Dla form

Vicky123

Just wondering if anyone knows why there is a section on the form asking for information from someone who knows the disabled person.
In my childrens case they are autistic and I always send letters from consultant paeds, plus lots of other medical evidence stating life long care, severe mental impairment etc [youngest is profound] so wonder why they need something from someone else with no medical knowledge at all.
I hate having to ask what are relative strangers really because we very much keep ourselves to ourselves and do not get along well with school staff as we are always in conflict about provision. I would be more comfortable letting one of their own medical experts meet my children as they are obviously disabled than ask people to state the blindingly obvious. Surely in light of the strongest medical evidence possible which also states level of need it shouldn't be necessary, after all the flip side of relying on someone who knows the person well is that they are more likely in some cases to state what the applicant asks them to.
Vicky

seven-day-weekend

I don't know why the question is there (other than plain and simply 'is this the person whose name is on the form?'), but won't one of the professionals you mention be suitable to sign the form?

Vicky123

Yes, they do sign and the letters I send are just by way of extra information from the paeds who have been seeing my children for years, it's a while since I filled in these forms but have one due any day and I remember having to get someone who knew the child to fill in a piece about how they are affected by their disability it wasn't something for the medical people, just wondering why it's necessary as in honesty no one does know my children well other than teachers who I am loathe to ask.
The thing is the paeds already put that in my youngest sons case at least that he needs 24/7 lifetime care so what does it matter what anyone else adds to that?
I just don't want to ask and wonder why I have to although I can see the relevence in a way if medical evidence is either absent or weak or even not relating to extra care but still think friends would most likely say what was asked of them if we had any lol.
Vicky

seven-day-weekend

I've just looked at an online DLA form; it says you don't have to fill that part in:

Statement from someone who knows you
60 Please note, this page does not have to be filled in[FONT=NXIPX R+ Frutiger LT,Frutiger LT][FONT=NXIPX R+ Frutiger LT,Frutiger LT]. If you do want this statement to be filled in, the best person to do it is the one who is most involved with your treatment or care. This may be someone you have already told us about on this form.
If you are signing this form on behalf of the disabled person, please get someone else to fill in this section.
[/FONT][/FONT]

Vicky123

Thanks for that it must be new or I didn't see it before, although I am filling in the forms on behalf of my children so doesn't that then mean I have to get someone else to fill it in any way or am I being more confused than normal today?
Vicky

Indie_Kid

I've had someone fill this in for me, on the basis that they (not a medical professional) see me most days, so know what I'm really like. IE, I get tired quicker than people my own age and can't read standard size print. (there's no information like this on my medical records)

Indie_Kid

Vicky123 wrote: »

Thanks for that it must be new or I didn't see it before, although I am filling in the forms on behalf of my children so doesn't that then mean I have to get someone else to fill it in any way or am I being more confused than normal today?
Vicky

That question is optional. If you want someone to fill it in, then do so.

Vicky123

OK Thanks, just hope it makes no odds then to the outcome

munchings-n-crunchings

Hi Vicky,

I've always had someone fill that section in for me.
I've just thought that if it was left empty, it may look odd, but that is just my unfounded personal opinion.

As the DLA is about my 2 children, I usually get my mother to fill in that section. And it's just how she see's their disabilities affecting them.

At some points, the medical professionals drop out of out children's care, and we go it alone, so it is useful for there to be the opportunity for a non medical professional to have their say.

It's important to remember, that DLA is all about the care needs, so where a consultant or GP can be very factual about the diagnosis, it's the family, friends and relatives that can see how children are affected in their daily lives.

I hope the rest of your application runs smoothly,

Regards
Munchie

starnight_2

Hopefully it shouldn't do as you already have supporting letters from your childrens drs. On a side note I got my CPN to fill that part in on my form as she is the most involved with me bar my family, so it can be anyone really.

Newly_retired

I work at CAB and I often help people complete their DLA forms and this section doesn't have to be filled in. It won't make any difference if it is not completed. Some of my clients have nobody else who can supply information apart from their GP and it is really useful if a family member or close friend can confirm what their care needs are. But if you have plenty of medical reports it really is not necessary.
I hope you are successful.