DLA - not sure if should advise circumstance change

AlwaysHappy

Evening all, just a quickie if I may. I currently receive DLA for my son which has now been signed off until he is 16, so at that point I threw my paperwork away (should have kept a copy on hindsight). I get lower mobility rate for him but middle care component, which was upped from lower at the last review. However, since then he has started to have to wear leg braces during the night and I am now getting up at least twice in the night to help with toileting and getting the blooming things back on. I'm not sure if I should advise them but am really worried that I would have to complete the paperwork again - I have M.E now and trouble with my memory and concentration so can't remember what I put down in order to get it in the first place. Would they send me a copy of my application do you think or should I not bother? Many thanks

kingfisherblue

You should be able to request a copy of the form that you sent in originally.

McKneff

I Really dont understand why you would want the previous one. Do you not think that they may wonder why also.

Just fill in the new form as things are today and you cant go wrong.................

Indie_Kid

McKneff wrote: »

I Really dont understand why you would want the previous one. Do you not think that they may wonder why also.

Just fill in the new form as things are today and you cant go wrong.................

From what I've read on here, it doesn't seem to be an unusual request.

Bryando

I got a copy of my application, no problems. Just phoned and asked. To suggest to ''keep up with your fairy stories'' is offensive!

We ALL have a legal right to information on us!

AlwaysHappy

I see that the offensive post re fairy stories has been removed (thanks), my son is registered disabled and goes to a special needs school so I don't have to make it up,just, like I said I have M.E and therefore suffer from memory and concentration problems. Thanks for all the advice.

Swan_2

AlwaysHappy, they won't wonder why you want copies, you should get the records quite quickly, but if they don't turn up after a week or so, don't worry, just call & ask again


EDIT ... before we got a proper diangnosis for my son (took till he was 22, I know it's not necessary to have one, but in this instance it helped) I used to have to write screeds & screeds, which was very stressful & could take me weeks

given how long & complex the forms are it was really useful to have a reference, I was always afraid I'd leave something out by mistake

alwaysonthego_2

McKneff wrote: »

I Really dont understand why you would want the previous one. Do you not think that they may wonder why also.

Just fill in the new form as things are today and you cant go wrong.................

We always photocopy client's DLA forms just incase their claim needs to be appealed so the benefits welfare workers can refer to them.

qwertyuiop12345

I keep a copy of my forms because if it comes to renewal time and nothing has changed I will get a friend or relative to copy all the information on to the renewal form and not have to be exhausted by the effort of filling in the forms. If there are any changes to my situation I could go through it and make these. It is just common sense to not do all the work again from the beginning - nothing to do with whether or not the information is true or "fairy stories".

In fact, if the person claiming wasn't really ill or disabled it would probably be easy to make stuff up to fill in the form, but for genuine claims these forms can be stressful and exhausting. Anyone who can't understand why the OP should quite rightly want a copy of the last form just can't have any understanding of chronic illness!

With regards to the initial question - Personally I would report a change. When I found I consistently needed help during the night I reported a change and was upgraded to higher rate care. There is always a risk that something else could happen, but it sounds like your son would now fit the requirements for HRC.

millym

As a fellow ME sufferer I really sympathise with you. I find the forms an absolute nightmare, so have now kept copies to make it easier in future.

Must be really hard for you, being ill and having to look after your son. Hope you get it sorted.

AlwaysHappy

Thanks so much for the advice, think I will give them a ring and then take it from there.