DLA Appeal

Blakespops

sunshine71 wrote: »

hi everyone, i can see a fairly heated debate going on here with lots of interesting points

so Blakespops hows the appeal going,

i work as an office manager in a company that helps disabled people back into work and study and i have to say that your experience of the DLA system is far too common,

i have had to help a lot of people fill in that horrible form, i have had to sit with a lot of people as they are examined by doctors sent by the DWP and had to help far too many people claim what they are entitled to from the government and local councils

i feel that the system is outdated and ill epuipped to help the people who need it

my personal opinion of the doctors who come from the DWP to examine people........ well the last one came to see a woman who was in crisis due to her disability and when i asked him what he knew about chonic pain and her specific illnesses he had to admit he wasn't particularly qualified in those areas as he was a gynaecologist

its a well known fact amongst professionals who help people fill in those forms that a very high percentage get turned down the first time or given a minimal payment, it seems as though to make them go away with the little gift they have been given

having been through this system myself as a disabled person i wish i could go to the DWP offices and jump up and down and make them change their system so there are set guidelines not a decision dependant solely on the mood/temperament of the person making the decision

i now know the system and how to speak the language they speak in their own documents and can use their own system against them, i would advise anyone to seek professional help (DAG, CAB) with these people otherwise they will screw you over, leave you wrung out and feeling worse than you ever thought you could about yourself

and just as a thought if you dont know your body better than someone sat on the other side of a desk then you really aren't paying attention

Welfare rights had me obtain relevant information from my physio therapist along with some questions that were put to her for her clinical judgement. the answers help my case no end:

it shows that my condition has been ongoing for a number of years including treatments dating back to early 90's showing I was given Therapeutic epidural injections due to chronic back pain. and that t7 wedge fracture and degenerative discs at l4 and l5 with bulging.

she also states When pain is acute I am unable to get out of bed or use toilet, climb stairs or walk without assistance.

has to help. had the problems with back so long yet this is first time I am claiming DLA as have just got on with life before now however this time the pain is so bad and so often that my business had to be closed and I had to claim.

BiffoBeth

My boyfriend applied for DLA and was refused then also appealed through CAB and was still refused and I think its disgusting the way that they view applications through such a regimented way. Not once did anyone actually ask to view his injury but was simply told he didn't meet the criteria.
He was a pedestrian in 2000 and was squashed against a wall by a car going through a red light and as a result lost four toes on one foot apart from his Big Toe which was lucky for his balance and also broke a lot of bones in his legs - also had skin grafts and various other operations. He luckily through determination and strong character started to walk again and can walk unaided but after an hour has a lot of pain. He is disabled in my eyes and his eyes - he cannot walk without a shoe on his foot, cannnot sleep without a sock on and foot hanging out of bed and yet he still doesn't qualify.
What infuriates me more is when you hear so many times of people who fudge the system by lying on applications and getting the rates so easily whereas when you are honest, tell the truth about your injuries, are genuinely disabled and yet its just tough in the eyes of the government.

Sorry for my little rant, but good luck to those appealing - I would say just don't give up...

black_paw

3 cheeky princes have you put in for industries injury benefit ? for accident at work ! i was told about it ,and got it

SuziQ

Biffobeth,the problem is that DLA is paid for the extra care and mobility needs of the applicant and not the condition itself.You have to prove that he needs the care otherwise he doesn't qualify.
It does seem to vary greatly as to who qualifies and who doesn't. I have a friend who recently was awarded HRC and LRM for her oldest daughter who has ADD and slight hearing loss due to glue ear. I was totally gobsmacked when she told me what award she got and now she is applying for the younger daughter who has the same diagnosis. Neither child needs any extra care compared to ther 14 and 12 year olds that I know and have no extra input at school.They need no input during the night (although I don't know what my friend wrote for this-I didn't know she had applied until she got the award)She sailed through the process in 5 weeks and the award has no time limit on it. My yougest is Autistic and was awarded HRC/LM last year (I think this is where my friend got her idea to claim!) and his award has a 3 year limit on it (although I know that they can ask for reassessment anytime and they are unlikely to leave his award 3 years) Perhaps they have a different way of dealing with applications for children-although someone on here last year whose child was far more severely affected by Autism than mine got turned down flat as the first application and only won through on appeal.The process seems very subjective to me.

BiffoBeth

SuziQ wrote: »

Biffobeth,the problem is that DLA is paid for the extra care and mobility needs of the applicant and not the condition itself.You have to prove that he needs the care otherwise he doesn't qualify.
It does seem to vary greatly as to who qualifies and who doesn't. I have a friend who recently was awarded HRC and LRM for her oldest daughter who has ADD and slight hearing loss due to glue ear. I was totally gobsmacked when she told me what award she got and now she is applying for the younger daughter who has the same diagnosis. Neither child needs any extra care compared to ther 14 and 12 year olds that I know and have no extra input at school.They need no input during the night (although I don't know what my friend wrote for this-I didn't know she had applied until she got the award)She sailed through the process in 5 weeks and the award has no time limit on it. My yougest is Autistic and was awarded HRC/LM last year (I think this is where my friend got her idea to claim!) and his award has a 3 year limit on it (although I know that they can ask for reassessment anytime and they are unlikely to leave his award 3 years) Perhaps they have a different way of dealing with applications for children-although someone on here last year whose child was far more severely affected by Autism than mine got turned down flat as the first application and only won through on appeal.The process seems very subjective to me.

Its true - My boyfriends Stepmum has a hole in her back and although she gets great pain from it she doesn't need a lot of extra care and doesn't have as much of a mobility problem as my boyf has and yet she gets the higher rate...although I don't begrudge what she gets it just doesn't seem right.

Blakespops

Called DLA today and was informed that they are sorting papers for the appeal pannel so am guessing they have refused to adjust the amounts. was asking for a fax number to send in the medical proof but now no point will just put it before the appeal pannel. although welfare rights worker says they may have given me more on them just not highest and it would still go to appeal but I am not sure, anyone got any ideas?

minigirl762003

Hi All

Just a quick update. We have been to see our local MP who has agreed that if we cant get a rep from CAB or Law office to come with us to the tribunal then he would come!!. He also wants us to send any info we have concerning how many people with epilepsy are now having probs with DLA and he said he may even bring it up in parliment.

SuziQ

minigirl762003 wrote: »

Hi All

Just a quick update. We have been to see our local MP who has agreed that if we cant get a rep from CAB or Law office to come with us to the tribunal then he would come!!. He also wants us to send any info we have concerning how many people with epilepsy are now having probs with DLA and he said he may even bring it up in parliment.

Great to hear of an MP who gets involved-ours is like that too,nothing is too much trouble

getcarter

minigirl762003 wrote: »

Hi All

Just a quick update. We have been to see our local MP who has agreed that if we cant get a rep from CAB or Law office to come with us to the tribunal then he would come!!. He also wants us to send any info we have concerning how many people with epilepsy are now having probs with DLA and he said he may even bring it up in parliment.

We are appealing for my son, DLA refused this time. If you want any more info pm me (son has E)

Blakespops

Got my huge 116 plus page appeal bundle in mail today and have to meet with welfare rights worker on monday but reading it the EMP report states" Last fall was three days ago, bruised right shoulder but did not visit hospital, use of a walking stick could reduce risk of falling." DLA decision makers take on that is " The claiment has no risk of falling so fails when out walking in unfamiliar places" mmm I know 1+1=2 but can not work out how DLA make 1+1=0 lol talk about hard to understand. will let you all know how things go on monday and what she says but I feel more confidant reading this than ever that I will win the appeal.