appeal help who do i see

daleks2020

hi,i have just been awarded dla , i got awarded middle care and low mobility but i felt sure it would be high mobility and middle or high care...i don,t have a dial anywhere near me and i,m not sure if the cab would know how to deal with my problem seeing as i live in a small place and not a large town or city......i was thinking that maybe i should appeal but need some advise as i am scared that the appeal might take away my awards ....is there anywhere i can phone to speak to someone or do i have to call in...thanks

[Deleted User]

Your local authority should have a welfare rights dept,try them,if not does a nearby larger town have a CAB?
Just a thought high rate care means you need help for a "significant"part of the day AND night,high rate mobility means being "unable or virtually unable"to walk,or not being able to walk without severe discomfort,appealing can put at risk the award you have just been given,so please get help.
good luck

beanielou

Weedbine has given you some good advice.

Associate

I would second what woodbine said, it is important to ask a professional or someone with experience in this area if it is "worth" appealing and whether you would be risking your amount being reduced.

You could try this link to find the closest solicitors firm to you that specialise in Welfare Benefits, it shouldn't cost you anything if you are entitled to Legal Aid, click on Welfare Benefits for the "Area of Law" box:

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor.law


Jay

black_paw

i third woodbine , you do need help here

colin13

IMO as an MS sufferer,when I first applied for DLA i never got the award ive got now(not tht I want it),this was through my illness getting worse:(
as woodbine said hi rate mobility means u struggle to walk without pain or discomfort etc
its just a bee in my bonnet,,every 1 who applies for DLA expects the highest awards straight away,(when in all honestly we dont want them at all)

kazzah

My husband had his DLA lowered from high rate to NIL on renewal a couple of years ago - his condition had NOT changed significantly, so we asked the DWP to reconsider his award- they then awarded him lower rate care
we then went to a tribunal - we had attended one before and were prepared and knew what to expect
however we were staggered when the chairman of the tribunal asked us
" if we really wanted to continue with the tribunal as they had looked at the evidence and were of a mind to turn it down and take away the low rate that had been awarded by the DWP"
we decided NOT to continue with the tribunal and made a complaint against the chairman of the tribunal who we felt had acted in a VERY biased and unprofessional manner
our complaint was not successful and he is still on low rate care now
my advice would be to THINK VERY CAREFULLY about whether or not you wish to proceed with an appeal - you could lose the award you already have

black_paw

make sure you get good advice first please

earplugs

If you are looking for a welfare benefits specialist to get advice you can also use

www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk and then click on find a legal adviser, type in your postcode and click in the box for welfare benefits.