How do I cancel my DLA claim.

petrolhead.

SandraScarlett wrote: »

I understand exactly what Petrolhead is saying. My husband has all the anxiety problems mentioned, but he found an easy way to cope with them - he leaves it all to me! I complete forms on a voluntary basis, for friends and friends-of-friends, and my contact details are with Age Concern, and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of information required.

As most of these people are in the same age category as my husband (in their 70s), they have an inbuilt distrust of letting people "know their business", and, as someone else posted, that is why so many fail to claim Pension Credit, even though this generation have probably worked for decades and paid in far more than they would ever get out.

I know you're anxious Petrolhead, but can I make a suggestion please? Try not to worry too much until you get notification by way of a letter, or form about your benefit. Then contact your local branch of Age Concern and ask if they have a volunteer who would help you. Those of us who do this aren't interested in your financial affairs and whether you're entitled to anything or not.

All we are there to do is help, not judge. If there is nobody available at your local Age Concern, then the CAB can help. The worst thing I could say is "don't worry", because I know you will, but just don't do anything rash like giving up what you are perfectly entitled to. Take care. HTH

xx

Hello,
I wish my wife was able to help out with the forms. She has difficulties remembering things never mind the arthritis in her hands and wrists.

Yes it was me also that posted about Pension Credit. You have certainly got the right end of the stick on that one. There is no way on this earth I would even contemplate filing that form out, thay ask too many questions and it makes me feel like I am begging for help.
That's the reason I claim ESA (contribution based) as it relates to what I have paid in to the system.
And yes I know that I need not claim that but get Pension Credit instead.

I actually contacted Age UK, DIAL & CAB about a possible claim for DLA for myself. This was because I have been having constant discussions (or should say, instructions) from my GP & Consultant over it.
I obtained the application form and to each before they started, I asked if it was going to be a certainty or should I be expected to appear at a Tribunal to plead my case. All three said that there was no certainty in it, and yes I might have to take the claim to the Tribunal. Well my answer was - forget it!. Been there with my ESA claim and it looks like I will be going again. It was horrendous. Never again. As I have said, if my current re-assessment is a failure, I'd sooner take up at p/t job!

I appreciate your helful advice and offer, but to be honest, I just couldn't cope with anymore of this 'you have it, you may have it, you can't have it, you could have it'.
I thought I was one of the few that felt like this but it seems that there are a lot more that think the same.

And finally as regards DLA, I maybe ill (seriously in fact) but I am NOT disabled! I do hate people who suggest that being ill is the same as being disabled.

sweetersong

petrolhead. wrote: »

And finally as regards DLA, I maybe ill (seriously in fact) but I am NOT disabled! I do hate people who suggest that being ill is the same as being disabled.

It depends, a disability is defined as

"'A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out day-to-day activities.' "

So it could be the people you think are using their illness as a disability falseley to have substansial effects on their day to day activities due to the illness, and this does then make it a disability, its less about what the condition is, and more about how it effects them.

SandraScarlett

As well as having an artificial knee, associated mobility problems and Multiple Systems Atrophy, with all that entails, my husband also has severe arthritis just about everywhere, and often says if he went for an MOT he'd fail!

I know it can be horrendous to contemplate attending a tribunal, and if it transpires that this will be the only way you can get your benefits, then of course you have the option to refuse.

All I'm trying to advise is that you don't cancel your claim yet. Wait until you're asked to attend a tribunal, and, if you don't want to go, I would suggest you incorporate your reasons for non-attendance in a letter. You could say the stress is too much for you, etc etc, and if they decide that you won't get your benefit, it's their decision and not yours.

When you're asked to attend a tribunal, PM me, and I would be more than happy to help you with a letter. HTH

xx

Billy_two_speakers

merlin68 wrote: »

I have a motability car on DLA is it possible to cancel my DLA, I just can't deal with all the stress of all the changes coming in.

you have a three year contract,if lose dla then you can return the car if you become too sick to drive and cant get a named driver then you can return it.... but to just stop when you still have dla might not be allowed.

just because they are moving the goal posts and calling dla a new name does not change how ill you are, there is still a good chance that under the new rules you would get the same award, if you read up on the changes the DWP tell you that dla numbers will be cut by 20% at the lower end of claims

you really should wait and see

Oldernotwiser

Doom_and_Gloom wrote: »

You are the one who said the OP could cancel their mobility car and save the money instead and build up 'a small nest egg'. However how do you know they would be able to save the money? No car could mean having to get loads of taxis instead and/or getting trains as they have to use other transportation to get around. I don't know about your area but taxis are not cheap and having to rely on them is a b!tch due to costs - last time I used a taxi it cost £20 to get where I needed to go (one way)! I have never spent less than £5 on a taxi one way that is for sure. No car may mean getting food delieverd and the delievery charge that goes with that - minimum £3.50 as you have to spend £100 to get it free!

Basically a few taxis, a train trip and a food delievery a week could easily see the OP's mobility component go if they had no car. There may be no or little way for them to save the money at all. There may be a huge worry about losing it in reality it's just that some people can't handle the stress of the unknown. OP I worry that you aren't thinking about the stress that you could suffer from from doing what you are saying. It's one thing worrying about the possibility of losing money but it's quite another to worry about the lack of money you have when it happens - you are planning just that. I fear you will cause yourself to stress if you cancel your claim. Please think about this fully.

I only made this suggestion because the OP talked about giving up DLA/Motability entirely because he's worried about losing it. Personally, I don't see any reason for doing anything at present.

SandraScarlett

I think a lot of people are getting "worried in advance", when we do not know what the new rules will be and when they will be implemented. I believe that the findings will not be made until mid-February, with the newly named benefits being implemented in 2012/2013 - is that correct?

If that's so, it's not going to be beneficial to worry needlessly about something that isn't going to happen for 2 or 3 years, and for those suffering from stress and/or depression, worrying is only going to compound their condition.

I always advocate not burying your head in the sand, and sticking forms in a drawer, but by the same token, it's not going to help worrying about something that may not happen.

Everybody knows someone, or at least knows someone who knows someone, who is swinging the lead, but the genuine claimants far outweigh those who might be classed as "iffy"!

BTW, someone mentioned that if you are awarded DLA before retirement age, you can then apply for Attendance Allowance. You can't. Similarly, though I received Carer's Allowance when I was under 60, once I got my State Pension it stopped.

xx

Brassedoff

petrolhead. wrote: »

So we have to await our fate until the next election?

It is so wrong to say that the changes will NOT affect the claim. If that is the case why the change?

People like me and others on this thread are dreading what is instore.

Of course we are going to worry, it's the very nature of being ill or disabled that makes us that way. We have no control over our lives - changes will be made and there is nothing we can do about them.

Whether DLA is hard to get or not is immaterial, are you suggesting that the OP keeps the benefit because after the changes it may not be possible to obtain it again?

DLA is there - for every genuine case. The way the benefit has to be claimed and the pressure put upon the claimant thereafter is intolerable and into the mix we add the unknowing changes for the future.

If the OP is happy to give it up they should be allowed to do so and not feel pressurised into changing their mind. If they are happier without the benefit then that must come first!

What pressure do you get once you have been awarded DLA? Personally I have had none. I suppose the only pressure someone might get is if the exaggerated their claim and get stressed remembering what they said they could not do, but end up doing it!

As other posters have said, these changes will only come in once the next election is done and the Con-libs will be out and Labour will scrap any proposals to buy votes.

Also, posters have advised giving their keys back. I did not think you could do that. A three year lease is a three year lease. If you can, I will chuck mine in and get a higher spec car.

Indie_Kid

Brassedoff wrote: »

What pressure do you get once you have been awarded DLA? Personally I have had none.

I've had none either.

Also, posters have advised giving their keys back. I did not think you could do that. A three year lease is a three year lease. If you can, I will chuck mine in and get a higher spec car.

I think you can if your circumstances change - ie, you've gone from using sticks to using a wheelchair and need a bigger boot for this.

Brassedoff

petrolhead. wrote: »

Hello,

And finally as regards DLA, I maybe ill (seriously in fact) but I am NOT disabled! I do hate people who suggest that being ill is the same as being disabled.

Your last sentiment is something I applaud. Perhaps the name of the benefit is wrong as many claimants are ill, but most cetainally not disabled. In any respect. Change will take years to drive through. The ESA changes are big enough for them at present.

Indie_Kid

petrolhead. wrote: »

I obtained the application form and to each before they started, I asked if it was going to be a certainty or should I be expected to appear at a Tribunal to plead my case. All three said that there was no certainty in it, and yes I might have to take the claim to the Tribunal. Well my answer was - forget it!. Been there with my ESA claim and it looks like I will be going again. It was horrendous. Never again. As I have said, if my current re-assessment is a failure, I'd sooner take up at p/t job!

huh? In another thread, you said you're on ESA "Because the alternative is to claim JSA and go through all of that rubbish. ESA pays the same amount. I am looking for a job, as I know the Jobcentre will never have my career advertised. Specialist agencies is where I am at. I have had one offer to have a chat with a firm in the new year but the travelling distance is not possible due to my medical condition. But given that appeals are taking upwards of 12 months to hear, I have that time to find employment."

In other words, you're trying to scam the system!:mad: