TRIBUNALS!

sarahchall

Hello - just wondering if anyone who has been turned down on appeal for the higher rate attendance allowance has been accepted at the tribunal hearing itself? My pain is far far worse at night - when I go to turn over the pain always wakes me up and it's so hard to even turn over. Takes forever. Then I need the loo. I've got no one to help me and sometimes I can't quite make it - but not often thank goodness. My GP kindly wrote a letter saying my condition had got a lot worse since I was last assessed and that I'd been referred to the pain clinic as none of the strong analgesics even took the edge off the pain. But the appeal board have rejected my application..... I am determined to go before the tribunal as most nights I am in such pain I could cry. I get really angry as only I know just how bad this on-going pain is. They can't feel my pain. But they turn me down. Has anyone actually been approved by the tribunal or am I looking at the higher rate through rose coloured spectacles? I'm 67 nearly and have lumber osteo-arthritis and the pain is in my left hip, all round my left thigh and down that leg. There's nothing wrong with my hip itself - just get the pain there so badly and can't walk on that foot very easily without pain. Going up slopes is agony. Anyway thank you for any advice...

kathbee

HI Sarah

Sorry to hear you have so much pain.

I have a lot of back problems along with Osteo Arthritis
and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and a vague diagnosis of Fybromalgia. Know what you mean about
walking up a slope, and turning in bed etc.

I did appeal against a DLA decision about 8 years ago I think
it was and had to go to a tribunal but I'm glad to say the
outcome was a good one for me.

It does sound like you are entitled to help what with your
night problems and also walking problems.

Just wondered - did you get any help with the form filling ?
Because I had help with my form from the Citizens Advice
Bureau. And the Welfare Rights Officer there helped me
a lot and understood my problems and actually took
me to the tribunal on the day, and was very supportive.

Unfortunately so many people have a hard time with the
form filling and getting their entitlement, so I can only say
dont give up, keep trying, but maybe go for some professional
advice and fingers crossed you may be succesful.

You are welcome to send me a Private Message if there
is anything in particular you would like to know or want
advice about.

Let us know the outcome.

Best Wishes
Kath

sarahchall

kathbee wrote:

HI Sarah

Sorry to hear you have so much pain.

I have a lot of back problems along with Osteo Arthritis
and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and a vague diagnosis of Fybromalgia. Know what you mean about
walking up a slope, and turning in bed etc.

I did appeal against a DLA decision about 8 years ago I think
it was and had to go to a tribunal but I'm glad to say the
outcome was a good one for me.

It does sound like you are entitled to help what with your
night problems and also walking problems.

Just wondered - did you get any help with the form filling ?
Because I had help with my form from the Citizens Advice
Bureau. And the Welfare Rights Officer there helped me
a lot and understood my problems and actually took
me to the tribunal on the day, and was very supportive.

Unfortunately so many people have a hard time with the
form filling and getting their entitlement, so I can only say
dont give up, keep trying, but maybe go for some professional
advice and fingers crossed you may be succesful.

You are welcome to send me a Private Message if there
is anything in particular you would like to know or want
advice about.

Let us know the outcome.Hi, thank you for writing to me. I am getting allowance for daytime but the opinion of the DWP is that I'm not in sufficient need of PROLONGED help at night time. Once I'm awake I'm ALWAYS in pain and the pain is so bad I cant turn easily or, more importantly, I can't get to turn and sit up quickly enough to get off the bed and to the toilet. I've taken analgesics well before I've dropped off to sleep in the hope they would kick in and stop the pain, but they don't touch it - just space me out for the next day as well. Age concern helped me fill in the form for daytime help and I got it but I applied immediately I got it by myself as my night time pain had got so bad. Even my GP wrote and said as much but the body at the DWP still maintained that my need wasn't sufficient for help throughout the night. It's very disheartening as while I'm awake in so much pain they are all asleep without any at all I rather suspect! Anyway I'm waiting for the Tribunal hearing now to see what they think. Fingers crossed but I'm a tad despondant....

Best Wishes
Kath

kathbee

HI Sarah

I got your PM - thank you,

I have sent you a private message, hope
you are feeling a bit better today.

Kath