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Confirmation of How *Not* to Fill in the DLA Form

There have been several posts on this board suggesting that the DLA form should be filled in explaining how you are on your worst days only, rather than giving a balanced view of your care and mobility needs. This has now been confirmed in a court case as incorrect.
David Ackerley, defending, said the fraud arose because Lewis "misunderstood" the meaning of the DLA application forms and thought she needed to recount the worst case scenario on the forms.

The case also gives a warning as to what can happen to those who use this approach - yes, you can end up with a custodial sentence for this.
Gone ... or have I?
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Comments

  • pwales_2
    pwales_2 Posts: 523 Forumite
    i was going to post this one , you beat me:D
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,100 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The forms aren't that hard to understand, I don't think. I was always told to put as much detail as possible, put down average day and talk about my disabilities varying and how often that is.
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  • MrsManda
    MrsManda Posts: 4,457 Forumite
    edited 12 January 2011 at 4:20PM
    The form does say to fill it in about an 'average' day.
    When filling out mine I put my worst symptoms as I have more bad days than good, with an additional note for each question stating that my condition varies and therefore I do have days where I can do most things and estimate how many days a week I have a bad day and how many days i have good/so-so days.

    It seemed to me to be the most honest way of filling out the form and stopped me being paranoid about doing things on the occassions I feel relatively ok.
  • I'm glad to see that point's been clarified cus I think it's very important and one that a lot of people don't seem to do/care about.

    Thanks dmg24 :)
  • GlasweJen
    GlasweJen Posts: 7,451 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    thanks DMG24
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    I hope that those organisations who advise people to claim on this basis read the ruling and take note!
  • pwales_2
    pwales_2 Posts: 523 Forumite
    tbh .i think this ruling will get the 20% saving dla are looking for on its own, the amount of people who have said they put down there worst days as normal days are alot
  • Indie_Kid
    Indie_Kid Posts: 23,100 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    pwales wrote: »
    tbh .i think this ruling will get the 20% saving dla are looking for on its own, the amount of people who have said they put down there worst days as normal days are alot

    I agree. On another forum I post, there are many posts where people tell others to do their forms on their worst day. I once pointed out this is fraud. To which someone replied "it's only fraud if you say you need more help than you do" er...
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  • dmg24 wrote: »
    There have been several posts on this board suggesting that the DLA form should be filled in explaining how you are on your worst days only, rather than giving a balanced view of your care and mobility needs. This has now been confirmed in a court case as incorrect.



    The case also gives a warning as to what can happen to those who use this approach - yes, you can end up with a custodial sentence for this.

    Strange that in 1993 when I called the DLA office about my claim they told me specifically to put down about my worst day
    The DWP = Legally kicking the Disabled when they are down.
  • I hope that those organisations who advise people to claim on this basis read the ruling and take note!

    Yes indeed, The DLA people themselves !
    The DWP = Legally kicking the Disabled when they are down.
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