Indefinite Awards DLA

Yuki60

Hi!

Just had a thought whilst browsing the forums. I've been on DLA for around 5 years. Firstly lower care and mobility and then from around 6 months ago, higher care and lower mobility. Have seen some people say they have indefinite claims and wondered how that comes about. I keep getting 2 years at a time. This time at tribunal got awarded higher care (Mental health issues) but was for 2 years. Taking into account it was backdated for 8 months, I'll probably get the renewal form yet again soon. They always turn it down for anything above lower and I'll have to go for months without the financial help again whilst waiting for another tribunal. Is there a certain criteria they use for indefinite. Have had my disorder for over 10 years with no change.

Just wondered. Thanks for any help!

kingfisherblue

My son has received high rate care DLA from three months. I had to renew his claim at 1 year, three (when he also started to receive high rate mobility), five and eight. His last award was indefinate.

His nurse specialist from the Children with Disabilities team at SS had worked with children with special needs for her whole career (about thirty years) and said that she had only ever known one other child to receive an indefinate award, so I don't think they are very common for children, probably because children change so much and of course, all children need some form of care.

I didn't do anything to get the indefinate award, it just happened. Until then, I didn't even know an indefinate award existed.

I think that in my son's case, they probably recognised that he had always had ongoing needs both day and night, and these needs were not improving as he developed. He has a syndrome and several conditions that can be managed, but not cured and will never live independently. In fact, despite always needing a high level of care, his nan said the other day about how much more care he needs compared to a few months ago.

So I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but good luck with the next set of forms. You might find it helpful to ask somebody from the Welfare rights service at your local council to help you fill them in.

Yuki60

Thanks for the help

dmg24

MH problems are very rarely given indefinite awards, due to the fact that they can vary over time. As kingfisherblue said, indefinite awards are only granted where there is little (or no) possibility of the claimants condition improving. Also, an indefinite award does not mean that the award will not be reviewed over time, most with indefinite awards still receive a form every few years.

TOBRUK

I have just been awarded an indefinte award for HRM and LRC. I have had DLA for about 13 years now, the first time I applied I was turned down and went to tribunal where I was then awarded LRM for 2 years. The second time on renewal I also took it to tribunal and won HRM for 2 years and since then it has always been for a term of 3 years. Then 6 years ago I was awarded Low Care rate, and past 3 years MCR. My mobility needs and care needs have been increasing over the past few years.

I think the decision was made because I will not improve on looking at the evidence. An Indefinite award does not mean that you won't have a renewal form again in the future, they may decide to send me a renewal form in 3, 4, 5 years - who knows?!:)

Trialia

It's more or less when they don't think that you'll ever get 'better' enough to come off that. I have HRM and LRC on an indefinite because my three main conditions are incurable and barely treatable.

Prinzessilein

When I was awarded my DLA (after appeal) I was immediately given it as an indefinite award LRC and LRM. I was told that this was because they accepted that I am not going to get any better (it's more likely that things will get wosre over the years). I was also told that 'indefinite' does not mean that it won't be reviewed.

Saversue

I have also asked for my DLA to be made indefinite after nine years, with three awards for 2 then 3 then 4 years. When the renewal came it was only for one year,so I have asked them to review the length and once again asked for indefinite.
Every day I look for the brown envelope and when it comes I shall be too afraid to open it as I understand that awards can be reduced as well as increased - at the moment I get HRC and HRM.
I saw my Psychiatrist last week and he said considering all my problems, both he or my GP would support me. I have both mobility and mental health problems, which are not going to improve.
Its a horrible process and I fully understand that only a few are entitled to an indefinite award. Good luck with your son kingfisherblue

When asking for help from CAB be aware that they may not be able to advise you, in my area you have to be on some form of Means tested Benefit or Pass their own Benefit Assessment.Not everyone who receives DLA falls into this category, though looking at the Benefits System we seem to be worse off financially.

kendalls_cave

I have an indefinite award for mental health issues. I get HRC and LM. I had to keep applying for it for about 10 years for before I got the indefinite award.

sunnyone

I was awarded 2 years, then another 2 years before I got my indefinate award and each award was given without any problems, I got HRM and MRC each time.

I asked for a reconsideration a couple of years ago when I started to have greater night time needs and I got the care rate changed to HRC and indefinate awards.

rosysparkle

I was awarded HRM indefinitely with my first claim, as it's unlikely I'll get any better.