DLA renewal time

cifpower · 13 March 2009 at 4:34PM

Woke up this morning to find a pack in an envelope titled "On Her Majesty's Service" which threw me a little as I wasn't expecting anything governmental. I opened it to find a DLA renewal form as my claim ends at the beginning of September.

Has the pack changed? It is massive! Over 60 questions some of which are repeats. There were a few questions at the top of a page which were repeated in their entirety at the bottom of the page. Very odd. I spent over an hour filling it in and even then I wasn't sure I completed it fully enough.

The mobility element was easy enough to fill in - when I am in a strange area or where there are a lot of people and I am on my own I am prone to panic and anxiety attacks. The care element was a different kettle of fish. There were so many different parts to it (a lot more than when I originally claimed) and some were impossible to fill in!

When I am manic I have a tendancy to be frivolous with money and miss taking my medication and any appointments I may have. The latter part is covered in the "tick boxes" but it asks for how many times a week I need help with this and for how many minutes! It is impossible to fill this in!

When I am depressed I can sleep for up to 15 hours a day, need motivation to get up, have a shower, make a meal, change my clothes or move from my chair if I am downstairs. Again, however, it asks for how many times a week I need this help and for how many minutes! I can hardly say I need motivation to make a meal twice a week and this motivation lasts 2 minutes a time.

I suppose what I am saying is the questions need to be refined and easier to answer. It is as if they are deliberately trying to put the claimant off! Maybe I am just being cynical.

Another 3 month (at least) wait to see if my renewal is allowed.

[Deleted User] · 13 March 2009 at 5:45PM

I usually allow at least 3 hours to fill in the forms,its often confusing when they appear to ask the same question twice.As long as you have answered honestly and in as much detail as possible then you should be ok
It can be a good idea to photo-copy at least the main parts of the form for future reference,and in case of an appeal situation.Can also be a good idea to return them by registered post.
good luck

Trazy · 13 March 2009 at 7:14PM

Dont hesitate in sending it back just because your claim isn't renewable until September.
My claim was renewable in May this year, I received and sent my forms back before Christmas 2008. I was awarded a higher rate of DLA and my award was payable from the date they received the forms.
Trace

cifpower · 13 March 2009 at 7:21PM

I sent my forms back today and they should receive them by Monday. My main gripe is the inaccessability of the form - the questions are repetitive and if you suffer from something that is not given a tick-box it is very hard to figure out where to put it. I am just worried that they are deliberately awkward to put people off.

Trazy · 13 March 2009 at 7:51PM

I know what you mean. I too suffer from depression and mental health problems and found it extremely difficult to express the problems encountered.
Good luck with your claim
Trace

Blackpool_Saver · 13 March 2009 at 11:55PM

I have found filling my sons in this time a living hell, what with being so ill caring for him myself and the fact his renewal form has changed from child to adult version, the whole thing has nearly put me out.............

Valley's_girl · 14 March 2009 at 12:00PM

woodbine wrote: »

It can be a good idea to photo-copy at least the main parts of the form for future reference,and in case of an appeal situation.Can also be a good idea to return them by registered post.

I also do this.
Best wishes
Ally

cifpower · 25 March 2009 at 10:41PM

Just received a questionnaire from my GP to fill in on which they will base their report for the DLA team. I am surprised they have asked my GP for a report already! It took a few months last time.

pupsicola · 2 April 2009 at 10:26AM

My health visitor helped me fill in the form first time round and we photocopied it. His condition is still the same so just re-wrote everything as before. The form is a nightmare and they try to trick you by asking the same question 7 different ways.

Sarah

mummytofour · 2 April 2009 at 9:45PM

I think it took me 30 hrs in the end to fill in the last form and I typed then staples to teh correct page, I did this as my hand writing and spelling are not at all good.

I strongly suggest that you write a draft copy first this will help you to clarify your ideas and include every thing you want. Once you have done the draft leave it a couple of days and review it before filling in the form. If need be ask for advice form welfare rights or CAB.

cyclonebri1 · 3 April 2009 at 9:32AM

I think you need at least 3 to 5 hours for the form.

I thought the form was shorter this time than it was 2 years ago? Got my result yesterday and confirmed as for an indefinate period, what does this mean in practice??

With regard to being able to give the correct answer in a tick box situation, many of the questions have an option if no box applies. I simply put a numerical cross reference to the blank pages at the rear of the form and added extra pages;)

DLA renewal time

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