now perhaps I can catch up!

vonski

Hi Jeannie

So glad you got the DLA, 1 to us. Things don't sound too good for you at the minute, is it a flare or are things getting worse, either way I know how you feel.

I got rushed into hospital about 3 wks ago for yet another emergency op, think I'm coming round now though. I'm like you with the CT scans but it's for my insides and I hate that dye they put through your veins, I'm on red alert on their computer about the problems I've had with it.

Sorry to hear about your hubby, hope things start to improve for him soon, it's a very worrying time for you all. Your mum must be amazing 103 wow. I've heard shingles can be painful so hope that gets sorted soon.

Oh the talking over your head when your in the wheelchair, it's great :roll: Feel like saying I'm down here and my brain still works, most days anyway

Have you had anytime for yourself with all this going on? Even if it's only an hour please try and find time to rest it will help you a lot.

You take care

Love
Vonski x