Dropped from HRC to MRC, worth appealing?

moochie · 2 June 2010 at 5:23PM

Hi everyone, id appreciate some advice on my situation if possible please!

Since 2008 I’ve been on high rate care and low rate mobility DLA for mental health issues (4 separate conditions), chronic pain and hypermobility. I’ve just received my renewal decision back today and they have dropped me to middle rate care, despite my conditions having got worse over the 2 years.

The reason they have stated I am no longer entitled to high rate care is because ‘’although I am sometimes at risk of danger, you don’t need someone to be awake to watch over you at night, or once for up to around 20 minutes, to prevent danger to you or others’.

This is completely untrue and totally contradicts what was written on my claim form, which was done by my CPN. I have difficulty 7 nights a week and need continual supervision at night, as in someone to always be there for when I am awake in bed or for when I wake up during the night, which I do a lot, to ensure I do not harm myself or get myself into a state. I cannot sleep alone, and I have to have someone there to remind me to take my meds and to watch me until I am asleep, which usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

Basically, I am in a worse way than I was two years ago when I was awarded high rate based upon my difficulties during the day and night. They have not contacted any professionals regarding my health, they have just gone on what is written on the form. Does anyone think it is worth appealing their decision? I've not had chance to speak to my CPN as she is off till next week, so I though id ask people who have much more knowledge of these things than me, and those who have been through it as I know my entire award would be put at risk. It isn’t about the money, though I must admit the drop will affect me negatively, but rather the fact that they have made a decision which I believe is wrong, and which contradicts my form. Even my CPN said given the severity of my condition I would be awarded high rate care again.

I don’t know if it is relevant, but my dose of trazodone has changed since I sent the form in, I am now on 600mg per day.

Any views or advice would be much welcomed as I’m in such a state over it, I know it probably sounds trivial and there are people much worse off but I suffer badly with anxiety and any little upset however small sets me off and I can’t get it out of my head, its taken me hours to write this. I’ve had panic attacks today because I am no longer exempt from medicals and I know I just couldn’t face one, even though no one has even mentioned a medical as yet.

Thanks very much for reading if you got this far

Leanne

stephlou · 2 June 2010 at 8:08PM

Yes you must appeal and I suggest that you seek help in the appeal from an advocate in mental health issues if there is one available in your area or CAB.Certainly ask your CPN for a report that you can submit as further evidence Good luck