Diabililty Living Allowance - My Story.

granny_c

Just wanted to add that the average time for dealing with notification of changes to the DLA is FIVE months. I got in touch with my MP and he looked into it and has agreed to lobby for clarity and to speed up these instances. There is no doubt that there is a great deal of added stress when filling out the forms and waiting for a decision, but the worst thing for me was waiting on the telephone menu system to ask for advice and help in filling in the form. It took 22 minutes to reach an advisor who then told me that she could only respond to a maximum of three questions and that I would have to ring back if I had more. She stopped me mid-stream when I was summarising to say she had to close the call! Steam was coming out of my ears! In future I will always go to the CAB who will help fill in the forms, represent you at interviews and offer free legal advice.

Oldernotwiser

RonH22 wrote: »

You probably may know The partners of sick and disabled claimants will be forced to obey orders issued by private and voluntary sector staff or have their partner’s benefits cut under new regulations to be introduced by the DWP

I'd be interested to hear more about this;I don't work in this area myself.

RonH22

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear more about this;I don't work in this area myself.

Well we are going to have to see what happens on this as the Bill progresses through Parliament

RonH22

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

Can you please show us proof to back this statement. I think you will find that there is NO truth to this at all.

It sounds to me like you are trying to panic people with inaccurate information.

That is not correct. I merely refer to experience with the incapacity benefit medicals which have then been applied in relation to dla. However as I have said this is not an area I work in anymore and haven't for a few years but I understand the fear of advisers who do this wok is exactly what I say

Oldernotwiser

Are you talking about the section where partners of claimants should be preparing for work? It seems eminently sensible to me.

Penny-Pincher!!

RonH22 wrote: »

That is not correct. I merely refer to experience with the incapacity benefit medicals which have then been applied in relation to dla. However as I have said this is not an area I work in anymore and haven't for a few years but I understand the fear of advisers who do this wok is exactly what I say

You stated that medical assessments related to ESA could be used to re-assess people's DLA claims. Where is evidence that this information is accurate?

If it is an area that you dont work in anymore or have no experiance in, then please DON'T post misleading and untrue statements!

PP

RonH22

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

You stated that medical assessments related to ESA could be used to re-assess people's DLA claims. Where is evidence that this information is accurate?

If it is an area that you dont work in anymore or have no experiance in, then please DON'T post misleading and untrue statements!

PP

I actually found the information on another site which I saved at the time. I therefore gave this information in good faith. In addition I repeat how in the past the incapacity personal capability assessment has been used against claimants.

RonH22

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Are you talking about the section where partners of claimants should be preparing for work? It seems eminently sensible to me.

Well it really depends doesn't it?
If the person is the claimants carer which is essential for them then that would not be sensible. To take an example I know someone who has really bad COPD and has to use oxygen. He relies heavily on his wife as his carer and in fact he would be put at risk if she was not present. I’m not saying that all case are like this but it does concern me for those instances.

Obviously in relation to myself I have bent over backwards to work as I always have had a comitment to help others so I am not saying that working is a bad thing at all.

Oldernotwiser

RonH22 wrote: »

If the person is the claimants carer which is essential for them then that would not be sensible. To take an example I know someone who has really bad COPD and has to use oxygen. He relies heavily on his wife as his carer and in fact he would be put at risk if she was not present. I’m not saying that all case are like this but it does concern me for those instances.

You've been unlucky in your example as that's the exact situation I'm in. My husband has very severe COPD with lung capacity of about 15%. Until very recently I was working full time and I've given up work (no benefits) out of choice rather than because it was essential to him.

SuziQ

Have you asked your MP for help and support on this? I know very little about DLA for adults (my youngest child gets it but I think in children it is probably far more clear cut.)
I do see where their suspicions may be coming from-if you are advising other people but were unable to understand your own need for representation at the interview,need reminding re own basic care etc-to many untrained people that would sound contradictory.

I do hope you can resolve this without any further deterioration of your health.