DLA

seamonkey

Just been notified that i havent been awarded any DLA. Some of the reasons on the form are contradictory to what i put in application, ie No help at night needed. Well i need help to turn over get comfy get up to toilet and to get anything like a drink or meds from down stairs. I put that on form so why have they said i dont need any help? My OT are coming out tomorrow am to do a written assessment and the CAB are going to help me appeal. If CAB hadnt suggested to me the other week that i should appeal if i got turned down 1st time i would have just accepted the 1st decision. Its alot more stress than i could be doing with just now.
Its certainly not easy trying to get stuff sorted out when your unable to work and have a disability. Respect to all of you who have already gone through this.
Seamonkey

elainebadknee

Hi Seamonkey

I havent applied for DLA in fear that i would get refused as last year i got refused for ESA and appealed and won it but not till end of Sept 2010 and it started in march 2010.....
I dont know how they seem to manage to get decision wrong with all detailed info given......All i can say is that you have the support of your OT and CAB should be good....Bet youre glad you got informed to appeal if need be....
It will be stressful and not something you need but perhaps some things are worth fighting for to prove the pen pushers/box tickers wrong...

Good luck for future battles...

Elainex

seamonkey wrote:

Just been notified that i havent been awarded any DLA. Some of the reasons on the form are contradictory to what i put in application, ie No help at night needed. Well i need help to turn over get comfy get up to toilet and to get anything like a drink or meds from down stairs. I put that on form so why have they said i dont need any help? My OT are coming out tomorrow am to do a written assessment and the CAB are going to help me appeal. If CAB hadnt suggested to me the other week that i should appeal if i got turned down 1st time i would have just accepted the 1st decision. Its alot more stress than i could be doing with just now.
Its certainly not easy trying to get stuff sorted out when your unable to work and have a disability. Respect to all of you who have already gone through this.
Seamonkey

bubbles

oh Seamonkey, been through it, have t shirts, t towels, cups, and badges, all with DLA BATTLES written on them.
You have a month to appeal, either by telephoning them or in writing. Stating in no uncertain terms where they have not noted your needs ie, throughout the night. Write it all down and it is good that the OT and CAB are helping you.
Always keep copies of what you send to them, I also send a copy to my GP, even though they know you, they don't know of every need and aspect of your daily life, so often they have to tick "don't Know", when asked by the DLA for more evidence. Help with meal, can you cook a meal from scratch?
Help with getting about outdoors, your own safety and abilities, can you be left alone while a partner goes out to work?
I have had quite a few battles with them, so if you need any further help, just drop a pm. It is a battle that we have to win, dont let them get you down, they often refuse a first application and in these times of "economy", they are hot on new claims.
Take care
Bubbles

caterina57

Sorry Seamonkey that you have had this bad news and now have to start the appeal battle. I applied 2 years ago and was turned down - didn't appeal. I have just applied again on the advice of my GP and occy health advisor. This time I got help from Advice Centre to fill form in and she said to definately appeal if turned down.
Its wrong that they have not correctly assessed what you have told them.
Good Luck and keep us updated
Cath

julie47

hi seamonkey

I hope the assesment with ot goes well tomorrow and that cab can help you with your claim.

take care
juliepf x

tkachev

It depends on how much help you say you needed.It is possible you put, for example ,you need 10 mins help once a night and they might say that is not enough. But CAB should have known that and put for example you need 10 mins help 4 times a night etc.
Good luck Seamonkey,

Elizabeth

seamonkey

Thank you all for your replies,
I have CAB meeting on 30th so i will just have to see how it goes.
If im entitled to it then i will get it. ( in a better world )
seamonkey

dorcas

Good luck with this seamonkey!

Did you know that dwp have introduced a new 'self-assessment' for DLA on their website? It might be worth having a look to see what perameters they're applying. The notes with each question go into a lot of detail about what level of support etc meets the criteria so in themselves are worth a read.
Thought it might help you prepare for meeting up with CAB.

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/

best of luck on 30th

Iris xx

seamonkey

Iris,
thank you for your link to the web page, i will certainly have a look.
Wishing you well,
seamonkey

skezier

Hi Seamonky,

Its unfair and a very bad system cus they seem to give it to people who don't seem, at least on the surface,to deserve it and not to those that do. take the CAB's advice and help and so hope you will win the appeal. leaving you a cyber ((( ))) and a bucket of fight to help top up your own. Cris x

skinnylizzie

Hello Seamonkey,

I'm sorry to hear the DWP are being a pain. :roll:
I applied last year and got turned down, but appealed over the phone, and within a month they'd had the decision overturned. It's usually best to back it up in writing, and send it recorded delivery so there is no chance of it 'wandering'
I still only get the lowest rate for personal care, and none for mobility, but it all helps, and it's definitely worth appealing. What they bank on is people not bothering to appeal, and usually when you do, it will go to another decision maker. Hope you're successful this time, and it's good to have the CAB's help, sometimes they give it a bit more clout.
I was told to always put down my 'worst' day, and do it from that point of view. A lot of the time, it depends who is making the 'decision' and if they're having a 'bad' day or not, and they're not medically trained so they basically haven't got a clue for people with long term health conditions!

all the best with it!

alarkra

Hi Seamonkey,

I sorry to hear that you have been unlucky on this occasion. It's made me worry though as I applied a couple of weeks ago and they sent me a letter saying that they had written to my doctor to get a report... I hope that my doctor is fair in what they say so that I have a chance at getting it... only time will tell.

I hope that you have a successful appeal. It is clear that they have made an error in their judgement. I wish you the best of luck.

xx

seamonkey

Thank you all so much for your support it really means alot.
I will appeal and see where that gets me.
Having folks on here who have or are in the same situation and know how it feels is good. I dont know where i would be with out you all!
I will buy everyone a drink if my appeal is successful.
Good luck to those of you that are awaiting a decision and remember to take copies of what you send ( as I didnt )!
Seamonkey

frogmorton

Poor you Seamonkey

thses days I so worrry when people stop working due to their pain as the benfits system is so BAD!! The help just isn't there for epople they are turned down for ESA and DLA all the time when the clearly need it :x and DON'T need the stress

Makes me very cross.

you are brave and I am with you all the way with your appeal

Love

toni xx

seamonkey

Thank you Toni,
I dont feel at all brave as the decision not to work was taken out of my hands as doc refuses to let me back untill she thinks im fit! She knows i would carry on untill I drop and she worried what damage i would do. Shes right of course but as you know im not relying on getting any benefit and 4 kids dont come cheap, so i really had to be told!
The benefit system is beyond me, the questions for ESA were just stupid, Why would i be actively looking for work when im off sick and have 3 jobs to go back to? Aargh.
All the best Seamonkey

frogmorton

Exactly!!!

They put you off sick because you CAN'T work!! Not because you don't fancy it anymore!!

I know what you mean with kids - they dont stop needing feeding just because you are ill :sad:

Just please get yourself some good help with this Iris (Dorcas) got her MP on to her case. maybe you should try that?

I STILL think you are brave

Love

Toni xx

clairy

Hi Seamonkey,

DLA is a nightmare but worth the fight as for me it really does help me be much more independant.

Definately appeal. When i first applied i was declined this would have been about 7 years ago now. They gave me an awward after appeal for 3 years, when i had to renew that 4 years ago they again declined the application, and i had to take that to triburneral which i won and was awarded 4 years.

I've just renewed mine again and filled out the forms, this time they worte to my GP who provided a supportive medical report and they have awarded me my DLA indefinately. It's been a long haed struggle, but i really don't know what i would do with out it, as i'm only 23 it allows me to get tax credits so i don't need to work so many hours, and my motability car is a god send and has given me back my indpendance.

Keep fighting it and keep us posted on how you get on.

xxx

seamonkey

Thank you all again,
I can cetainly see how it is so beneficial to us, it would also mean that when im fit for work again i dont have to do as much as i would get tax credits which would mean i would be fit to do house and help kids etc.
I am keeping a diary of every time i need help with some thing, so far it is on average an hr and a half each day that i have to ask for help. To me thats quite a lot as i only ask for help when every other means has been tried! Yes i know im far too stubborn for my own good.
I will let you all know how appeal goes, thanks agian and i am saddened by the length of time and effort it takes for some of you to get what you are entitled to.
seamonkey

lavenderlady

I originally was awarded low rate care indefinatly for my spondelothesis in my back back in 95 and from then on my health declined in so many ways but i kept hoping I was going to get better so left it as it was , then my DR told me no matter what, I would never get any better and being on so much medication he told me to hold off on plans to go back to work after raising a family, I then notified them about the medication and different health problems inc OA and sero neg arthritis all amounted to me being awarded middle care and low mobility again indefinatly , they did phone me up asking about my mobility I was totally honest and listed all my medication and they made the decision on all of that, I am hoping they wont want to bother me with a medical as I do feel that all the problems should show that I do qualify indefinatly, I'm not getting better and never will, in fact my mobility has got worse since I re did the claim about 2 years ago but am happy with low mobility as I do believe high mobility should be for people with out limbs or use of them,
I do not claim the other benefit Esa as its certain I wont be able to go back to work much as i 'd like to on a good day, michelle

seamonkey

Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your reply and im so sorry you have had such problems, it must be awfull to be told you would not work after raising your family. I found it hard enough when my doc told me i wouldnt ever work full time.
I really feel i am entitled to something as my mobility is so bad and i have to rely on others so much. I didnt realise how bad untill i started to keep a diary, i will post copy to doc and put with my DLA appeal. If im not going to get any DLA or ESA then my doc or someone needs to get me well enough to work. Even for just couple of hours a day.
Hope today you are doing ok,
SEamonkey