Devastated after DLA refusal

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello there!

I would suggest you make an appointment the Welfare Rights Officer. They can be contacted through your council.

Sometimes it can be good to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at the information that you have previously submitted.
Please act quickly, as you will only have 4 weeks in which to submit you appeal.

It's often harder to get across you difficulties, when you have several different conditions impacting on your life.
My daughter has Asperger's, and also DCD, which is Developmental Co-ordination Disorder..a term they now use for dyspraxia. When the difficulties is over and above what they would expect in Asperger's, then it's given it's own diagnosis. She has all sorts of problems, simple things like spreading butter to make a sandwich is hard, doing up buttons, or judging the distance of traffic.

Think about all the problems you have adapted to coping with, and how much easier it would be if, for example, you had a person to accompany you.
Normal places we take for granted, can be a nightmare for people on the autistic spectrum.
You have probably adapted yourself, because you have to, but with a little understanding, things could better.
If you had support, you could work on social skills and activities, and this would be a positive move.

This is all things you can put on your claim.

Here is some information from the National Autistic Society.
http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1561&a=7788

Have a look on the NAS website, and see if there is a support group in your area, you might find this useful. They could also point you in the right direction for a diagnosis,

Regards
Munchie

pippy123

Hello, I have no practical advice to give you as I know nothing of the benefits system in the u.k. But I just wanted you to know that my heart goes out to you, that you are being treated in this way is wrong. Please stay brave and know you have right on your side, keep fighting!!!!It may take a while and it may be a hard fight for you but knowing you are right will help. Warmest Regards to you and your mum

Prinzessilein

Just to update you!
The woman from DIAL actually phoned today...the DLA people contacted her ( I gave written permission when she helped me complete the forms)....they told her that I was being refused. She wants me and mum to come in again, she wants us to appeal or re-apply. And she is writing a letter to the DLA for me today to ask for a full explanation of why I was refused, so that I can address all their points in my appeal.
And I'm seeing my GP tomorrow, to see if he can speed up my referral to the specialist. A report from them might benefit my appeal.
Claiming DLA is an absolute nightmare. I sometimes think they make it difficult on purpose!

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

Prinzessilein wrote: »

I have dyspraxia and Aspergers Syndrome. Dyspraxia was diagnosed when I was 11 (A long time ago as I am now late 40s). Aspergers is more of a problem, as I was diagnosed last year, but then moved house. My new GP says that all paperwork regarding Aspergers has gone missing. The specialist I saw has gone to India and there are no copies of his reports....so my new GP is starting the process again by refering me to a psychiatrist.
I am currently unable to work. My GP signs sick notes to say I am unable to even look for work. I have also applied for DLA. I have just had a letter telling me that my application has been refused. I was so careful with the form, even getting help from 'experts' at the DIAL charity. I gave full details of my disability, and yet the letter says that they believe I can walk adequately, I do not suffer anxiety attacks, I am fully capable of going out unaccompanied in unfamiliar places, and I have no problems communicating. But I explained that I do have all those problems! Why don't they believe me? Do they think I lied on my form?
I am in such a mess at the moment. I am petrified that they will now stop my Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit unless I look for work. Honestly, I can't do that at the moment.
The DLA would have been so useful. I live on benefits and the extra money could have made such a difference. (I really need a can-opener that opens tins on its own, as I can't open cans normally, my coordination is too clumsy....and I could really use a laundry basket on wheels....little things I know, but the DLA would've helped me get them!)
I am so isolated. Some days I can't leave my bedsit. I rely so much on my mum who is in her 80s. (It's awful I know, but I already have my suicide planned for when she dies....I can't cope without her....but that's a bit morbid, and I hope she'll be around for a few more years!)
I know I could appeal against the decision. But is there any point? I had help with the forms and wasn't believed. (and that hurts so much....I don't tell lies!) What hope is there of being believed this time? I don't cope well with stress. Do the appeals work?

Hi, I also have Asperger's, I was diagnosed in Jan 2006 at the age of 33 so I completely know how you feel, I also receive Incapacity benefit too as there is no way I could return to work.

I am still really struggling to come to terms with it even after 3 years, I just feel as if someone has pulled the rug out from underneath me & my whole life has been a lie.

I applied for DLA in March 2006 but was turned down, I asked for a reconsideration but was turned down again, I appealed & lost.

When I got the results of the appeal it stated the reason I wasn't entitled to DLA was that I could write really good letters therefore I couldn't be as badly effected as id claimed. The fact that I couldn't leave my house to post the letters id written didn't seem to matter to them one bit, they even implied id lied saying my evidence wasn't consistent.

I was furious & applied to the Commisioner to appeal against the decision & was granted it on the basis that they should of called myself & my Occupational Therapist to discuss the inconsistencies before dismissing my claim.

I finally won my appeal in 2008, 2 years after 1st applying, all I can say is never give up, if you know they are wrong fight to prove it, obtain as much information as possible about your condition & bombard them with it.

I still have all the paperwork from my claim if you need anymore help.

magpiedawn

Just wanted to call back in and see how you are!

I knew plenty more people would be along to help once your thread got going,so i will check out again for now.

I can see you have plenty to do for the moment,so good luck
Magpiedawn x

Prinzessilein

I went to my GP...he said there weren't any specialists in my area who deal with Adult Aspergers. Mum and I were prepared for this - we gave him the name of someone! GP looked at the name and said, "ah, that's a different district - we can't fund that!" We asked what we were supposed to do, I need a specialist, there isn't one in our district, we've found one nearby. GP told us there are 'rules', and if there isn't a specialist then it's my bad luck! However, when we didn't look like we were leaving, he agreed to make a few phone-calls and see if the chap we found will agree to see me.

Then, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the DIAL helper sent off a letter to the DLA for me, asking for details of why my application was refused....I got the reply today, all they have sent me is a photocopy of my application! (And I took a copy before I sent them my application!) ....How can I appeal if they won't let me know why I've been refused?

Something tells me this appeals process is going to take a looooooong time! And like many people, my condition is exacerbated by stress. This isn't helping me at all! GRRRRRR!

McKneff

Just try and be patient. If they do refuse you again you will be no worse off than you are now. If they do grant you DLA look on it as a bonus and just relax and like i say, be patient.

McKneff

di3004 wrote: »

Have a lovely time.:AXX

i did, it was brilliant.

di3004

McKneff wrote: »

i did, it was brilliant.

Great to hear.:T:T:T:beer:;)XX

cabbage

Hi

Don't give up. Have a look at www.advicenow.org.uk there is info and a leaflet on being turned down.

Don't get despondent - in my experience over half of dla applications are turned down. The decision maker has very limited time to look at the 48 page document and make a decision.

I'll give you an example of how the claims are looked at. My friend has identical twins with identical care/mobility needs. She had two forms and copied the information across so both forms were identical. When she sent in the renewal, one was awarded mid rate care and low rate mobility (as per the previous award) and one was turned down for everything! Having said that though, I can't think of a better system at the moment.

Speak to your gp about your problems and get him to support your application for DLA. If poss, give him a copy of the DLA application form as its probable that he doesn't know the full extent of your illness, after all he's not with you 24 hours a day.

Definitely appeal if after looking at the decision again its still refused. I've found that by asking for DWP to look at the decsion again and asking for full written reasons, they sometimes change their minds and award dla without an appeal. If you do need to appeal get DIAL to go with you and prepare the paperwork or your local authority's Welfare Rights Service. As mentioned strict time limits apply so ensure everything is done in time to ensure you get the max benefit once you win.

NHS treatment - out of area. I've just had a referral made from my gp to a hospital 70 miles away and way out of my area. I went to my gp and asked for a second opinion. My new consultant is going to treat me and the treatment will cost around 12k. My pct has agreed to pay for it. So I can't see a problem for you to see a specialist nearby.