When applying for DLA

Careful_with_that_Axe

what constitues as evidence in their eyes? Does anyone know?

Mupette

Well i keep all my hospital letters.

My Neuro consultant has a very nice habit of writing a detailed letter to me and my gp after i have seen him

I can't think of anything else just yet, it's still early and only half way through my first coffee, will think some more.

kaya

Nothing at all, its not based on your medical condition but your ability to do things, i have sent them surgeons reports, 2 mri scans, reports from my pain clinician, they state quite clearly that i have a degenerative diesease and that its getting worse, makes no difference to the teenager with zero medical knowledge that decides on your award, the "decision maker" that phoned me the other day believed that lumbar lordosis was a medical condition (lordosis is the name for the curvature of everybodies lumbar spine), i dispair with the idiots and im off to see my mp tomorrow to try and sort thrm out

Careful_with_that_Axe

Just telephoned them and asked them if they read the correct application form! Even though on two particular ocassions I have blacked out and fallen breaking an elbow and a wrist, I am not in danger from blackouts or causing harm to myself.
I am beyond confused.
To add insult to injury, the letter turning me down enclosed leaflets on Motability cars and disabled road tax.

formaldehyde_perfume

I've got an appointment with CAB tomorrow, I don't know if I should even bother wasting her time as from what I've read on here I'm more than likely to be turned down even with their help.

Urgh, I hate the system.

SingleSue

I'm not even bothering to apply....if others on here get turned down and I see them as being worse than me, then what chance do I have.

formaldehyde_perfume

I believe I am eligible so I am going to fight as far and as hard as I can, but at the same time it does seem rather pointless.

clemmatis

You can never tell. The first time I applied I got nothing but unpleasantness, they didn't even ask my GP, they lost a letter I enclosed and blamed me... I was so disheartened, gave up.
Then a social worker said I should have DLA and filled the forms in (I can't use my hands normally), they rang me after they got the forms, pleasantly, to say they'd need to write to my GP, then they gave it me indefinitely.

TOBRUK

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

Just telephoned them and asked them if they read the correct application form! Even though on two particular ocassions I have blacked out and fallen breaking an elbow and a wrist, I am not in danger from blackouts or causing harm to myself.
I am beyond confused.
To add insult to injury, the letter turning me down enclosed leaflets on Motability cars and disabled road tax.

Hi Careful with that Axe, do they say in the letter that you are not in danger from blackouts or causing harm to yourself although in the section of the form where they ask about 'blackouts and falls' you gave details of the occasions where you blacked out and about a fall where you broke your an elbow and a wrist?

The letter you received about your claim - if it's the same as I received, they first have 'Mobility component' and 'I have awarded you ... rate ... because you are ...

then 'care component' - I have awarded you ... rate of £-- ... because ....

Then uder this it states:
'How I made my decision'

I made my decicision using the information about your illnesses and disabilities from: ...'

The letter you received on one of the pages does say:

If you disagree with or do not understand why we have made this decision ... If you think out decision is wrong, or you have any information that we have not taken into account, please telephone us or write to us within one month from date of this letter and tell us the additional information. We will look at the claim again and may be able to change the decision. If we cannot change it we will tell you why.

I know you phoned them up today but I would write them a letter giving your reasons why you disagree with their decision and ask them if they would please look at your claim again. I always write to them if I have any queries etc as then I have a record.

I had a renewal beginning of the year and I wrote them a letter stating my reasons of why I disagreed with their decision on part of my claim. It was a very detailed letter (two and a half A4 pages) where I gave examples etc. I may have been lucky but they did change their decision. If you really believe that they have made the wrong decision I would write to them within the time given.

If and when you do write, if you can, see your GP and ask if your gp can write a letter in support and if they would explain your difficulties etc. The same with any consultant you have been seeing or health worker, occupational therapist etc. Send them a copy of any letters you can enclose with your letter and send by recorded delivery.

It is worth doing this although it is difficult as you have nothing to lose.

reillyhub

All information entered on your dla pack could be used as evidence. An accurate diary a daily one and a weekly one stating good and bad days or periods suffered because of the disability.Any specific difficulties walking or climbing stairs etc.They will obviously seek medical evidence from your doctor or care provider or consultant etc. DLA is an allowance for people suffering some form of difficulty so they need an payment to enhance them during these difficulties.During these present times they will be stringent with every application so be extra extra extra careful to include all difficulties which limit your everyday life.Dont be disheartened if you first get a refusal there are several appeal processes to be used if necessary.If you look back through previous correspondence some claimants have taken an age and gone through all the appeal stages and got what they are entitled to in the end.Disability alliance have got several handbooks for appeals and a disability rights handbook. Just type in disability alliance on a search engine.Use every tool at your disposal to get money your entitled to. good luck with your claim and i hope you have a speedy settlement.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Thank you people.
Tobruk, they definitievly state I am not at risk of falling and not at risk from dizzy spells or blackouts.

Reading between the pines of things I've done and people I've spoken to today, it would appear that the GPs report is not supportive which is why I haven't even had a medical from them.
Have only seen this gp for about 8 months since my original gp retired. Original gp was incredibly helpful anf supportive so am getting in touch with her and asking her if there's any way she can help me.
am getting better letter from Rheumi and asked him to include details of falls, letter from OT refuting various of the reasons they have turned me down (even though they have evidence from her in terms of an OT assessment carried out in the home), letter from physio etc.

I will write and give specific refuting each of their assumptions, thank you.
I understand that the criteria for HRM and a blue badge are the same, so how come I have a blue badge but don't qualify for a mobility award?

It looks like they have disregarded all evidence and gone on an unsympathetic doctors report as they didn;'t even want me to have a medical.

I will try to fight this, but I've just had so much of the fight knocked out of me recently due to various things.