DLA Refusal cos they are stupid!!

metalgal

i received a letter yesterday saying that my claim for DLA has been refused. I applied on the basis of depression and anxiety. The thing about my refusal is they wanted to write to anyone but the medical person who knows me and my problems the best. My mental health social worker. They wrote to my GP who I never see about my problems as it is too difficult to see them when you need them, and my psychiatrist, who basically messes about with meds once a month. My SW is the one who sees me 2-3 times a week and helps me with my problems. I phoned and wrote twice to DLA explaining that only my SW could give them a full picture but they didnt listen and now i have been turned down. :mad:

Can i fight this decision as they refused to talk to the person in charge of my care?? I am going to have to go through the whole appeals process and i don't think i have the mental strength to do it, but i can't work as i can't leave my house without having problems and need the money.

What should i do?

Indie_Kid

You can't make them contact certain people. It's your responsibility to get extra information.

McKneff

Doesnt your social worker/psychiatrist write to your doctor regarding your progress.

If you dont go to see your doctor, doesnt that mean that you dont need to see him. If you really needed to see him you would go no matter how difficult it was. So i find that a tad confusing.

newleaf

You have two options.
The first is to appeal - ask your SW to help you with this. I'd recommend this option, as if you win your appeal, the payment will be backdated to the date of the request for the original claim pack.
The second is to wait a while, and reapply. If you choose this option, ask your SW to write a supporting report and send it with the claim.
Remember, they don't know you, or anything about you, other than what you tell them. They will base their decision on the evidence on your form and any supporting evidence you choose to submit with it. If they don't feel they have enough to go on, they will write to your GP by default. If your GP doesn't know you well, they are unlikely to be helpful in this respect - especially as they don't get paid any extra for filling in the form.
I am a community nurse myself. I regularly send supporting reports with the initial claim, and it seems to work. HTH

dmg24

I would be calling your SW stupid for not proactively writing a report. They should not need to be asked by DLA to submit one.

Prinzessilein

As already said, the DLA decision maker needs you to provide all the information, they will not write/phone for additional reports. It is your responsibility to see they have the necessary information for your claim.

If you want to appeal, then:

Firstly, consider whether you honestly need DLA. Are you looking for Mobility or Care or both? Why? Think about your day to day life. How is it affected by your deprsession and anxiety?AS you anser these questions, make notes.

Make an appointment to see a group such as DIAL. Take your notes with you, and any DLA paperwork. They will be able to tell you whether an appeal is likely to succeed, and will help you make the appeal, filling in the paperwok, and going with you to any tribunal there may be.

Claiming DLA can seem a nightmare, but there are people out there who can help you claim, if you are entitled. Good Luck.

kaya

your social worker is not medicaly trained, your psychiatrist and gp are, asking your social worker for a professional medical opinion is as relevant as asking your postman or your gp's receptionist for one, persevere and if you are entitled you will get it eventually, i wish you good luck with your endeavours

newleaf

kaya wrote: »

your social worker is not medicaly trained, your psychiatrist and gp are, asking your social worker for a professional medical opinion is as relevant as asking your postman or your gp's receptionist for one, persevere and if you are entitled you will get it eventually, i wish you good luck with your endeavours

This is not true. A mental health specialist social worker and care co-ordinator is perfectly placed to provide a professional opinion. You will find that most community mental health teams are multi disciplinary - we have occupational therapists, nurses and social workers in ours, as well as two psychiatrists. Any one of them can provide a relevant professional report in support of a DLA claim.

kingfisherblue

I think the question here is how much care do you actually need as a result of your depression and anxiety? Having medical conditions or disabilities does not automatically entitle you to DLA - it depends on your care needs.

Indie_Kid

kaya wrote: »

your social worker is not medicaly trained, your psychiatrist and gp are, asking your social worker for a professional medical opinion is as relevant as asking your postman or your gp's receptionist for one, persevere and if you are entitled you will get it eventually, i wish you good luck with your endeavours

My GP (and I'm sure it's the same for most) doesn't know what my care or mobility needs are.

munchings-n-crunchings

By putting your GP, Psychiatrist, Social Worker etc on your DLA form, and signing the back, you are consenting for them to be contacted.

By later deciding you only want a specific person to be contacted, will only appear as if you are trying to avoid something being found out.

When I fill out my children's DLA renewal forms, I always write to their GP and consultant, to update them, so that they are aware of all the current issues and problems. This way, if the DWP decide to write, they have all the information to hand.
If you do not see your GP very often, it would be an idea, to make an appointment, and take the letter with you. They really need to be kept in the chain of information about your care.

It is always an option to leave anyone you do not want to be contacted off the form, although it may look odd leaving a GP off the form.

Regards
Munchie