Is this commonplace with Disability Living Allowance?

EltonJohnFan

Hi,

As a very severely disabled person I've been on Disability Living Allowance for a longtime and I have to admit that it wasn't easy to have it awarded because I had to go for a medical and get mountains of supporting evidence and written letters from professionals to back up my claim before they'd even think about awarding me the benefit. I was speaking with mum today and she says one of my aunts has just been awarded Disability Living Allowance and that she was awarded it in less than seven days on her first attempt... am I right to be a little bit suspicious? it took me three tries before I got anywhere and months of stress and worry and it just seems a little over the top for someone to be awarded an indefinite award in such as short space of time and especially in these times with the new spending review having just taken place. Can you tell me if this is commonplace or rare? I've never heard of anybody receiving it first time, without a medical and getting an indefinite award too, not jealous and glad my aunt is getting the support she needs after her operation but it does seem a little too good to be true. Thanks for your help

L-M

I'm afraid I cant help much, but I was just awarded higher rate care and mobility, it took 4 weeks, was a first time claim and no medical, however it is not an indefinate award

I think it varies so much from case to case, it is really hard to predict who will get what

McKneff

I hate to say it but I think there is something in the DLA booklet that awards can be fastracked if the person is suffering from Cancer,
I hope this is not the case obviously but it possibly could be the reason.
I'm sure that you or your mum dont know all your aunts personal business.

EltonJohnFan

L-M wrote: »

I'm afraid I cant help much, but I was just awarded higher rate care and mobility, it took 4 weeks, was a first time claim and no medical, however it is not an indefinate award

I think it varies so much from case to case, it is really hard to predict who will get what

Thank you for answering,

I really feel that my aunt thoroughly deserves the support she now seems to be getting as she went through a period of very ill health and it's good to know she can relax a little bit more now. As I say though I was a little bit surprised that she received word so soon as I've never heard of anyone being awarded Disability Living Allowance so quickly, especially in seven days and I know from my own experience just how hard it can be to claim it as a very severely disabled person with a lifetime of mobility and care needs myself.

24skins

There's no real rhyme or reason to it, but as the poster above says under certain circumstances the award can be very quick.

EltonJohnFan

McKneff wrote: »

I hate to say it but I think there is something in the DLA booklet that awards can be fastracked if the person is suffering from Cancer,
I hope this is not the case obviously but it possibly could be the reason.
I'm sure that you or your mum dont know all your aunts personal business.

Oh no

I never realised that, feel really bad now. I don't think she's suffering from cancer because my aunts a really fun loving and honest person. She's extremely open about things with mum and I and she'd tell us if something was bothering her because after we lost one of my cousins it brought my mum and my aunt together and they've been inseperable ever since. I'm hoping it's nothing too serious, really worried now and feel guilty about asking this question. In my heart of hearts I know my aunt and I doubt it's a life threatening illness because I know her well and she'd tell us straight away. I'm just surprised it was awarded so quickly and felt I had to ask this question just to see if it was commonplace or a really rare occurence and under what circumstances (other than cancer) it might be awarded so quickly.

Indie_Kid

McKneff wrote: »

I hate to say it but I think there is something in the DLA booklet that awards can be fastracked if the person is suffering from Cancer,
I hope this is not the case obviously but it possibly could be the reason.
I'm sure that you or your mum dont know all your aunts personal business.

There is something called special rules - DLA is awarded if you have a terminal illness (not always cancer) and are expected to live less than 6 months.

It does vary a lot - I got a reply within 12 weeks, got turned down and got awarded (no tribunal) it after a total of 6 months.

McKneff

I hope this isnt the case obviously and i am a little upset that I have caused you worry.
Talk to your mum tomorrow for reassurance. I think I need some now lol:o

EltonJohnFan

McKneff wrote: »

I hope this isnt the case obviously and i am a little upset that I have caused you worry.
Talk to your mum tomorrow for reassurance. I think I need some now lol:o

Thanks, will do.

I'm sure everything will be fine so try not to worry too much, have a good night wherever you are

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

My friend that I help care for was awarded a "lifetime" award for DLA first time.but she did have a medical at her home.
I hope everything is ok with your aunt,try not to worry though until you find the true facts.

EltonJohnFan

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

My friend that I help care for was awarded a "lifetime" award for DLA first time.but she did have a medical at her home.
I hope everything is ok with your aunt,try not to worry though until you find the true facts.

Good morning,

Thanks for your understanding I'm going to make a point to visit my aunt today if possible just for a chat and to see how she is, makes you really welcome and is a lovely person and it would break my heart to think she's in some sort of pain and not telling us but I don't honestly think she's terminally ill as another poster mentioned as I know her well and she'd have told us to begin with. From what mum was saying I don't think she received a medical at all actually, mum just said she'd applied for Disability Living Allowance and had received it in seven days and then said she remembered the trouble we'd had to get it for me when I was younger and she just stated that they'd must have improved their service a lot between now and then. I have honestly never heard of awards being made so quickly and that is why I wanted to know a little bit more, really has me curious I guess.