Radio Five

Turning_into_scrooge

northernlass wrote:

My husband had his tribunal in December 2005 and they did exactly the same to him so he replied with "you have already asked me that and im sure i saw you write down my answer" he said the looks on their faces was a picture, he was eventually awarded middle care and lower mobility until August 2006

I hd a really horrible doctor come out to me recently for DLA renewal . Wehn he got to the repeat questions he realised he'd already asked that one and looked back ad re wrot the answer that he'd already written. Whether this is a good thing or not i really don't know. My DLA runs out 26 June and i still haven't heard from them, it's constantly on my mind now and i'll be honest i'm worrying sick about it

Turning_into_scrooge

Precious_Thing wrote:

For anyone interested, I had my tribunal yesterday and it was an awful experience. My DLA forms were filled in with the help of the Disability Benefits website. That site is excellent. I am well clued up on these matters and took this knowledge into the tribunal. It was clear from the start that they did not believe what I had written and what I was reiterating to them. I was very clear and assertive, but not aggressive. I did have a representative, but he said virtually nothing the whole 70 minutes as I had everything covered.

They were cold and obviously trying to trip me up. They would test out if what I had said on my original DLA form was what I was still saying now. They asked me something, and 20 minutes later, asked me the same thing again to see if I was being consistent. I cried most of the way through as it felt so threatening. Although they did ask if I wanted a break, they showed no concern for me whatsoever, even when they asked very personal questions about my experiences.

I have fibromyalgia and a long history of mental health issues, and I live with constant pain despite being on fentanyl (stronger that morphine). However, I have a very good job and am obviously articulate. I have not been able to do that job for 4 months, and am fighting to go back part time. My employers are trying to get rid of me.

To be treated like that at a tribunal when everything else is collapsing around me in my life, is such a kick in the guts. Moreover, how would some poor person who was not able to speak up for him/herself manage when faced with that?

It's disgraceful.

At the end of all of that, I was awarded low care (which I had anyway), and low mobility, but the award is just til April 2007. This means that in roughly six months time, I'll have to fill in the DLA forms all over again. No wonder so many people are not getting the benefits to which they should be entitled.

Precious Thing.

I have fibromyalgia too and if i had to go to tribunal i know i would cry all the way through it too. For some reason they really do beleive that fibro sufferers can somehow recover and all symptoms go away. Well i was diagnosed 30 may 2002, i used to take maybe 2 - 4 tramadol a day mainly to get me some sleep at night if at all possible. I am now having to top up the tramadol with Solpadol(don't worry it is perfectly safe if not adictive) to get 2 hours sleep a night, but i am taking 8 tramadol a day which run out pretty quick, its no wonder i have now been diagnosed with depression and have to take a high dose of antidepressants on top of all the other pills and potions. :grouphug:

Poppycat

We just been told this morning that our appeal for a Blue Badge has been successfuly. My daughter got turned down on Saturday so I emailed county council and then rang them yesterday for confirmation of the email. Email never got there it was in there spam box, lol.

When I explained that my daughter is often wobbly and she has a dislocated hip, that swong it our way. She often has dizzy spells and can fall or trip up quite easily due to her condition. We always thought she was dozzy but it turns out its her medical condition which was only confirmed late last year may be causing this.

Poppycat

Thats seems extremely unfair to base DLA on your living conditions alone. I hope you appeal and have a unbaised doctor, if theres every one about.

Chrysalis wrote:

my own problems were as follows.

awarded IB 2nd medical (1at rejected). As I had mobility problem I claimed DLA.

DLA doctor turned up at flat because I live on 2nd floor he used that basis alone to reject benefit, usual assumptions made.

He ignored that when I moved in I wasnt ill but since its incredibly hard to move when on benefits and almost impossible for childless people to get council properties my alternative was been homeless, so where I lived in reality shouldnt affect his decision..

Fran

Poppycat wrote:

We just been told this morning that our appeal for a Blue Badge has been successfuly.

That's good news, thanks for letting us know.

Chrysalis

Poppycat wrote:

Thats seems extremely unfair to base DLA on your living conditions alone. I hope you appeal and have a unbaised doctor, if theres every one about.

to quote his comments.

"patient appears to be able to go up 2 flights of stairs to his flat with no major diffilculty. Because of this I see no evidence of mobility problems"