DLA claim being reexamined.

ipadgirl

I am a long-serving member of MSE but am posting this anon, as I dont want to be judged on the health issues I prefer to keep private.
I receive HRC and HRM, and my award is due to run until January 2015. Today I received a claim pack from DWP telling me to complete the details by the end of next week, as they want to reconsider my award. Is this because of the cuts, or has someone (falsely) reported me - but dont see how as no-one knows I'm getting this (no-one else's business).
Now before anyone starts with "Well if you've got nothing to hide..." I know from a very close personal experience that ATOS etc dont always work like that.
I cant get an appointment with my GP until next Wednesday, so need to do forms before then as they need to be posted by Thursday and I cant think about anything else at the moment, the stress is making me iller and it seems that whenever I think I'm settled and can cope something else comes along to kick me in the b%^$£.

jetta_wales

Ring them to insist on more time it's ridiculous for them to expect you do it in such short notice. You need time to get up to date supporting evidence from your GP or specialist and you need time to arrange help to fill them in perhaps or to get somebody to post them for you, you can think of many reasons why you need a reasonable amount of time I'm sure so list them all to them.

Have you had any other claim reviewed like ESA by ATOS? It seems these are getting sent to all other benefit departments when they're done and then they are treated as new evidence and trigger a review. If not it could just be a random check but I can't help but think their random checks are just a cover for 'we won't tell you why'.

jetta_wales

Can't blame you for posting anon btw with the way this place gets some times.

daska

Hey, you're not alone, ATOS also like to to do random checks on people who aren't claiming ESA any more... I bet some of you think I'm joking, just wait until you get the letter telling you a benefit you're not claiming might be stopped if you don't attend. Lady at the JC+ couldn't stop laughing. P.S it wasn't me but I went along for the giggle factor.

I think Jetta's right, ring and get an appt with the CAB and then ring the DWP and tell them when that and your GP appt is and that you won't be able to return forms without their help. If they won't extend then contact your MP.

mcculloch29

All the best with this. You'll want good advice swiftly - have you used the BBC's Ouch! forum?

This disability centred forum is a great source of help. Advice I received on there helped me to rightly claim DLA (HRM, indefinite).

The regulars will also be very interested in your experience as many are collating such examples of the way the system is openly hostile to claimants.

[Deleted User]

if they are asking you to re-apply then you should be given at least 4 weeks to do so
its unusual if you have a fixed time award(i.e you last ward said it would run out in 2015)so i would definatelt tele them and ask why they are re-assessing you,it could just be an error
did you keep a copy of the last application?if so use that,just updating where needed)

ipadgirl

Hi again,
Firstly to clarify, no I have never had any examination with ATOS, I am on IS with SDP.
I was going to call them as you suggested, but I think the best thing to do is jump through their hoops with the min fuss else it looks like I am panicing (which I am!) and that I have something to hide.
I would probably feel better if I could get the GP out the way sooner, but I will fill the forms, take them with me on Wednesday and, hopefully, get her on my side and then crooss fingers, toes and all other bodily parts!

Dippypud

Don't just jump through the hoops, ring them up and ask for more time.

Make an appointment to see CAB or your case / social worker if you have one, this is to help you fill the forms in correctly.

Don't worry, many people are having their DLA reveiwed, you must get help in filling in the forms, it's a real pain doing it your self.

You can get some good advice here...http://http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/home

Hope this helps:cool:

dmg24

Dippypud wrote: »

Don't just jump through the hoops, ring them up and ask for more time.

Make an appointment to see CAB or your case / social worker if you have one, this is to help you fill the forms in correctly.

Don't worry, many people are having their DLA reveiwed, you must get help in filling in the forms, it's a real pain doing it your self.

You can get some good advice here...http://http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/home

Hope this helps:cool:

Don't ever pay for advice from Benefits and Work. It is disgusting that someone would charge to help someone claim welfare benefits. CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights etc will all give this help for free.

sardine

dmg24 wrote: »

Don't ever pay for advice from Benefits and Work. It is disgusting that someone would charge to help someone claim welfare benefits. CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights etc will all give this help for free.

Yes they used to, but there are restrictions now - well they are were I live.

CAB - you will get no help with anything unless you are able to claim the old Legal Aid. Have too much income or capital and you will be turned away.

DIAL - they are so overwhelmed with callers that they are rationing what help they can give.

WELFARE RIGHTS - they went down the pan a few years back when the council cut back on funding.

Tried all of these, Age UK do help, but again you have to be over 60 and with limited resources.

If you can come up with some more, I would love to know where they are.

In the meantime I filled in my DLA claim last week myself exactly as per the notes attached to it as a test just to see what happens.
The country is getting worse.

daska

dmg24 wrote: »

Don't ever pay for advice from Benefits and Work. It is disgusting that someone would charge to help someone claim welfare benefits. CAB, DIAL, Welfare Rights etc will all give this help for free.

ROFLMAO

I think expecting to get urgent help from any of these is a bit rose-tinted. e.g. last time I tried to use the CAB I rang over 100 times before getting through - at which point there was no-one who could help me - and it would cost me £25 to get to my 'local' office for a sit and wait interview. Our local council has misappropriated the 'supporting people' budget so there are no support workers, DIAL and CAB are hideously overstretched.