Dla refused and confused

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

LADYOFLETTERS wrote: »

This is my 1st time, please forgive If I've got it wrong. Devasted DLA turned down.
I have got low rate care for 6 years,my husband has had to give up work to be my carer
as I'm a liability and a walking disaster (sorry unable to walk in constant pain). I have multiple illnesses, the total support of my GP's. DLA never contacted. I think I messed up
on the form, but had no help. Have done a lot of research and think I have Somatization
Disorder. Would a letter from a psychiatrist quoting "long standing neurosis-type picture, with low mood and various somatic symptoms" be a diagnosis? Can anyone help as I'm
confused at whether to contact DLA with this info (dated 17th Dec 2008)

DLA is nothing to do with illness, mental or physical, they are only concerned with what your needs are.

I have Asperger's Syndrome (a form of Autism) along with disabilitating depression, anxiety & it took me to years of appeals etc to receive lower care/ lower mobility.

Having a diagnosis doesn't really count for anything but they would of wrote to your GP & your pyschiatrist asking their opinion of how your illness effects you on a daily basis.

If you don't agree with the decision you can appeal but you only get 1 month to do so, phone CAB or Welfare Rights for advice.

cattie

I would disagree with BCS on a couple of points. Dla is to do with illness or disability, whether mental or physical. If you aren't disabled with either then you won't qualify for dla. It is true that the needs arising from your disability are what qualfies you for dla & not the actual illness/disability.

Having a diagnosis does help, especially with mental health problems. Some mental health problems are known to DWP by a coded number/letter in their handbook, which often a psychiatrist will state on supporting evidence to show that the illness is a severe & enduring & debilitating one.

DWP Care needs do not take into account things such as housework, so it's wasted effort to mention these in any dla claim. Shopping is only given consideration when you have to have somebody to help you do this & in these days of internet shopping, many people who once needed assistance to shop are now able to order most things they need online.

The advice to seek experienced welfare rights help is very sound when completing dla forms or seeking advice about appealing etc.

If you want to start a new post then there is a button towards the top of the page on the right of any of the listed message boards that states New Thread. Click on this & you can start you own thread topic.

Prinzessilein

Sorry to hear you've been refused DLA. I know exactly how you feel....I've just been refused as well. I would agree with those who suggested getting help with form-filling. I am reasonably literate (back in the days when I could work, IO used to teach) but the DLA form is an absolute nightmare! I had help from DIAL, but there are other groups around. Even though I was refused, DIAL have been terrific - they contacted me and said they were going to help me appeal - they've already sent off the first letter for me! Don't see this refusal as the end, it's merely a setback. Get some help, and appeal the decision. Best of luck!

LADYOFLETTERS

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

DLA is nothing to do with illness, mental or physical, they are only concerned with what your needs are.

I have Asperger's Syndrome (a form of Autism) along with disabilitating depression, anxiety & it took me to years of appeals etc to receive lower care/ lower mobility.

Having a diagnosis doesn't really count for anything but they would of wrote to your GP & your pyschiatrist asking their opinion of how your illness effects you on a daily basis.

If you don't agree with the decision you can appeal but you only get 1 month to do so, phone CAB or Welfare Rights for advice.

. Thanks for your reply they didn't write o my Gp/pshch/comunirt support worker! (but they are doing now after I rang and was honest that I'd naffed the form up cos I filled it in myself and told them more about my illnesses than how they affect me. Have got CAB working for me now. Did you know that you can get computerizes records from your GP for £12 (mine go back to 1990). This is going to be interesting. Have to go now that's the phone. Will post replies to others later. Thanks for all your help.

LADYOFLETTERS

I really must get some new glasses I'm normally a good speller!!!

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

cattie wrote: »

I would disagree with BCS on a couple of points. Dla is to do with illness or disability, whether mental or physical. If you aren't disabled with either then you won't qualify for dla. It is true that the needs arising from your disability are what qualfies you for dla & not the actual illness/disability.

Having a diagnosis does help, especially with mental health problems. Some mental health problems are known to DWP by a coded number/letter in their handbook, which often a psychiatrist will state on supporting evidence to show that the illness is a severe & enduring & debilitating one.

DWP Care needs do not take into account things such as housework, so it's wasted effort to mention these in any dla claim. Shopping is only given consideration when you have to have somebody to help you do this & in these days of internet shopping, many people who once needed assistance to shop are now able to order most things they need online.

The advice to seek experienced welfare rights help is very sound when completing dla forms or seeking advice about appealing etc.

If you want to start a new post then there is a button towards the top of the page on the right of any of the listed message boards that states New Thread. Click on this & you can start you own thread topic.

What I actually meant was that being disabled either mentally or physically & having a diagnosis does not mean automatic entitlement to DLA.

Obviously you have to have some kind of disability as it is called Disability Living Allowance, I was trying to make the point that it is the level of care & support you need that they are looking at.

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

LADYOFLETTERS wrote: »

. Thanks for your reply they didn't write o my Gp/pshch/comunirt support worker! (but they are doing now after I rang and was honest that I'd naffed the form up cos I filled it in myself and told them more about my illnesses than how they affect me. Have got CAB working for me now. Did you know that you can get computerizes records from your GP for £12 (mine go back to 1990). This is going to be interesting. Have to go now that's the phone. Will post replies to others later. Thanks for all your help.

Good luck, I know from personal experience how hard DLA is to claim as it took me 2 years of appeals to get mine.

cleaning_up

I would have to agree with you on this one, getting a successful DLA claim is extremely hard going.

About 12 weeks ago I made a claim for my grandfather for the DLA care component, he already in receipt of the higher rate mobility. The claim was refused and the letter stated that although they know he is virtually unable to walk he is able to care for himself. This is not the case and my mum has had to give up her job to care for him. Now she can't even claim for carer's allowance.

I contacted my local MP who is now further investigating the matter as I felt appealing was yet another lengthy process. This might be something you will consider doing!

Good luck!!!

Bootsalebargains

Hi, I'm new to this board but just wanted to say even if you are turned down on an appeal it might be worth going to a tribunal.

We tried for disability for my husband, he's was on dialysis at home for 10 hours everyday, had his left leg amputated, sciatica in right leg, registered partially sighted, neuropathy in hands. I had to give up work to care for him
We were turned down totally and told he was capable of working, we appealed and got turned down again. In the end we went to a tribunal, when we arrived we were told to wait in the waiting room, then a man came out apologised we had been turned down and told us we had got the higher rate of carers & mobility, turns out they had been watching us from the minute we arrived and could see how much help he needed.

In total it took us 20 months but got back paid nearly £5000

It's worth not letting it drop.

billionaire

Hello, I am new, but this may help you with applications for DLA. Search for a website called cerebra.