Help with DLA forms

bertha

On the BBC programme that looks at benefit frauds, a very nice man spent ages going through a DLA form with someone by phone. Does anyone know who he works for and the contact number?
Thanks

Ted_Hutchinson

Room 901
Victoria House
Ormskirk Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 2QP

Tel (Helpline - Voice): 0800 882200
Tel (Helpline - Text): 0800 243355
Fax: 01772 238953
Telephone: 8.30am - 6.30pm, Monday - Friday; 9am - 1pm Saturday
Web: www.dwp.gov.uk

Unfortunately you cannot ask for the especially nice man who appeared on the programme to help you. You will get the next person whose available.
Remember there is a big difference between getting the DWP to help you complete the form and getting your local CAB or Community Legal Service Direct to provide the same help. The Welfare rights people will prompt you to answer the questions in a way which addresses the criteria. While the DWP may, while being filmed for TV, appear to promote there form filling service as "independent" I do assure you that you may not be asked the leading questions which a good professional welfare rights officer would ask to ensure you presented all the evidence possible to support your claim.

The IT providers for the DWP have invested several millions of £ in installing a honesty indicator on DWP phonelines. I am not saying that these are yet operational or that I would encourage anyone to tell lies to get benefit, however I do think that many people are nervous when talking to officialdom and may not appear to be as clear about their condition as they might be. If asked when you last fell, or how many times have you fallen, you may need a while to get this sorted in your own mind before you answer and while I'm sure the technology is as good as it can be until you've seen it working it's difficult to be convinced. Particularly as we are now working in a situation where rewards for reducing the number of disability benefit claimants are being spoken about openly.

Zziggi

0845 7123456 is the DLA benefits number. I think if you let them know that you cannot fill the forms in yourself, then i believe they can arrange for someone to ring you back to help go through the forms with you.

However if you need help filling in the forms then wouldn't it be better to see fi you can find a local organisation who could help you? welfare right organisation? CAB? group connect to your disability? These groups could also support you through reconsideration/appeal if necessary.