DLA decision

diesel_dog

My neighbour has now been waiting 12 weeks as from tomorrow. Is that usual? Had a letter last weekend saying it's been looked into to but how much longer?

Thanks

dmg24

Thirteen weeks is about the average, however (as you have seen) they are very good at keeping the claimant updated.

cifpower

My friend applied for DLA at the end of Februray when she came out of intensive care. In May they requested a doctor's report. Last month she had a visit from one of their own GPs for an examination. This doctor told her she will get high rate care and mobility and he will write a letter to that effect. 3 weeks later a decision came through and she wasn't awarded anything. She felt so let down. She can barely climb the stair, often doesn't go out for days because if the pain and because of a lymphodema is one leg and cellulitis in the other her mobility really suffers.

I urged her to appeal which she has done. She received another letter from DLA saying the appeal will take at least 11 weeks.

mum-of-3

cifpower wrote: »

My friend applied for DLA at the end of Februray when she came out of intensive care. In May they requested a doctor's report. Last month she had a visit from one of their own GPs for an examination. This doctor told her she will get high rate care and mobility and he will write a letter to that effect. 3 weeks later a decision came through and she wasn't awarded anything. She felt so let down. She can barely climb the stair, often doesn't go out for days because if the pain and because of a lymphodema is one leg and cellulitis in the other her mobility really suffers.

I urged her to appeal which she has done. She received another letter from DLA saying the appeal will take at least 11 weeks.

The doctor that came out to do the medical would not have been the one to decide her claim. His report would have gone to a decision maker for them to look at.

lolly1981

we put our sons claim in on the 25th june we had our award letter today, it is the first time we have claimed. however we did put alot of reports from school and doctors in so i think that helped. they did however tell me i wouldnt get a decision till at least end august spet time.

Richard1075

Depending how the application form was completed and how full the information is presented an application can take a number of months. If the Decision Maker needs clarification from a medical or infomration for the GP or hospital Consultant this all takes time.

As somebody has already said - the person doing a medical is NOT the person making the decision about the claim.

I am afraid it is a waiting game, which is very frustrating. Especially if the claim is refused and you need to make an Appeal.

A quick decision is very unusual and it is normally only made when there is a terminal condition.

lolly1981

Richard1075 wrote: »

Depending how the application form was completed and how full the information is presented an application can take a number of months. If the Decision Maker needs clarification from a medical or infomration for the GP or hospital Consultant this all takes time.

As somebody has already said - the person doing a medical is NOT the person making the decision about the claim.

I am afraid it is a waiting game, which is very frustrating. Especially if the claim is refused and you need to make an Appeal.

A quick decision is very unusual and it is normally only made when there is a terminal condition.

i would like to add that it might be unusual but not unheard of...my sons definatly isnt a terminal condidtion...it does make a huge difference in the decision time if you put in as much available letters from doctors and thiings detailing the problems.
as i said ours was made in about 3 weeks for a 1st claim.

sunnyone

lolly1981 wrote: »

i would like to add that it might be unusual but not unheard of...my sons definatly isnt a terminal condidtion...it does make a huge difference in the decision time if you put in as much available letters from doctors and thiings detailing the problems.
as i said ours was made in about 3 weeks for a 1st claim.

I agree, if you give as much information as possible claims can go through quickly or if its a renewal with loads of evidence it can also be very quick but its certainly not common.

diesel_dog

14 weeks and still nothing.

Slow or what ......

dmg24

diesel_dog wrote: »

14 weeks and still nothing.

Slow or what ......

Would you rather they rushed through claims and incorrectly decided awards?

diesel_dog

Why can't they do both?