DLA suggestions needed

gingergee

Glad you have finally got somewhere!! I too applied in nov (last yr). They rang me yesterday to tellme a decision had been made, but wouldnt tell me over the phone. He did say it was in case i disagreed, but somehow didnt think i would!!! so fingers crossed!!! Nice to hear a positive outcome from you though, hope you start feeling better soon xxx

dori2o

Muttley, congratulations.

I know first hand how bad Tribunals can be.

I lost the first one because I admitted to them I had been on holiday. They asked the question and I had no reason to lie to them.

They claimed that if I was fit enough to go on holiday I didn't need DLA. This was despite me explaining that I hired a wheelchair for the week we were in a caravan. The person on the Tribunal who deals with care needs was horrible, wanting to know where I had hired it from, what costs, where exactly in Blackpool was this 'wheelchair hire shop'.

The Judge even suggested that my limp was 'over exaggerated', whilst the Dr was dismissive of my diagnosis of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, stating that it was not possible for me to be in pain all the time, and that CRPS is a minor condition.

It took me in all 4 years to get the award my condition deserves, and then only because I managed to stumble onto case law that fitted my condition to the letter and I presented that, with an excellent letter from my GP to the Tribunal, who in this case were excellent. The Dr and the person who deals with care needs even spoke to me at length after the hearing to advise me of different aids, treatments that may help my condition.

The process as a whole though is a nightmare, and I will have it all to go through again in 19 months time. The process made me quite ill and I very nearly had to stop the fight in June last year when I collapsed (my 9 yr old daughter found me on the stairs unconscious) due to the significant stress that was being placed upon me.

clemmatis

I am so glad, muttley, though also, of course, so sorry it took so long and was so difficult.

Muttleythefrog

dori2o wrote: »

Muttley, congratulations.

I know first hand how bad Tribunals can be.

I lost the first one because I admitted to them I had been on holiday. They asked the question and I had no reason to lie to them.

They claimed that if I was fit enough to go on holiday I didn't need DLA. This was despite me explaining that I hired a wheelchair for the week we were in a caravan. The person on the Tribunal who deals with care needs was horrible, wanting to know where I had hired it from, what costs, where exactly in Blackpool was this 'wheelchair hire shop'.

The Judge even suggested that my limp was 'over exaggerated', whilst the Dr was dismissive of my diagnosis of Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, stating that it was not possible for me to be in pain all the time, and that CRPS is a minor condition.

It took me in all 4 years to get the award my condition deserves, and then only because I managed to stumble onto case law that fitted my condition to the letter and I presented that, with an excellent letter from my GP to the Tribunal, who in this case were excellent. The Dr and the person who deals with care needs even spoke to me at length after the hearing to advise me of different aids, treatments that may help my condition.

The process as a whole though is a nightmare, and I will have it all to go through again in 19 months time. The process made me quite ill and I very nearly had to stop the fight in June last year when I collapsed (my 9 yr old daughter found me on the stairs unconscious) due to the significant stress that was being placed upon me.

Sounds like your initial experience of tribunal was no better than mine. The 'care person' on my panel seemed extremely timid and failed to ask any important questions or get answers to ones she did (GP kept interrupting her and me with outbursts and political statements). But the dismissive nature again is familiar... I was quizzed by the GP at tribunal regarding whether I had to wash my hands regularly due to OCD and got the distinct impression his understanding of the condition and the effects it can have was no more than the average Joe on the street. With any luck (although I'm not entirely hopeful) PIP will have less burden on applicant and your next DLA reassessment will be last necessary. Your other experience of tribunal highlights how hit and miss these things are. In fact the whole process is.

All the best for the future!

Muttleythefrog

gingergee wrote: »

Glad you have finally got somewhere!! I too applied in nov (last yr). They rang me yesterday to tellme a decision had been made, but wouldnt tell me over the phone. He did say it was in case i disagreed, but somehow didnt think i would!!! so fingers crossed!!! Nice to hear a positive outcome from you though, hope you start feeling better soon xxx

They must be kicking into gear..lol.. sounds like a decent award coming... but what a bizarre reason for not telling you... must be policy. Ironically the day of my decision I'd tried to get through for update but gave up... just as well probably if they wouldn't have given the result... bad enough thinking brown envelopes arriving are the DLA decision... knowing a one is would probably have seen me off..lol. I think when I saw the MRC award I might have flashed at passers-by on my street accidentally.. try not to do the same

gingergee

Im wondering if it was because they rang me? And the letter hadn't been sent at that point? Im toying with the idea of ringing them to confirm what was said yesterday tbh? Then asking? Surely now, they can tell me, it is about me after all!!! xx No flashing for me! Unless the pheasents want a peek??? Live in middle of nowhere with nothing but fields around mex

Anubis_2

They are not allowed to tell you over the phone, just wait for your letter.

gingergee

I rang them! HRC and HRM awarded from 23/11/11. Happy is an understatement!!! x

Anubis_2

gingergee wrote: »

I rang them! HRC and HRM awarded from 23/11/11. Happy is an understatement!!! x

Hmm if they told you over the phone, someone is breaking policy. How long is the award for?

Muttleythefrog

gingergee wrote: »

I rang them! HRC and HRM awarded from 23/11/11. Happy is an understatement!!! x

Drinks are on you..lol. Congratulations.