DLA application - request for PO account - timescales (lots of q's!!!)

blueopal5577

Hi,

I'm sorry to bombard you with questions but this is an area I'm new to. I've suffered from depression and anxiety (hence the q's!!) and have recently applied for DLA - I am working, although its sporadic on a 0 hrs contract, and times i dont work, its because im ill. I couldnt have a full-time or even part time set hours contract. I am trying to return to study in october but god knows how this will proceed. I explain this as i see working and claiming can be contentious.

I am currently being supported by the community mental health team, including a psychiatrist and support worker.

I put my application for DLA in around the 1st week of july expecting not to hear anything for the said 6 weeks. I called up around 2 weeks ago, and learnt it had only been 5 days in the system (!!!) Anyhow, knew it could be like this, but then friday i recieved a post-office-account application form from the DWP... now to me that sounds positive, as though its been accepted (logic says if they asked everyone to make an account without approval, there would be a lot of unhappy rejected applicants!!!) however my anxious side says "dont get ur hopes up!". Ive posted back my bank details as requested but since it took a month for them to get my letter through their postal service, its not looking good.

Anyone put in a 1st application, been asked for bank details... and been refused??

Also how long do you think it'll take for me to hear from them again? I know these are impossible questions to ask, but to give me even an idea or a hope would be great!

Last question, my support worker suggests if i only get low rate i should appeal and apply for middle rate... i see her point, but im concerned that if i did need to appeal... i may end up being rejected completely - any experiences / advice??

If you appeal your rate, do you recieve the lower rate whilst appealing or does it stop altogether?

Im pretty knackered so i apologise if this doesnt make sense but any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Amelia

[Deleted User]

When you applied for dla did you fill in the pages about how you wanted the money paid e.g. into an existing bank account?that might explain the letter youve had,but you can of course tele blackpool in the morning and ask how your claim is progressing.
As for appealing if you only get the lower rate of care,there is always a danger that they may take away what you already have,and this shouldnt be done without first seeking the professional advice of a welfare rights officer,you would of course continue to receive what had already been granted during the appeal.
But dont jump the gun wait and see what happens then come back for more help if you need it
good luck

blueopal5577

thank you!

I didnt fill out that section as i was opening a new account. I didnt know whether they would send out the special invitation (short cut) to opening a post-office account form if they werent going to give it... but then it is a factory process, so maybe it was just automatic. A call to blackpool in the morning it is... to be told "we're analysing your application"

Its not like we're at the beginning, middle or latter stages... theyre just looking at it.

Thanks for your reply. Typing my concerns was quite cathartic lol! I think im not so good at the waiting game. Id rather here "NO!" quickly than "maybe" for 2 months. Although, maybe i wouldnt...

xxx

mum2one

The account opening post could be because you may not of put bank details in. When its your first application it can take a while to go through, I know when I 1st applied it was in the July, I finally got a decision in the November, but my payments were back dated to when they 1st recieved the application in the July.

The thing is, mental can be a difficult one, as some people can fake applications, (please be assured I do not mean you,), like a sicknote saga, bad backs and depression are ocassions where there is not always physical proof.
You say your not working fully at the moment, not being nosey, just trying to think alound, are you recieving benefits at the mo.
When you get the decision from DLA, it can go one of two ways, either they say no, nowt at all, which you disagree with and fight the cause, the good side is with you are already in the system and have the support back up. If they do say yes you get a level of benefit, are you trying for the care side, or the mobility side?
If say you get low care rate, and you feel that you should be on medium rate, again you can appeal the decision, but there is a chance that the case could get reviewed and you could lose your entitlement, then your back on a slippery slope trying to get them back.
Sorry if thats not much help. x

blueopal5577

No its all helpful, especially knowing it may take til november. It stops me being on my haunches and allows me to put it to the back of my mind.

Mental health is a very difficult one. Thankfully I can prove my history quite easily and sent them a pack of letters with the form!!! Why wait for them to ask? lol... there was one from my psychiatrist from the community mental health team who confirmed this was a long term problem, that although with therapy etc i should improve, i will likely be on medication for life and the problems its causing me in the immediate term and for the prospective 6months - 1 year. I gave the number of my support worker, repeat prescriptions, details of mind workers and so on. No one would attend bloody self help groups as a faker too bloody depressing lol

I get no benefits at the moment. By doing a 0 hours contract for the past 8 months ive managed to just about meet my expenses. I find the whole application process stressful and since with a - hrs contract and the various ups and downs of shift work (weekend pay extras / nights etc) i was too scared to apply for income support, when the next month i may earn £30 over etc. With all the magazine adverts and television adverts "No Ifs, No Buts" its no wonder im popping the pills lol. Its guilty til proven innocent, and youre still made to justify yourself to people. Benefit = bad person it seems.

Sorry ive gone into a rant. I appreciate your reply and i guess chill out and wait for them is the answer. I think if i get accepted i'll accept what im given or pass it under the nose of a welfare person and see if they agree. Im not so worried about how much, just yes or no. Stupid really.


xxx

mah_jong

blueopal5577 wrote: »

I put my application for DLA in around the 1st week of july expecting not to hear anything for the said 6 weeks. I called up around 2 weeks ago, and learnt it had only been 5 days in the system (!!!) Anyhow, knew it could be like this, but then friday i recieved a post-office-account application form from the DWP... now to me that sounds positive, as though its been accepted (logic says if they asked everyone to make an account without approval, there would be a lot of unhappy rejected applicants!!!) however my anxious side says "dont get ur hopes up!". Ive posted back my bank details as requested but since it took a month for them to get my letter through their postal service, its not looking good.


Amelia

Hi I am a but puzzled with them asking for bank details when you asked for the PO account. Unless you already have the PO account for other payments you have to apply for the this after you have the benefit/allowance in place, as you need a letter of invitation from the DWP, Child benefit, Pensions Service or what ever.

I work in a PO and this is one of the things we check.

Mah

mum2one

I know you say your on a 0 hr contract, but it may be worth looking into JSA or Income Support, as that guarentees a basic amount of money, than as long as you keep them informed of your work and when you recieve money they will work around that.

I know where your coming from re "no ifs no buts", Im on Income Support, and work from home, they class me as self employed as audit for a telephone company, (get £30 pm), and ocassionally depending on health commitments (on crutches, and suffer with depression etc), so fully know where your coming from.
I send in slips as I get pd, though it took about 6 months to get through to them, that the job is over 4/5 weeks, but an hr a week, so example mth July, the wages dont always go through to mid August. We finally got it sorted, theres many a time I have felt like saying is it worth all the hassle for £30 but then its my bit fo independance and will at least look good on the CV.

Good luck with it all, back tracking again to your original post (sorry), when you said 2 weeks ago it was only 5 days into system, usually take 6 weeks, Id give in 3 weeks then ring again, at least by then they should know whats going on. x