dla appeal, sorry

hjb123

Any news yet OP? Hope its gone okay!

sured

hi, we lost, absolutely gutted, i feel as if i have let my mother in law down in some way, thanks to you all for your support
love sue x

beanielou

Sorry to hear that.
On what grounds did they refuse?

sured

they said she didn't meet the criteria for care needs!

sured

just wanted to let you know what happened, two of the panel seemed very nice, the doctor and the chairman, the other one looked totally potty.
the chaiman said he could only take evidence for the dates of the claim, so would be asking lots of questions about what things were like at that time,
poor mother in law was then asked question after question on everything, including wiping her bum, which was very embarrasing for her.:eek:
they eventually asked about holidays and she told them we had been to spain but this was some time after the dates mentioned by the chairman, they then asked loads of questions about the airport, how did she manage going through security, waiting to board plane, the chairman even commented on the how large the airport is and how its a long walk to the departure gates. (newcaslte airport):mad:
there were a few other things she could have answered better but on the whole she coped brilliantly with the quick fire questions.
i just feel i let her down by allowing them to question her on something that took place outside of the dates they were supposed to be asking about, i have kicked myself for not stopping them.
i know some people would say well if she can travel to spain etc. but she really is a genuine case, when we were in spain we really did have to stop every 40 metres so she could have rest,
i have looked at tribunals website and may ask for their reasons, but to be honest i think my mother in law has totally lost faith in the system, :rolleyes:
thanks again for all your advice and support,
i am off to drink a flaggon of wine now
love sue x
i just wanted to add the potty one seemed to think losing wieght would help her moblilty, when we said she eats a healthy diet, but had put on wieght since stopping smoking, and found it difficult to lose any because of lack of mobility she suggested that mother in law should starve, how nice was that.

sured

has anyone ever asked for reasons and challenged it?
sorry i know i'm a pest but i feel my mother in law has been let down by the system, and if i can do something to help her i will.
love sue x

hjb123

Sorry to hear that you never got it.

Did you get a sheet or any document stating that you failed and if so did it have the process for appealing that on it?

I think you really need to get some help from the CAB or Welfare Rights who will know all the correct processes etc and help you with forms and attend appeals or hearings with you.

I can totally sympathise with the weight issue, since I became ill I have put on quite a bit of weight and as a result of my lack of mobility I cant seem to lose it and I eat very healthily (now!)

sured

we were given a sheet with details of what to do if we didnt agree, the decision just said appeal rejected, you are right we need help, if i had been experienced as a rep i would have stopped lines of questioning that were out of the dates in question or insulting (starve yourself, its a worry that she's in charge of peoples care), i was just wondering if anybody had appealled against the tribunal. and why cant i spell wieght any more?
thanks

vizcacha

sorry to hear you didn't get it

I've only just seen this thread and don't know what the situation is regarding appealing again but bear in mind - if you can appeal again - that the mobility component is based on how far the applicant can walk BEFORE SEVERE DISCOMFORT so even if your mother in law 'can' walk 50 yards if she is in severe discomfort for 40 of them she can only walk 10 yards. If you had to rest a lot in an airport for example that is relevant.

The way they word it is a nightmare I know, but if you can get help from a local welfare group or the CAB you can find out what your chances are of appealing again, and taking a welfare representative with you this time.

Can your Mother in law cook a full meal from scratch on a daily basis? (chopping up veges etc not ready meals) It doesn't matter that she gets help with this from time to time - only that she NEEDS the help on a daily basis. If she does need help to do this then she is at least entitled to the lower rate of care

I hope you can get some proper help and support
I have found this site very useful in the past

http://www.bhas.org.uk/dla/index.shtml

really hope it works out for you

sured

in the appeal they accepted that she couldnt chop veg etc they concentrated on whether she could cook a meal in the microwave, ... very healthy!