DLA turned down - don't understand why?!

dmg24

Prinzessilein wrote: »

Filling in an 'average' day is the only honest thing to do!

As I explained, I wrote out a diary....so I could say that was housebound on x number of days over a fortnight....that I lost my balance on y number of times et.c.

Obviously, every day is different, but that is precisely why you go for an 'average' description.

I had to fight for my award - with the help of DIAL - but I was completely honest throughout, and got the award I believe is correct.

I think you Mojisola and yourself are saying the same thing, just phrasing it a little differently?

lyniced

Prinzessilein wrote: »

No, you do not!

You need to write about an average day.

I was initially refused DLA. I had help from DIAL. I kept an honest diary of how my condition (ASD) affects me, and brought it to DIAL. They asked a few questions and gave me their honest assessment - that I should be entitled to Care and Mobility at Lower Rate. They dealt with all aspects of the reconsideration(refused again) and appeal (success!.... Lower Rate, both components as DIAL had said!)

It is a struggle, and I sometimes feel that they don't read your first application (the grounds they initially gave for refusing me didn't seem to be about me at al!) ....but you need to be persistent and completely honest!

Well, when I worked at CAB, this is how it was explained to people who needed help filling out forms and this is how I was told to fill it out by some-one who works for the Benefits Office. Anyway, the best advice I can give to the OP is to ring the BEL (Benefit Enquiry Line) and ask their advice. I often directed clients to do that, as they are better placed to answer any quieries. Good luck with your appeal.

Indie_Kid

By filling the form in on your wost day, you're saying you need more help han you actually do. TDLA is based on help you need - not what you currently receive. So you can say "if I had DLA, I could have someone read my mail to me".

dmg24

lyniced wrote: »

Well, when I worked at CAB, this is how it was explained to people who needed help filling out forms and this is how I was told to fill it out by some-one who works for the Benefits Office. Anyway, the best advice I can give to the OP is to ring the BEL (Benefit Enquiry Line) and ask their advice. I often directed clients to do that, as they are better placed to answer any quieries. Good luck with your appeal.

Thank goodness you no longer work there!

Mojisola

The problem with filling out the forms as if every day is an average day is that care needs can be underestimated.

It's very difficult with fluctuating illnesses to be accurate on the forms. You have to do the best you can to get a middle path. It's impossible to say for sure how fit you will be over the next four weeks - maybe quite well and able to manage. You might spend two weeks of the following month laid up and needing help every day. However there are a lot of conditions where this applies so the system shouldn't treat each case as if it's never come across it before, which is how it feels.

Oldernotwiser

lyniced wrote: »

Well, when I worked at CAB, this is how it was explained to people who needed help filling out forms .

Another good reason why people getting help filling in forms is unfair and cheats the system!

lyniced

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Another good reason why people getting help filling in forms is unfair and cheats the system!

Quite a few people had learning difficulties and need help. They are not cheating the system. Perhaps its worth bearing in mind that most CAB workers are voluntary and they do a very worthwhile job.

lyniced

dmg24 wrote: »

Thank goodness you no longer work there!

I was only trying to be helpful to the OP.

Prinzessilein

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Another good reason why people getting help filling in forms is unfair and cheats the system!

Not really.

DIAL helped me get exactly what I was entitled to.

If they were helping me 'cheat the system' they would have filled out the forms in such a way as to give me Middle Rate Care...or maybe Higher Rate for both components!!!

What they actually did was listen to me and my mum, read my diary, and then filled out the form honestly and truthfully. As a result I got a fair judgement, and now receive Lower Rate Care and Mobility.

CAB, DIAL and similar companies do a fantastic job in helping people get that to which they are legally entitled. They do not assist in cheating the system.

lyniced

QUOTE=Prinzessilein;35238731]Not really.

DIAL helped me get exactly what I was entitled to.

If they were helping me 'cheat the system' they would have filled out the forms in such a way as to give me Middle Rate Care...or maybe Higher Rate for both components!!!

What they actually did was listen to me and my mum, read my diary, and then filled out the form honestly and truthfully. As a result I got a fair judgement, and now receive Lower Rate Care and Mobility.

CAB, DIAL and similar companies do a fantastic job in helping people get that to which they are legally entitled. They do not assist in cheating the system.[/QUOTE]

I really don't think people appreciate the work that CAb and other organizations do. As I said most work for nothing, they are seriously under-funded (we all had to muddle in for supplies - robbing our families for paper, old files, pens etc, even old computer equipment) and quite often we were given abuse by clients, which you have to smile through gritted teeth. It is a hard job, but very rewarding too.