Confused re;DLA

bluehills123

I am hoping someone can give me advice as I am very confused.
I have been on DLA higher rate mobility for the last eight years. Briefly I had broken the same leg three times over a period of twenty years and this resulted in my getting severe osteo-arthritis which meant I had to have a knee replacement at forty. Due to the wait for the op I was left with long term back problems. I had my knee replacement seven years ago now and suffer from severe pain in ligaments and tendons at back of leg and also the leg gives way resulting in my falling over at least a couple of times a day. Every step I take is agony and I dont go out anywhere, the rare times I have to someone has to come with me and I have to use a taxi as buses are impossible due to my walking difficulties. My son has to help me with cooking, lifting boiling kettles, hot pans etc as my leg gives way with no warning and I recently tipped hot fat all over me when getting a pan out of the oven which I had to have treated at my GP's. Sorry I am rambling on so I will cut to the point.
Every two years for the past eight years I have been getting my renewal claim form for DLA . I received my claim form just before Christmas, sent it back ten days ago then got a reply this morning [ very quick, normally it takes them a couple of months. ] saying I wasn't entitled to any benefits at all. I am so confused.
Firstly the application form I received said 'New Claim' on the front instead of renewal. Secondly I have been getting this benefit for the last eight years and now my condition has deteriorated slightly they say I am not entitled to anything. Can someone please tell me what is going on? Is this all part of the new system? Has anyone else experienced this? I just don't know what I am going to do, please help.

dmg24

Did you submit evidence with your claim?

bluehills123

They didn't ask for any evidence, never have. Thats what I can't understand.

dmg24

Whilst the criteria have not changed, they are being more stringent in the assessment procedure. You need to appeal and submit medical evidence.

bluehills123

Thanks, but why would they put on my application form NEW CLAIM when it wasn't, it was a renewal.

dmg24

bluehills123 wrote: »

Thanks, but why would they put on my application form NEW CLAIM when it wasn't, it was a renewal.

I think the only people that can answer that would be the team that dealt with your renewal.

sunnyone

bluehills123 wrote: »

Thanks, but why would they put on my application form NEW CLAIM when it wasn't, it was a renewal.

all claims are looked at as new claims, it makes no diffrence if anyone has been getting DLA previously and as dmg has said they are now applying the rules stringently (as they should always have done) so many people who have had awards in the past will find that they are no longer entitled to DLA at all.

Indie_Kid

bluehills123 wrote: »

They didn't ask for any evidence, never have. Thats what I can't understand.

Just because they don't ask for evidence, it doesn't mean you're not allowed to send any. I sent about 8 pages (including a diary and three or four letters from my GP and consultant) of evidence in with my current claim.