DLA review

vikki75

Hi all,

I have just had my review for my DLA, I got the paperwork in november and I was due top see my consultant around the same time so I waited till I saw him b4 i filled it all in, anyway I never got to see him till late jan" after 4 appointments were cancled!, I had afeeling he was gona change my meds etc so thought it best they got the full picture.

Im now alot worst than I was 2yrs ago when I got my first award after a 7 month battle, I was so nervous they would let me have it again, thank god they have, which brings me round to a question for any of you that have been through the renewal forms etc.

I am alot worst now than I was before, I need alot of help when I go out, and im even needing more care during the night and day, I put all this in the paper work but they havent increased my award, is this because its a review?, and they dont increase the award on this paper work?, so do I need to get in touch with DLA for a change in my abilities, and night time care?, or have they read my form and desided that I dont need more care?, hope you get the jest of what im asking!!?.

Just to let other in the same boat and a bag of nerves about it all, once I started the paperwork it was quite easy, Id advice you to photo copy it when your done do you have your own copy for future reference, ( me been a plonker forgot to do this!) and my review award was sent back to me within about 3 weeks, Ive been awarded the middle care for 2yrs then I have to go through all this again!!! joy!!!.

So if you have any ideas on what I should do now, please let me know Id be very greatfull.

Keep well,
Vikki






:roll: :roll:

bubbles

Hi Vikki

I am glad for you that your award has been granted, albeit for a two year period. It is an uphill battle, as many people report on the forum, with the DLA panels. I have been asking for a change in care payments and am on my fourth review, with all the usual Drs and Consultants letters, increasing care needs. Not once have they sent me another claim pack to fill in, which the Welfare Rights officer is quite astonished by. It has always been down to me to write to them and explain in detail the changes.

They really base the award on the amount of time you need the care from another person, not always the actual illness or disability you have per say. If you add up all the times you need help, throughout the day and or night. You don't always have to require the care each time, but the fact that you need it is evidence enough.

If you are unable to prepare a main meal, ie, from scratch, not one that you pop into a microwave, then you will receive lower level care. If you would be a danger to yourself or others, ie at high risk of falls and require someone to be about most, if not all of the time, then that is another qaulifying reason. Other things like washing, dressing, toilet needs, social aspects, all of which are important in their decision making.

If you think their decision is wrong, you are quite within your rights to ask them, or write to them with a reason for your request for a further review. Include any Drs letters as well. I always write to them and keep copies. I have tried talking to them but that always seems to fall on very deaf ears. Your local welfare rights office and or carers organisation offer good advice and will support you through any appeals.

If all else fails, you can go to appeal, something I dread, but, will do if I have to. You go in person, before a review panel, of three people, who look at all the evidence and ask questions and usually make the decision while you wait. You can take a friend or carer, or welfare rights person with you to support you. You can ask for a hearing, where you are not present, but, I think it is better if you can actually go to the tribunal.

I will stop waffling on now. Take care
xx Bubbles.

livinglegend

bubbles wrote:

Not once have they sent me another claim pack to fill in, which the Welfare Rights officer is quite astonished by. It has always been down to me to write to them and explain in detail the changes. Bubbles.

If you submit a new Claim Pack then they have to cancel your original claim and start all over again with a new reference number. It is far less time and money consuming to just amend your original claim.

All your details are held on computer and they just amend the bits that you ask them to update, then you are reassessed on the information you have given. There is a legal requirement for YOU to notify any changes of circumstances good or bad, so all they require is a letter to amend your original claim. Why would you want to complete all the 59 pages of a new Claim Pack, giving everyone grief, when a single page letter will do exactly the same job?

Joseph 8)

bubbles

livinglegend wrote:

bubbles wrote:

Not once have they sent me another claim pack to fill in, which the Welfare Rights officer is quite astonished by. It has always been down to me to write to them and explain in detail the changes. Bubbles.

If you submit a new Claim Pack then they have to cancel your original claim and start all over again with a new reference number. It is far less time and money consuming to just amend your original claim.

All your details are held on computer and they just amend the bits that you ask them to update, then you are reassessed on the information you have given. There is a legal requirement for YOU to notify any changes of circumstances good or bad, so all they require is a letter to amend your original claim. Why would you want to complete all the 59 pages of a new Claim Pack, giving everyone grief, when a single page letter will do exactly the same job?

Joseph 8)

That's fine then, I will happily keep on writing to them, with supporting information. :oops:

livinglegend

bubbles wrote:

That's fine then, I will happily keep on writing to them, with supporting information. :oops:

DWP will soon be on the phone to you if they have any queries, as I know from experience. But I have always found them helpful.

Joseph 8)

frogmorton

Joseph's right you need to tell them.

They have merely reveiwed your award and that is that

Well done for getting it again at least but you will have to notify them of your cahnge in circumstances now too.

Love

Toni xx

GOOD LUCK

woodbon

Hello,
Congratulations! I'm really pleased for you, I hope that it makes a big difference.

Paperwork puts me off and I put the paperwork off! When I filled in the ESA form, I thought it would never end, and now I'm having to appeal. I dread brown envolopes.

I hope you give yourself a treat this week-end!
Love Sue

tkachev

Hi Vikki they have changed the guidelines.It is much harder to recieve an award nowadays.

If you appeal they look at the whole claim again and you can lose what has already been awarded.That is to put people off.On my first award I could not pull the bed covers over me or move any joint withour severe pain but did not get higher rate care as i had hoped.But i was advised not to appeal and I suppose they were right.
Elizabeth

bubbles

tkachev wrote:

Hi Vikki they have changed the guidelines.It is much harder to recieve an award nowadays.

If you appeal they look at the whole claim again and you can lose what has already been awarded.That is to put people off.On my first award I could not pull the bed covers over me or move any joint withour severe pain but did not get higher rate care as i had hoped.But i was advised not to appeal and I suppose they were right.
Elizabeth

Now I am am worried. They will be sick of me, with my requests for revision and Drs, Consultants letters, all landing on their desks. They do say "tell us of any changes", so I have done. Ah well, we will see.

suziev

your still alive pet
how you doing give me a PM
suzie x