Applying for DLA process?

juanmanuelmarquez · 24 February 2013 at 2:08PM

Ok i know the process of ESA...

-firstly, applying by phone, answering questions
-checking details are correct when sent confirmation through post
-sending sick note
-filling off and sending atos medical questionnaire
-going to atos and being rejected (benefit stopping)
-appealing and heading towards tribunal (benefit re-starting)
-going to tribunal and being rejected (re-applying from scratch)
-or been awarded esa and on wrag.

so whats the process of DLA? is it exactly the same as ESA?

cockaleekee · 24 February 2013 at 2:17PM

Google is your friend ...

https://www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit/how-to-claim

juanmanuelmarquez · 24 February 2013 at 4:17PM

thats what it states, even i found that but i want to know what the process is. they make it out to be that you need to meet this and that criteria to be eligible. when you do fit that you still dont get the benefit so thats why i outlined what the process of an esa claim is and was expecting the same for dla...

helentay_2 · 24 February 2013 at 4:29PM

juanmanuelmarquez wrote: »

thats what it states, even i found that but i want to know what the process is. they make it out to be that you need to meet this and that criteria to be eligible. when you do fit that you still dont get the benefit so thats why i outlined what the process of an esa claim is and was expecting the same for dla...

For a start DLA is not like ESA. There are no descriptors or points awarded.

It is purely a self assessed claim where you are expected to describe in full detail what your mobility issues are and how they impact on your life. Likewise the same with the care element.

Once you have assessed yourself and are happy that the picture you give is a fair and honest representation of your life on good, bad and average days, you send it off to the DWP.

The DWP will then first of all either accept or reject the application depending on what you have put on the form. If they want more evidence they will write to your GP for a factual report.
Once they have that, they will review the whole claim again and you will be told the result being anything from failure to high rate care & mobility and everything in between.

That's it. PIP which starts in April will be in place of DLA and will run on similar lines as ESA does - descriptors, regular ATOS face to face assessments and limited period awards which will make the non claimants in this country very happy, plus there will be a minimum reduction of 20% of the money available that is currently paid out under DLA.

You have a choice, go for DLA now and be re-assessed for PIP later that is if you are awarded DLA, or wait until the DWP start to accept new claims for PIP and go straight for that option.

If you understand ESA and how it works you will understand PIP.

Poppie68 · 24 February 2013 at 4:31PM

You need to phone DLA or a form or you can complete i believe on line. You will need to produce evidence from your GP and specialists to back up your claim. Also send copies of repeat slips for any medication you are currently on for the condition. If they refuse you can ask for a reconsideration or appeal, they will i believe automatically to a reconsideration if you appeal. The case will likely go to tribunal. You will not recieve any money until they made an absolute desicion and it will be backdated to the date you applied. You really do need evidence from health care professionals to be successful with a DLA claim.

Sommer43 · 24 February 2013 at 5:21PM

We have just completed my husband's DLA renewal. His last award was in 2010.

The form is straightforward, very detailed but simple to complete. We enclosed a recent letter from his GP, which backs up and quantifies his conditions. We have also included all test results from his last year's scans. His current award runs out in May of this year.

As the poster above has explained, applying now for DLA is paramount, if you leave it until after April, all new claims will be for PIP. Not that any of each make a difference if you're entitled to it.

We then await instruction from DWP for my husband to apply for PIP.

helentay_2 · 25 February 2013 at 1:20AM

Sommer43 wrote: »

We have just completed my husband's DLA renewal. His last award was in 2010.

The form is straightforward, very detailed but simple to complete. We enclosed a recent letter from his GP, which backs up and quantifies his conditions. We have also included all test results from his last year's scans. His current award runs out in May of this year.

.

That is interesting, not that it affects my dad as he already has his award - well until PIP comes in and he is assessed in 2015 when he will be 66!!!

From what I was told you had to send in evidence that was relevant to what his needs were, not a letter from a GP explaining what is wrong with him? As for scans, once again all they prove that the claimant has a condition but doesn't go anywhere near explaining how that condition affects their daily needs or mobility.

It was drummed into me that the DWP when looking at a DLA claim aren't interested in what the diagnosis is or even what is being done to treat it. They are only interested in how it affects him.

mazza111 · 25 February 2013 at 10:27AM

When we applied, we had no evidence as such. They did write to the GP, who only confirmed (wrongly) that the dd had broken her leg. They said she had broken her tibia, when it was her fibula. But anyhoo, nothing about the HMS which is what gave her the problems. It resulted in a doctor being sent to the house to give her a medical, which in turn resulted in her getting her award for DLA HRM and LRC. They did say however, that her condition should improve with surgery/physio. Surgery has been ruled out and physio can't do any more for her :wall: So don't know if that helped when it came to her reassessment.

So to the OP:

Make the application
They will then gather any evidence from people you see, GP, specialists, physios etc.
If they need further information they will either send you for a medical or do a medical in your own home. Where they will also assess how you deal with the stairs etc.
A decision would be made based on this medical.
The appeal process is much like it is for ESA I believe.

helentay_2 · 25 February 2013 at 12:59PM

mazza111 wrote: »

So to the OP:

Make the application
They will then gather any evidence from people you see, GP, specialists, physios etc.
If they need further information they will either send you for a medical or do a medical in your own home. Where they will also assess how you deal with the stairs etc.
A decision would be made based on this medical.
The appeal process is much like it is for ESA I believe.

Whilst you are perfectly right when you say this, but in the real world they would only normally contact the GP.

The GP is the only one that would have the whole picture as they receive reports from all of the consultants etc. Plus the GP is the only one that is required under their contract to give a report to the DWP. Consultants and such like may do so, but they are neither paid to do it nor are legally required to do it. Most Consultants will simply return the request telling the DWP to contact the GP.

I have heard of a situation where a Consultant actually wrote a letter to the DWP returning the uncompleted factual report saying that his time is much better spent saving lives and treating very sick people than it is filling out spurious government forms.

mazza111 · 25 February 2013 at 3:24PM

They wrote to my dd's ortho consultant as well as the GP. Hence why I said. Hence the conflicting reports on which bone was broken :wall: Although this wasn't the reason she was claiming, but the reason the other condition went into overdrive.

Applying for DLA process?

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