Scared to apply for DLA

Lady_K

When I first posted this thread I said I was worried to apply for DLA because I thought it may alert them to my case and I might lose my incapacity benefit as I have read and heard so many horror stories about the government clamping down and people losing their ICB when they really need to be on it. I thought it better to go without DLA than try and lose everything so I havent applied for the many years I've been told to by a lot of people.

I think I've been on ICB for about 7 years and they have never reviewed me at all and now today I have got a letter from the medical assesment people that work for DWP. I cant help wondering if its because I have recieved the application form from them for DLA I had to give them my national insurance number for them to send it.

Its a form I have to fill in IB50 first and it says they may also ask me to attend a medical assessment with an approved healthcare professional at a later date. It says send it in before 8th April

I'm really worried about if they send me for the medical as I really have problems going out and I hate the thought of going there, I dont ever go out without a taxi or in someones car right to my door because of my mobility problems too. I would rather them come to me if they could. Do you think its likely they will send me for a medical and if they do can I request transport by taxi?

I still havent sent the dla form off I just was looking at it last night and want to make a few changes, but a few is turning into a lot and the more I look at it the more I think this is wrong and thats wrong or I've forgot this and that or is this really right, have I undersold myself, have I oversold myself. Its because I've been doing it so long that I'm confusing myself. I didnt realise you had to sign both the empty form and the pdf form to send back and also send the entire empty form not just the pages with the date stamp on it. I rang them to check some things and they told me that.

My daughter said it could be a good thing that ICB are sorting theirs out too because they may not need to see me for the dla or vise versa. I've worried about losing the ICB for so long though its probably better sorted now. My daughter said she doesnt know what I'm worried about because if anyone sees me they will know I cant go to work and need help.

Should I fill in the icb form off and sent it today like I'm going to send the dla form or should I just send the dla form and wait to see what they say first. My graddaughter is coming from school to go and post the dla form by registered post as I cant get there myself

somebody_else

Lady K - you won't lose your IB just because you've decided to apply for DLA. I'm in receipt of both.

I think you've answered your own question regarding why your being 'checked up on' now - it's been 7 years since you applied. Irrespective of ones condition, these checks happen. You don't have to answer this, but are you within a couple of years of retirement age? That can be a trigger for a review.

I would suggest that you finish off the DLA form, keep a copy for yourself and have another copy to send in with your IB50 when you've filled it and are ready to send it off. I've done this in the past and it's not a problem. It'll probably help your claim for IB because the questions asked are somewhat different, but the extra information will help them make a decision. If by any chance you are awarded DLA before you get a response from the IB folks, then call them and let them know.

You do have the right to request either a home visit, or permission to travel to the medical venue by taxi, but you must ask their permission first if you are planning to request your travel expenses. Of course, it's not a foregone conclusion that you will have to attend a medical - I didn't for my current IB claim. I filled in the form, sent it with my supporting evidence that I'd put together for my DLA renewal and a few weeks later got a letter stating that my IB would continue.

I agree that it's a good idea to be prepared for all eventualities, but perhaps you just need to concentrate on one thing at a time right. Sort out getting your DLA form in, then worry about the IB. [Yes, yes, I know - so much easier said than done, but don't give up.]

Lady_K

No I'm quite a way off retirement age yet although I dont feel like it That a good idea about sending a dla form copy but on the other hand theres a lot of detailed personal info on there so the less people that see it the better I mean if I had to go for a medical at the ICB office I'd feel so embarrassed if they had all that info. I would theink the ICB medical might not be as thorough or probing as the dla one?

somebody_else

Lady_K wrote: »

No I'm quite a way off retirement age yet although I dont feel like it That a good idea about sending a dla form copy but on the other hand theres a lot of detailed personal info on there so the less people that see it the better I mean if I had to go for a medical at the ICB office I'd feel so embarrassed if they had all that info. I would theink the ICB medical might not be as thorough or probing as the dla one?

To be honest, Lady K, I think you're worrying about not a lot with regard to that one. There are some rather personal questions/answers on the IB form as well aren't there? The people at the IB office are bound by the same rules, regulations and laws as the people at the DLA office as are all staff working at your GP's surgery.

The choice is up to you, but the more information you can give them about why you aren't in a position to work, the more likely they are to find in your favour.

Lady_K

Got it posted anyway by registered post. I was hoping it would be there for tomorow but my grandaughter only got to the post office 5 mins before they closed so it missed the last collection. It says guaranteed delivery 27th but that is the day it said it had to be in for do you think that will be accepted by the dla?

I also could not staple everything together so it was pretty flimsy but I had to just put a note on the front saying could they please secure them together as I hadnt been able to do it. I put that date stamped form in too but could not staple both forms together either. Hope they will be ok

somebody_else

Lady_K wrote: »

Got it posted anyway by registered post. I was hoping it would be there for tomorow but my grandaughter only got to the post office 5 mins before they closed so it missed the last collection. It says guaranteed delivery 27th but that is the day it said it had to be in for do you think that will be accepted by the dla?

I also could not staple everything together so it was pretty flimsy but I had to just put a note on the front saying could they please secure them together as I hadnt been able to do it. I put that date stamped form in too but could not staple both forms together either. Hope they will be ok

They'll be fine Lady K. Yes, if the envelope went first class tonight it will arrive on 27th and that will be okay. (Did you send it recorded delivery/first class signed for? If you did, you'll be able to check online that it's arrived.)

As for not stapling it all together - as long as you've put your name and NINO on all the pieces of paper, it should be okay. From what I've seen they'll stick an 'ole in it all and shove a treasury tag through the lot anyway.

You've got it all off - it will arrive on time. Do try to give yourself an evening off from the worrying, won't you.

Lady_K

I think I'm the worlds worst worrier anyway but its sent now and what will be will be

Yes I sent it by recorded delivery with tracking number, it cost £5.05 so I think it should be ok, it would have got there tomorrow if my granddaughter had got to the po before 5 but you know what teenagers are like but at least she posted it for me and I'm grateful that she did

mum2one

I'm glad u got the form off, if its any help, I worry about things as well, have I said the wrong thing, have I filled it in right, etc etc.

I know there looking into ICB, as its slowly being replaced by employment and training benefit, so it just could be that as they havent seen u for a long time u came up on the system.xx

Lady_K

Thanks, I realized I have forgotten to put quite a lot of stuff that is quite important really but I dont think I can change that now, I think I've gone and undersold myself because I was so bothered about doing the oposite. I've missed a lot of things off because I didnt think I should put them down but now I can see I should have.

Does anyone know what the questions are that they send out to your gp as I was told they send out a questionaire to them to fill in rather than them write a report. Is it a tailor made questionairee to suit the applicants conditions or is it a standard one for every condition they send to gps?

mum2one

I think its a pretty standard form that they send out, just going by the bit of info that I picked up from the disability link that I looked into.

In all honestly dont worry. xx