Need a quick reply re DLA

soon2bjobless

Hi - my dd first lost her DLA (she has spina bifida) - she was on the highest rate of mobility and highest rate of personal care - then when she asked them to look again at it she discovered she now has Hodgkins Lymphoma and has started chemo - they have now given her the lowest rate of mobility and the lowest rate of personal care. She has asked for an appeal form and they sent it and she needs to send it back quickly.

However there doesnt seem to be much room on the form as to why she is asking for an appeal - do you have to send letters from her specialists or does that happen if she goes to a tribunal? She was originally assessed by a doctor sent from the DLA people and her spina bifida is causing a lot more problems than when she was originally granted the full amount - now with cancer on top of that I think she should get more.

(Her GP - who she has only seen maybe a couple of times - showed her the 4 question letter she got from the DLA that they make their assessment on - they have not contacted any of her specialists at all)

Any help and advice would be really good as she wants to complete the form and get it sent back.

Thanks

Linda

[Deleted User]

she needs help from welfare rights or cab urgently.

freezspirit

same as woodbine, plus its been awhile since I filled a form in but there's usually a help line to advise on how to fill or what to include.

But my guess is to include everything you can so that they have all the information and background to make a decision.

Good Luck with the appeal and the chemo, hope everything goes well.

lolababy

Hi dont worry about the appeal form. Put as much down as you can. You can also write on A4 paper and attach it. If you go to tribunal then you can give in extra evidence right up to just before you go in.
Hopefully from what you have said her dla should go back to high rate on both.

Just to add if you join benefits and work via the net, you will find up to date advice and help. Try to get in touch with a carers center near you as they are really good for help and advice.

black_paw

i agree with woodbine

hippo18

Appeal appeal apeal...83% of people who appeal DLA decisons win, whihc means their original decisons are mostly wrong!! You could contact CAB or Social Services or an organisation related to SB or HL may also have info/assistance..good luck!

[Deleted User]

Yup appeal, but to add I always include lots of extra sheets with my forms and in the appeals I've helped with.
Those tiny little boxes are never enough for detailed explanations and descriptions and the appeal form they send is asking them to review their decison with the information they already have from the original form.
If you want them to know additional information add extra sheets yourself.