DLA Appeal

annebr

I applied for DLA at the beginning of September, at first I was refused as I would be cured by March 2010. I queried this and was sent ot the wonderful ATOS for a medical, was refused again as they stated I could walk 250 metres with an aid and in pain and I did not need help washing or dressing. So at the beginning of December I started the appeal.

I requested copies of all the reports, I received my GPs and the consultants but not the ATOS, I hae now requested this 4 times and I still haven't received it. I telephoned again today and they told me the file had been requested and they would copy it and send it out. When I asked about the appeal they told me it takes at least 3 months! It goes to another 'Decision Maker' if they disagree with the original decision i will get an award if not all the info is copied and sent to a tribunal.

Must admit do not hold out much hope but I am determined to fight it.

Anne

chile168

Good for you Anne.

I fought and fought even ended at a tribunal which was absolutely terrifying as 4 people sat in front each taking turn in asking question and the clerk of course wrote everything down. Once all of them had fired questions, I was asked to sit outside while they discussed my case. I then went back in and was awarded low rate care and low rate mobility which I was very unhappy about but it was some sort of recognition of disability.

Few months later, I appealed the decision and got someone to help me and eventually was awarded High Rate.

I didn't give up and it paid off. WELL DONE FOR FIGHTING IT.

I like your determination

Good Luck hun and keep us posted. xxxxx

Eve

skezier

Hi Anne,

Its all wrong isn't it? 250meters is one hell of a distance and well none f it makes sense to me...... I just wish they would come up with a fair system but guess thats long gone? Sorry you are having the fight but good luck and keep us informed. Luv and a ((( ))) Cris x

lizzie7ne

Hi Anne,

Good luck with the appeal. From my ESA medical in july it took until the end of October to get the copy of the Atos healthcare medical report, despite my many phone calls for it to the DWP and Athos Health cares customer service department. .They told me the reason for the delay was my own fault! because i lived in a rural area and had been unable to attend one of Athos Health Cares regional centres - the nearest one to me is a 150 mile round trip. if I had attended the regional centre the medical report would have been put on computer by the doctor producing the report ,then it could have been easily accessed by the DWP who could have just printed off his report and send it to me. Because the doctor came to my local cottage hospital to run medicals that day for people in my rural area his report was handwritten. What happens is that after the DWP has made their decision they send the report back to ATHOS, who file it, when we make a request for the report the DWP has to ask ATHOS to send it back to the DWP who then photocopy it and send it to us. When I contacted the DWP several times for my report they kept putting in requests to ATOs but they were not sending them the report. All this should be simple but I think that A Athos are incompetant, and B, there are so many appeals they are snowed under with requests for reports.

For DLA if you can get your O.T. or physiotherapist to add their bit to the appeal it probably would be beneficial to you as these people are experts in how your arthritis affects your daily living.

lizzie

sharmaine

Hi Anne

You must continue to fight these people. Walking 250 metres with an aid and in pain....are these people sadists? Sufferers of arthur are in constant pain.

Fight on!
Sharmaine

annebr wrote:

I applied for DLA at the beginning of September, at first I was refused as I would be cured by March 2010. I queried this and was sent ot the wonderful ATOS for a medical, was refused again as they stated I could walk 250 metres with an aid and in pain and I did not need help washing or dressing. So at the beginning of December I started the appeal.

I requested copies of all the reports, I received my GPs and the consultants but not the ATOS, I hae now requested this 4 times and I still haven't received it. I telephoned again today and they told me the file had been requested and they would copy it and send it out. When I asked about the appeal they told me it takes at least 3 months! It goes to another 'Decision Maker' if they disagree with the original decision i will get an award if not all the info is copied and sent to a tribunal.

Must admit do not hold out much hope but I am determined to fight it.

Anne