DLA tribunals - do they question you how you would spend any award?

luminated

I recall, many weeks ago on another forum, reading about the typical questions the visiting doctor may ask. Also the typical questions the panel may ask at a tribunal - if the claim went that far.

One or more posted that they had been asked how they would spend the extra money if they were successful in their claim and other posters were getting a little worried should they say the wrong thing.

So with my claim in for over a month now I am thinking will I get asked this and is there a 'right' or 'wrong' way to answer. I am NOT asking for tips on how to 'buck the system' but genuinely feel worried in case I put my foot in it unintentionally. How do the decision makers expect you to answer in the most appropriate way?

Any help would be gratefully received.

A_Flock_Of_Sheep

It depends what your disability is and your care needs. If you were to say that you would spend the money shopping online, getting someone to fetch your groceries, childcare or paying bills or the rent/mortgage then that will probably NOT impress.

However here are a couple of examples but they may not be relevant to you:

• ADDITIONAL cost (above normal bill) of electricity/water due to more washing as a result of - incontinence

• ADDITIONAL cost (above normal bill) of electricity/gas due to feeling the cold as a result of effects of disability or being immobile

• Additional travel costs incurred as a result of disability - traveling companion for example.

• Household appliances that may make living easier. Cordless Iron, plastic tableware if you are prone to dropping things.

• Subscription/Installation costs to personal safety alert alarm system.

• Payment towards a stairlift.

I am not listing any more - if only that you should know any additional costs of YOUR own difficulties. DLA is paid for the additional costs incurred as a result of a disability. Something that is often forgotten.

The DWP state that DLA is paid to help you live independently. So - how does DLA enable you to live independently?

luminated

A_Flock_Of_Sheep wrote: »

It depends what your disability is and your care needs. If you were to say that you would spend the money shopping online, getting someone to fetch your groceries, childcare or paying bills or the rent/mortgage then that will probably NOT impress.

I guess I would have said more online shopping as we started doing this some months ago as the only sensible way of getting the food cupboard stocked. Even my wife who would shop regularly has been hit by her own health problems.

However here are a couple of examples but they may not be relevant to you:

• ADDITIONAL cost (above normal bill) of electricity/water due to more washing as a result of - incontinence

Not me.

• ADDITIONAL cost (above normal bill) of electricity/gas due to feeling the cold as a result of effects of disability or being immobile

Definitely, definitely me.

• Additional travel costs incurred as a result of disability - traveling companion for example.

I had to stop driving at the start of this year and I find buses a No No for various reasons so I am stuck in more and I guess taxis could be handy for the important trips.

• Household appliances that may make living easier. Cordless Iron, plastic tableware if you are prone to dropping things.

Due to my bodies poor temperature control we bought a bedroom aircon system some years ago and I am worrying as it doesn't seem as good as it was initially.

• Subscription/Installation costs to personal safety alert alarm system.

No need yet.

• Payment towards a stairlift.

Just started using my first walking stick but I walk very little due to the discomfort and fear of falling. I can get up the stairs now and we live in rented so stairlifts may prove an issue if one of my health conditions progresses that far.

I am not listing any more - if only that you should know any additional costs of YOUR own difficulties. DLA is paid for the additional costs incurred as a result of a disability. Something that is often forgotten.

The DWP state that DLA is paid to help you live independently. So - how does DLA enable you to live independently?

Thank you so much for the pointers flockofsheep. I am very grateful. I really am starting to think I have been reading forums for too long and perhaps getting some right advice but some wrong advice and that my perception is corrupted:eek:

I have been unable (prefer this to saying disbaled) to carry on with my life, as would a normal person, for years and have been unable to work for about four years. Not even part time because of how my health affects my life. Not forgetting how it has affected my wifes life.

I have given a little more information, in red above, and your post will make me think it through more logically.

Thanks again.

dori2o

They may ask how it would benefit you to have DLA, but there is no legal reason for them to ask. The whole idea of the tribunal is to decide whether or not you meet the criteria based on your mobility (or lack thereof) and the needs you require in order to take care of yourself.

luminated

dori2o wrote: »

They may ask how it would benefit you to have DLA, but there is no legal reason for them to ask. The whole idea of the tribunal is to decide whether or not you meet the criteria based on your mobility (or lack thereof) and the needs you require in order to take care of yourself.

Exactly what I had been thinking but (along with many others awaiting the outcome of a claim) I guess I am getting somewhat jumpy? Jumpy because a sucessful award would mean the earth to me with my current position and finances.

formaldehyde_perfume

I would find it incredibly difficult to keep records of everything I spend my DLA on, not because I don't spend it correctly, but because I simply don't see my life like that (and if/when I do it will lessen my quality of life by reinforcing what I am unable to do on a daily basis) and it would be incredibly difficult for things like the electricity bill because things like my mobility scooter have to be plugged in constantly, I wouldn't know where to start to add up the cost of that. My winter heating bill is the same as some well off family households, who is to say how much extra should be allowed for heating for the disabled? In summer, I run an electric fan some of the time because my body doesn't deal with either variant of temperature well so I can overheat.... Urgh. I can't go on with this paragraph, it's stressing me out. I'm going to go and enjoy the sunshine