Dla renewal - decision received

TOBRUK

As I have read so many negative posts on here regarding DLA recently, I thought I would post.

Almost 8 weeks ago I sent in my renewal forms - my current award of HIGH RATE MOBILITY and MIDDLE CARE RATE ending 31/1/10. About two weeks later they sent me a letter telling me they hadn't yet made a decision and had sent for a report from my GP.

Today I received the decision. I have been awarded HIGH MOBILITY RATE - Indefinite period, and LOWER RATE CARE - Indefinite period.

This is a huge relief (as you all know) and although they have changed the 'care rate', I really don't care - I'm just glad that I've received what I have. This is the first time that I have received 'indefinite period' and hopefully I shall have longer before I have to tackle these forms again!

I thought perhaps a positive outcome might be helpful as I'm sure that people just tend to post the negative.

Good luck to all of you who are going through the process at this time as I know it is stressful. When I saw the brown envelope I was afraid to open it! I would also say that I had no help at all in filling in the forms in case some are worried that they have gone ahead alone.

kingfisherblue

Glad it has worked out for you x

dmg24

Glad you have had a positive outcome.

Could I ask, do you feel that the LRC award is fair? We see a lot of cases where people assume they should be on a higher award, but don't really have the knowledge to make that call. You seem to have a bit more of an insight into the system than most, so I would be interested in your thoughts (though please feel free to ignore my question if you don't want to discuss it ).

TOBRUK

Well dmg24, would I ignore you? I don't mind answering any of your questions if it helps. I really don't know whether LRC is fair or not, how do you compare one person's needs to anothers' - I just hope that the decision maker looks at all the evidence (if that's what you'd call it) and come to what they feel is the right outcome. I filled in the form as honestly as I could stating how I was on my best and worst days, giving examples.

I live alone and do struggle, but I do have a sister (living approx 37 miles away) who comes to help me twice a week - if it wasn't for her help I would find it extremely hard to cope. I o have falls, I hardly leave the house but when able I do have a car which helps get to the village etc.

I have a wonderful GP and she insists I see her every 6-8 weeks. As she knows my needs very well she could give them a report (as they did send for one) and that probably helped them come to a decision. Who am I to tell them what rate I should (or believe I should) receive?! I would say that I do believe that I deserve high rate mobility, and if they had taken that away I may have considered appealing.

The first two times I applied for DLA (with help from CAB) I was turned down - I went to tribunal on both occasions an won. Since then I have filled the forms in myself and named my GP as one 'who knows how you are' question.

To tell you the truth I had a surprise when I received a letter beginning of this year telling me that they had increased my care needs to middle rate, as I had not contacted them about any change. I don't know whether they go over some cases and perhaps change their decision??

Hope this helps.;)