DLA decision unsuccesful not sure what to do now

Lady_K

This follows from my original thread prior to app,lication here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1409491

I recieved the decision letter today, they recieved my application on 27th Feb and the decision letter is dated 30th March.

I was really shocked that they have said I am unsucessfull for both mobility and car componants and really I'm still in shock and quite unpset and just on't know what to think or do. I'm trying to take it in a bit before panicing too much but its actually upset me quite a lot.

The letter says they have made the decision based on info from my gp and advice from a health practitioner first then it says includes details about current treatment, medication, test results, symptoms.

It says having considered all the info I have decided that although your needs vary; the help you need most of the time is as follows:

walking
It says I can walk over 50 meters slowly but in an adequate manner ( I put on the form I can walk 20 meters in pain having to stop every few feet to rest)

guidance or supervision
It agrees I need comfort and assurance but says I do9 not suffer anxiety (but I put all over the form examples that I do)

personal care
it says I have difficulties but do not need help from another person, it says using apt aids and adaptions as required I dont need help with personal care for a significant portion of the day or frequently throughout the day (again the form was full of why I need help from another person for many of these care needs in the list)

It says I am not at risk of falling (I am always falling or stumbling and put this on the form the gp has known about some of these incidences too)

There are other things they dont agree with too that I dont want to put here.

I'm not sure what to do, I know part of this is probably my fault because I don't go to my gp and when I have she doesnt care and I do not easily ask for help so it makes me even more unlikely to ask anything of her I just get on with things myself. But the personal care stuff on the form she doesnt know all of my problems but does know some but whether she cared enough to put things down I dont know.

They have not contacted any of my consultants just gp and it wasnt that clear who the health care advisor was that they consulted either but it was someone who hasnt ever met me by the sounds of it.

I phoned the number at dla and I dlon't know whats going off I'm not sure if things are happening in the right way or what but I did ask for a copy of the gp report as I had read on here to get one, she said it will take a few days to get it. She said its being registed as up for reconsideration but I dont understand if they are reconsidering it on the info they already have without me commenting on it or if I have to send my comment to them or what I dont underastnd whats happening I did ask her repeatedly as I didnt understand it. I want to tell them my opinion and what I think is wrong and explain that my difficulty with my gp and why I dont go that often etc.

Is this going the right way? I said dio I need a gl24 form and she said not at this stage, I know I dont have long so I want to be sure to do it right

My daughter told me to tell them I would prefer to be examined by one of thier doctors but I didnt think I could request this, I was so surprised when the letter came and didnt even saiy I was going to have a medical, basically it is a flat out refusal

purplecatlover

i would suggest approaching dial or cab for advice and help with asking dla to look at it again and/or following through to appeal.

Lady_K

I have already rang welfare rights if that is the same as cab and the lady that answered the phone was not that helpful at all, she sounded more than half asleep she just said go in and see them but I struggle going out and its about 10 miles away too so I said could she give me any advice over the phone instead and she just said to get a letter from my consultants and gp again but I already asked the consultants before and they said they only do them if asked by the benefits agency. I dont understand if they are reconsidering without my opinion on thier comments in the letter or if I should have already asked for the appeal form

baccyman

i have been turned down for DLA in the past and i went to the CAB (citizens advice) and asked them to help me to do an appeal which they did and they can think of things to go into your appeal that you might not have thought about when you applied for DLA,
so if at all possible i would try and get to see them, maybe you could ask a freind to drive you to their office or another family member,
if i remember correctly you have about a month to lodge an appeal and it can take a fair bit of time to get to see the right person at the CAB so you will need to see them as soon as possible,
best of luck with the appeal.

Lady_K

Thankyou, I did just ring dial and the man there was totally different to the welfare rights person I spoke to earlier, he took my name address phone number and is getting someone to ring me he was really nice and reasurring but he did say he wished I had phoned them first before contacting the dla myself after recieving this letter. I'm a nervous wreck at the moment

covlass

Contact your local law center they should be able to help you. You can ask for a reconsideration first then the next step is to appeal. Get a letter of support from your consultant your self if you can, do not rely on DLA to contact them. They never contacted my daughters GP or specialist yet 3 of their Dr's made assumptions about my daughters disabilities without even seeing her.
I do stress though get help DLA is a mind field

Lady_K

Dial just rang me back saying they arent covered to support people in my area

covlass

Hi Lady K
Have you tried benefits advice line it was those who put me in contact with my local law center, infact they have just called me to see how my tribunal went and went through a list to make sure my daughter was recieving everything she is entiltled to they are very help full

Lady_K

What is the benefits advice line is it the free 0800 number dor dla?

covlass

try this one
, I am sure the above number should be able to help, or look on your local council web site
Helpline:
0800 88 22 00

Lady_K

I just rang that number and she didnt know what I was talking about but she did find the number for the law center for me in my area, so I will phone them too

I also just looked at the letter and it says at the end in bold writing 'The enclosed leaflet contains important information you should read now' but there is no leaflet