DLA and letters from Doctors

jenzie06
jenzie06 Member Posts: 708
edited 14. Sep 2012, 11:00 in Living with Arthritis archive
Evening all.

My DLA has come up for renewal and I'm planning on asking as many medical people to write a letter to support me in my reapplication.

Planning to ring the rheumatology nurse tomorrow who said she would write a letter for me. But is there anything in particular I should be asking her to write?

I'm already fretting about it a lot.

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,980
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi jenzie

    of course you are fretting about it :( It has become such a batttle hasn't it to get these days that everyone fears getting it taken away :(

    Your plan is good. Just put it into action and take your time over the forms (get help if you can/want to CAB DIAL etc). Hopefully, knowing you have everything prepared and those T's and I's crossed and dotted, will help you to feel a bit calmer.

    Luck and love

    toni xxx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jen
    I just want to wish you good luck with it,please let us no how you go on, just one thing someone on here once said always keep a copy of what you write down for future reference..xxx
    Love
    Barbara
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Jenzie,
    As babara12 said keep a copy of absolutely everything you send them.
    Last Time I had a review my husband wrote a letter to the DLA letting them know from his point of view how life is for both of us, due to my significant limitations.
    Then my mum did as well, although I didn't know it at the time.
    They have to read and file anything they receive in your file and I have heard that it can make a big difference if they are dithering a bit.
    He also listed all the aids/useful things I have to help in everyday living.
    I have a great gp surgery and although I've not actually seen what they have written about me I've always got through it.
    The DLA also wrote to my surgeon about recent surgery that I had. He told me that there's 2 sides to this. They can say the surgery has made you better so you aren't so bad (can you imagine). He was very good and specifically said that the surgery was because of breakdown of arthritic bone but that fusing and joint replacement made very little difference to my mobility due to the severity of my condition. It was all about trying to keep the pain at a better level.
    Get as many medical reports as you can get hold of and list as many things you've tried, physio, accupuncture, surgery ,medications you've had etc; This shows it is an ongoing situation.
    It is a minefield but I have heard that after an initial panic at the DLA when they were turning nearly everyone down, they are now getting back to being sensible. Hope so.
    Good luck with your reapplication. Joy