DLA - Renewal - No Longer Entitled! :(

KrazyKel

Im so gutted! I was on High Mobility and Middle Care, I had my renewal form for a while - took ages to fill it in as i hate them so much, got help from A4U (Dial) In the end and was posted 10th November, (Renewal due in Jan)
Wasnt expecting an answer for several weeks - or months!
But recieved a letter this morning dated 18th saying they recieved it on the 13th and are looking into my claim
Also recieved a 2nd letter today but dated 20th saying im not entitled to ANY Mobility or Care!

Is this usual to get a decision so quick?
Also there are seveal things listed under care and mobility which i disagree with

Im going to ring A4U tomorrow and ask for their advice on appealing the decision and giving more info.
They also didnt contact my doctor, shall i recommend they write to them?

They said they made their decision from my form and from my previous ESA Medical (Which i got 0 points for) but i dont want them to base it on that as i disagree with that result anyway and ESA is hard to get past the assessment phase!

Im so annoyed and gutted! I hate forms at the best of times and dreaded filling in these and having to appeal

dmg24

Did you appeal your ESA decision? If not, it would indicate to the DM that you accepted the decision, which is why they would have looked at that report. How long ago was your medical?

DIAL should be able to help with your appeal/ reconsideration request.

Indie_Kid

They don't have to contact your doctor. They didn't with my renewal which I wasn't too happy about - given that my needs had changed.

KrazyKel

No i didnt appeal the ESA, i went down the working tax credits instead due to the part time work i do.
The ESA Medical was back in June
I wish i appealed that but it just wasnt worth it at the time and couldnt handle all the stress of it

[Deleted User]

The fact that they are using ESA medicals is of some concern to many,especially when you can claim and get DLA when working.They are two very different things to my logical mind especially as the esa medical is based now on what you can do,and dla SHOULD be based on the care/mobility needs you have.

KrazyKel

I know, if they wrote to my doctor/gp it would be so much better, even my gp has recommended me not working (not in the job im doing now as its just too much) but i want to try to work. but by working they wouldnt give me ESA - even tho you can work upto 16 hrs on ESA with permitted work, the fact that i could do work didnt go down well - plus so hard to get ESA now
*sigh*

Going to ring A4U / Dial tomorrow to ask them what to say on my appeal,

When i appeal/give more info, is that done by phone or will i have more forms to fill in?

Chocolate80

I'm with you on this one Kel as my DLA is due for renewal in January, I sent off the forms and it's come back saying I'm not entitled to anything. I was only on low rate care but still... think they were being harsh. I still need help with stuff but they've made their decision!

Hope you get somewhere by calling DIAL.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hi KrazyKel,

You can appeal using a GL24 form, although to can appeal over the phone, or do a written letter.

If you telephone, often they will ask you a few more questions. If you are not prepared for this, then it can catch you off guard, and you may miss out on points that are crucial to your claim.

I did a telephone appal for my daughter, but in my son's case, I did a written appeal, not any any form, but stating why I felt their decision was wrong and supplied more evidence to back up what I was saying.

Look at this information from the Benefitsnow website. Go down all the links on the left hand side, and see how they apply to yourself.
http:///www.benefitsnow.co.uk/dmakers/default.asp

The first step, will be a reconsideration, where a different decision maker will look at the information in front of them and make a decision.

Speak to your GP and or Consultant. See if you can get an updated medical report that you can enclose with your appeal. See if you can ask for the report not only to focus on the medical diagnosis, but on how it affects your care needs, and the care you need from another person.

Also, it may be useful for you to look at the information the DWP uses to advise them about medical conditions. Sometimes, if you have more than one condition, the overall impact can be different, and not as black and white as this guide can appear. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/medical-conditions/a-z-of-medical-conditions/

The more information you can provide, that supports your claim, and throws the ESA report into double, the better chance of success at this stage.

Regards
Munchie

KrazyKel

With the reconsideration, is that the first step? shall i get more info from doctors etc before ringing about that? or just get someone else to reconsider based on the info already got?
I wanted to ring and do it all today, get it out the way, but might be best to wait to get more info from doctors first.
It has been a bit alkward as my specialist has left and my GP took over with my treatment rather than waiting for someone else from the hospital, so i dont have a specialist anymore now, just GP. Have seen a few others but just getting different opinions / treatment than a regular specialist who i used to see
Thanks so much for your help!

munchings-n-crunchings

Hi KrazyKel,

The reconsideration is the first step. You can simply say you want an appeal or a reconsideration, This is the first step regardless.

The decision will be yours, as to whether you just ask for the reconsideration now, or hold off and send in further supporting evidence.
Personally, if it was me, I would want to try and get the decision in my favour at this point, rather than going to the next stage of the Appeals Tribunal Service.

You have 4 weeks in which to get your appeal in. This will be extended to 6 weeks if you ask for a written Statement of Reasons.

I suggest you contact Welfare Rights. They are part of your county council, and they are benefits specialists. Sometimes it's good to have another pair of eyes look over your claim.

Here's a link to explain the appeals process.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/appeal/appeals1.asp

Regards
Munchie

Newly_retired

CAB can also help you. Just make sure you are within the time limits - one month from date of decision letter.