DLA form support?

matelot123

Jenna wrote: »

Hey CJ,

I have joined a website called Benefits & Work which has some advice about filling in the form / what the questions mean etc (I get very confused easily so this "step by step" stuff really helps me). I may try the CAB too (I didn't know they can help over the phone!) but to be fair I've filled in 2 forms before so I know how to do it...

I am just scared of being rejected and/or sounding like I'm whining. I almost never talk about my health and just manage as best I can. My OH (we live together) knows about it of course and helps me with lots of stuff but we don't really talk much about it as I just find it embarassing!

I hate having to list all the problems I have with X & Y activities in detail ... it's depressing and I just feel pathetic and like I'm whingeing.

How can I be accurate and detailed without sounding weak?!

Jenna, when i have filled in my forms, I have thought long and hard about each section and what I could write that ACCURATELY reflects my needs or problems in that section and when I've done that, I think about what I would write if the problems I had thought about were being experienced by someone else and I was merely reporting them using the form as a tool.
In this way I manage to stay totally honest about the needs I am reporting in the forms and also to ensure that I fill in as much information as possible
The first step as has been posted by others here, is to be totally honest with yourself about what your problems are, what your needs are and what help you require to make a difference to those needs. Please ignore the poster who advised you to exagerate your claim...the people at warbreck house are trained to spot liars on these forms and frankly, if you have a disability, it will show in the needs and problems you report on the form
good luck with the claim and don't give up till it's awarded.

Millburn_farm

OSFA wrote: »

Hi all
I am an ME sufferer and have been for years. I have won two tribunals for DLA.
I am on low rate DLA but I have just asked for another form so I can apply again and hopefully get the middle rate so I then can get Income support.

For those of you with ME and are filling out these horrible forms then please make sure....
1/ You put down that.... you don't have good days. You only have bad and worse days.
2/You need help when dressing,washing,cooking etc.
3/You never go outdoors unless accompanied.
Most of all make sure you overdo the info. Make it sound as though you're on your last legs. It will only help you with your claim.
Good luck to all those trying to get DLA or whatever benefit. DON'T GIVE UP!
(Again feel free to pm me if needed).

As an ME sufferer for almost 17 yrs I find that shocking advice too; I do have good days; but the advice which I have been given over the yrs by the DHS themselves; be it for IB50 forms or DLA forms is that they want to know about my bad days; how I am at my worst; how I am if I try to be "normal"

I get DLA high rate mobilty indefinetly and literally 4 weeks ago got IB50 for 5 yrs, despite the governments lastest push to get people off Incapacity benefit; by being as honest as I can; I can't actually be 100% it depresses me too much; so my forms aren't of my very worst days; just an average bad day.

I don't have to lie to get what I'm entitled to, oh and I'm much iller now than 16/17 yrs ago and I've never had to go to appeal; oh and I have stratagies for my cooking, I can manage locally unaccompanied; but need help if I go into town (but then that is a 90mile round trip), I don't need help dressing, but clothes hurt so I don't get dressed that often,

lollipoplady

OSFA wrote: »

Hi all
I am an ME sufferer and have been for years. I have won two tribunals for DLA.
I am on low rate DLA but I have just asked for another form so I can apply again and hopefully get the middle rate so I then can get Income support.

For those of you with ME and are filling out these horrible forms then please make sure....
1/ You put down that.... you don't have good days. You only have bad and worse days.
2/You need help when dressing,washing,cooking etc.
3/You never go outdoors unless accompanied.
Most of all make sure you overdo the info. Make it sound as though you're on your last legs. It will only help you with your claim.
Good luck to all those trying to get DLA or whatever benefit. DON'T GIVE UP!
(Again feel free to pm me if needed).

There are now words that can express my feelings about this persons comments. They are not helpful.

Don't worry about how much time it takes to complete the forms. Make sure you send a covering letter stating that you were not well enough to complete them hence the delay. They understand and make allowances for this.

It is useful to use your old forms - if you don't have a copy of them then you can request a copy from DLA. This is essential.

Keep a pad with you and write down "thoughts" you may have about each section so you don't forget.

Being brutally and totally honest with yourself - which is the hardest thing to do. Im fine will not do.

DIAL have been very helpful in the past. Local welfare benefits advisors can also help if you have some in your area.