DLA / AA Decision Maker - CLOSED - REFERENCE ONLY

somebody_else

SandraScarlett wrote: »

If a case goes to appeal, does anyone know how long it takes from receipt of the paperwork for a decision to be reached, and for the applicant to be advised please?

Thanks.

This isn't gospel, Sandra, but when I put in my first claim for DLA the original decision was made in February, I appealed and was turned down again, then I requested a Tribunal and it was all done and dusted by May of the same year. So in theory you should have your answer within 3 months.

Quite happy to be corrected if anyone knows for sure.

sorted_2

Hi Thanatos, this is really very good of you to do this.
I have had HRM for a few yrs now,
Because things have deteriorated badly and I really am strugglling i
applied for care component and was given LRC indefinately,
Because I felt that this should have been higher I asked to go for appeal.
although they say on the reasons that I need all this help, I can't understand how they came to this decision, they have not gone to doctors or consultants for reports. I had a welfare rights officer help with the forms and he can't understand it either.
I would just like your imput please because now i feel that I am begging, but all I need is help to live my life as best I can now.
thanks

woofwoofwoof

My mum currently gets DLA and I just noticed somewhere on one of these boards that DLA is only payable up until she is 65 (she's 64 now). What happens when she gets to 65?

gravitytolls

You can only qualify under 65, if her award is indefinate, she will continue to receive it until she or they decree otherwise.

sorted_2

woofwoofwoof wrote: »

My mum currently gets DLA and I just noticed somewhere on one of these boards that DLA is only payable up until she is 65 (she's 64 now). What happens when she gets to 65?

You continue with DLA after 65 if you recieved it before hand, After 65 you claim for Attendance Allowance. Mobility will continue if given before 65 but cannot be claimed after this age.

jetcat

SandraScarlett wrote: »

If a case goes to appeal, does anyone know how long it takes from receipt of the paperwork for a decision to be reached, and for the applicant to be advised please?

Thanks.

again, my own experience - 4 months. Although, rereading your post - do you mean an oral appeal hearing, (where you attend and are normally notified on the day) or a paper hearing? I am assuming that you mean you have received your 'appeal bundle'?

SandraScarlett

jetcat wrote: »

again, my own experience - 4 months. Although, rereading your post - do you mean an oral appeal hearing, (where you attend and are normally notified on the day) or a paper hearing? I am assuming that you mean you have received your 'appeal bundle'?

I first applied mid April - waited till JULY to be told it was rejected. Asked them to look into it again, rejected in August, so requested it went to appeal.

Received my bundle mid September, not really up to attending, but completed and returned documents next day.

So we're getting on for 2 months now. It would appear from posts that I might not hear till the New Year. Thanks for replying to my previous post.

Sandra Scarlett

jetcat

M.E. wrote: »

A friend has a twelve year old son who will have his hips and legs in plaster for six weeks. Grandparents are around but not able to cope as he has now grown too big. They helped six years for the same operation but the boy has grown and they cannot cope.
His mum works and is willing to take unpaid leave.(No dad). However her work would rather she was in work than get a temp in, but will give her unpaid leave.
Is there anyway that the son can have a short term carer and what allowances etc are there?

i am not 100% sure, but pretty sure that dla wouldnt be payable short term, as there has to be a 3 month qualifying period before payments can begin, and the condition has to last for a further 6 months. So, for the period of him being in plaster, he wouldnt qualify on those grounds alone.

However, if he does have additional needs (the reason for him needing to be in plaster, as well as care needs while he recouperates after the plaster is removed) then he could qualify that way, if it can be shown that he needs 'substantially' more care than other children his age.

the hospital he will be having his operation should have a social worker - maybe your friend could give them a ring prior to the op, and ask what help is available?

this is only from my limited knowledge, and cant guarantee that it is 100% accurate, so it does need checking with the CAB, other welfare rights workers etc. Maybe even the benefits enquiry line - 0800 882 200

sorry i cant be more help!

jetcat

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I first applied mid April - waited till JULY to be told it was rejected. Asked them to look into it again, rejected in August, so requested it went to appeal.

Received my bundle mid September, not really up to attending, but completed and returned documents next day.

So we're getting on for 2 months now. It would appear from posts that I might not hear till the New Year. Thanks for replying to my previous post.

Sandra Scarlett

ok, i remember from mine that the longest part was waiting for the actual appeal date. I got the letter, and the appeal was for 5 weeks from the date on the letter - i guess this will vary.

If you can manage it, try and attend - you can take someone with you for support. There is a much higher rate of success for appeals if the claimant is present. I do know how scary they are - i was an absolute mess. The panel were lovely though, and allowed me plently of time for breaks to compose myself etc. I also prepared a written submission, which i referred back to while talking, and i took a couple of copies for the panel

Try to spend the time in the meantime gathering extra info - do you have anyone helping you with the appeal?

gravitytolls

I concur with everyone else, attend the appeal. DH appealed, and the appeal was allowed. However, he was again rejected on reapplying. I think in many cases it's just really hard to explain how conditions affect you in terms of answering pre written questions. In person it's much easier to get your point across, and to make yourself understood.

The panel are lovely, kind and help you feel at ease. They include a Dr (gave advice not had before, including how the alternative medicine was also known to cause liver damage, as DH had already been taken off some prescription meds as his liver was reacting), a magistrate and a representative of social security/disability.