DLA been refused please help me

aimee0763

Hello Everyone,

I am new here just joined. I have been refused DLA . My problems are Rheumatism, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Severe Gynaecological problems which I have been suffering with all for 25 years now. I have never heard of or claim DLA before, in fact it was suggested to me from the Job Centre, due to my health problems I should claim DLA, I didn't realise then that I would be climbing Mount Everest, just to get anywhere.

I've had 2 premature births, nearly loosing both children, the first I started to bleed at five months pregnant spent 2 weeks in hospital, he was born at 32 gestation, second was born at 31 weeks gestations wasn't breathing and had 50% chance of survival, I lost 2 unborn children after and had 3 operation in 4 years, I've had a scan 4 years ago due to excruciating pains in my pelvic which my doctors thought might be cancer, thanks god it wasn't. Anyway 3 weeks in a months I am very ill, I suffer several blinding migraines throught the day and night, it's contant for 2 weeks before my period is due and during the week of my period, I cannot walk or go out at all with severe bad cramping pains in my pelvis, which my doctors knows, I've seek help from DIAL the lady filled in my form but i've still been refused.

Here is a breakdown of refusal,

Help with getting around outdoors, I told the DWP that i do not go out at all, apparently i am suppose to write down how many steps metres or minutes i walk before feeling severe pains, i just didn't know i had to write this down, as i do not go out, how i am suppose to count the minutes.

Guidance and Supervision
need help because of anxiety and panic attacks, again i do not know what they want me to right.

Preparing a cooked Meal

Help During the Day
Personal care with bathing,
get in and out of bed
dress and undress

During the night
Toilet needs
adjust bed cover
turning over, whenever i turnover i end up with excruciating pains which I suffer last night.

The lists are so long guys, apart from me being very ill at the moment and not wanting to take anymore of anyone's time. I cut this story short, i am appealing at the moment and the DWP told me to write a re-consideration letter stating more clearly my problems, again I have not a clue what to write, please if anyone have similar problem as myself and can help me, it would be much appreciated, i know everyone has different problems , but i feel the DLA have one system and criteria how the form should be filled, how in gods name they expect very sick people to know how to fill in the form appropriately.

Please please help me, I am thinking of getting a Social Worker to help me as I just cannot cope on my own, I have my 14 years old boy to take care of also.

Many thanks in advance

Best regards


aimee

colin13

The CAB will help u fill form in or a social worker will also help u,,
wgen u fill in the form tell them exactly how u feel on ur worst days,, if u dont go out so cant tell them about ur mobility tell them tht, if u have probs at night tell them ,, if u struggle to make ur self a cup of t or make ur dinner tell them that
DLA is not for ur illness,, it is about how it hinders u in every day life,,plus do not b shy due to pride when filling in form,, tell as is on worst days and Good luck,, PS people on here advise u to appeal in person and not by letter ,, as then the docs can c how bad u r and u can rell them face to face

waqas

As collin said. Dont be shy and tell them everything as that will determin what you get.

If you have a Disability Direct service where you live, use them as they are realy good. otherwise the CAB, Social/Workers will do it for you: all for free.

healy

colin13 wrote: »

The CAB will help u fill form in or a social worker will also help u,,
wgen u fill in the form tell them exactly how u feel on ur worst days,, if u dont go out so cant tell them about ur mobility tell them tht, if u have probs at night tell them ,, if u struggle to make ur self a cup of t or make ur dinner tell them that
DLA is not for ur illness,, it is about how it hinders u in every day life,,plus do not b shy due to pride when filling in form,, tell as is on worst days and Good luck,, PS people on here advise u to appeal in person and not by letter ,, as then the docs can c how bad u r and u can rell them face to face

Just to make it clear people should detail how they are on good and bad days not just their worst days.

lynzpower

I too was refused DLA for these sorts of problems however, I had no diagnosis.

Do you have a diagnosis for your gynae probs? the reason I ask this is that my refusal came beacause I didnt have a diagnosis, so thus they couldnt say that the situiation was perm. However you have many years and operations, I had only had scoping operations and they dont seem to count.

If you do not go out alone, then it naturally follows that you do bnot need help to get out. If you see what they mean. However, there will be times you have to leave the house ( eg to go to the drs)

If like me you couldnt walk to the gps alone, then you have to say what you do in order to get yourself there. Do you have to call a taxi and get the driver to come to the door to help you in to the car and out again, EG my OH had to take time off work to get me to drs - that was taken unpaid, so therefore it "cost" us £14 ( 2 hours off work) for him to get me to drs.

In terms of the turning in bed issue, this one is difficult. I too had pain problems when turning. but it didnt mean there was anything that the DWP could do about it. If it would have been less painful to turn with a hoist for example or a carer to help, then that could have been "evidence" but In my case it was painful no matter if someone helped or was alone.

Can you make a meal alone- this is to identify really whether you need specialist equipment ( such as kettles or pans with different types of handles) or a perching stool if you cannot stand for long enough to knoack up a hot meal, or if you have to stay in bed all day then meals have to be given to you. If you do need any specalist equipment such as a perching stool you will need an assessment from Adults social services to assess the risks.

Ultimately, when you are filling the forms in ( I know this from both sides, I used to work in Adutls social services helping people fill the forms in, nad applying myself) you need to bear in mind that they will read and think, yes she may be ill ( as I was) but what will she need the DLA for- what will the money be paying for that no one else ( NHS/ Social services) fund.

I hope you get some good advice, mine failed and on reflection I didnt bother to reapply.

Bogof_Babe

This is not medical advice as such (not allowed) but have you discussed the possibility of a hysterectomy with your doctor, as it sounds like your family is complete?

I had a lot of the problems you are suffering, and since my op six years ago I've never looked back.

I'm not sure how the DWP view illnesses that are controllable/curable with the right medical treatment.

lilac_lady

The turning over in bed pain is common to most people with back, knee, shoulder problems so I don't think that you'd get DLA for night time care unless you need to be lifted to go to the toilet. Sometimes too much detail is as bad as too little detail on DLA claim forms as the reader may think your problems are exaggerated. Please don't think that I'm suggesting that you've done that but I think that the advice often given here to always describe your worst day as if every day was as bad can go against you and DLA is rejected. Appeal. Good luck.

almar_2

Dont give up. If you feel you should be entitled to it then do appeal if rejected.

I didnt give all my details the first time - too personal I thought - and was rejected.

In the end I thought to heck with it and told them excactly how bad I am nothing exaggerated and nothing held back. Totally frank, to the point and honest.

They sent a doctor out who spent over an hour with me and my carer.

He wanted to see my medication, my equipment and aids from occupational health, I had to tell him the whole history of my health, my needs, how it affects me and my carer, what help I need during the day and night, can I make a meal or not, how far I can walk or stand for and then I had to try and stand and then walk for him.

It was humiliating for me as I am a very proud person. But I was successful and so glad I applied again.

HTH

[Deleted User]

I think people have to remember that DLA isnt awarded for an illness or a medical condition(no matter how bad they may be) BUT for care and/or mobility needs,many claims fail because not enough time was taken to complete the forms,and dare i say not enough research into how best to complete them(and no i dont mean how to cheat the system)

aimee0763

woodbine wrote: »

I think people have to remember that DLA isnt awarded for an illness or a medical condition(no matter how bad they may be) BUT for care and/or mobility needs,many claims fail because not enough time was taken to complete the forms,and dare i say not enough research into how best to complete them(and no i dont mean how to cheat the system)

Hi woodbine,

Thanks for your reply much appreciated, I agree what you said about DLA isn't awarded for illnesses or medical conditions, because I read somewhere on the net that the doctor's note is not relevant, the DWP don't care much for it, the DWP ask for them to give them more times, this is so confusing, if the doctors report are irrelevant then why ask for doctors reports. I did take my time and research I have been searching in forums since June 08 and have had an adviser from DIAL filling in my forms as I just couldn't cope with it, but I am no better than when I started. Until someone open the floodgate, someone who have similar health problems as yourself and has applied for DLA and have suceeded you will never get anywhere, this is as much a getting water out of stone. I am getting a Social Worker to help me, apart from being so very ill and having to cope with a child alone, DLA is out of my league at the moment, I've spent the past weeks wrecking my brain whether I do want to go ahead and appeal or to just throw in the towel, that in itself is a health hazard. This is one last try, if I don't suceed so be it. Life is too short. It was my Adviser at the Job Centre that suggested DLA because she is aware of my health problems. She made it sound so easy, I didn't realise then that I need to climb a mountain.

Thanks again



regards


aimee

aimee0763

colin13 wrote: »

The CAB will help u fill form in or a social worker will also help u,,
wgen u fill in the form tell them exactly how u feel on ur worst days,, if u dont go out so cant tell them about ur mobility tell them tht, if u have probs at night tell them ,, if u struggle to make ur self a cup of t or make ur dinner tell them that
DLA is not for ur illness,, it is about how it hinders u in every day life,,plus do not b shy due to pride when filling in form,, tell as is on worst days and Good luck,, PS people on here advise u to appeal in person and not by letter ,, as then the docs can c how bad u r and u can rell them face to face

Hi Colin,

Thank you for your reply much appreciated, I did seek help from CAB and DIAL, but wasn't successful, I shall get myself a Social Worker it's my last effort. Thank you for all the tips you've given me, I am saving them all and have a read when my brain is less pickled .

Thanks



regards


aimee