DLA renewal refused 2 days b4 xmas!!

aimingforadebtfreelife

What a Xmas we are going to have!!

My son who has ADHD has been claiming DLA for the last 2 years, the renewal forms came through and duly filled in. Nothing has changed since his initial application apart from he has got worse and his medication increased. He needs constant supervision and has speech problems. We had a letter to say they were going to contact his school for a report - we phoned and said as he had just moved up to juniors they will have only knew him for a month or so and gave his ADHD nurse as a contact.

On the 22nd December we get a letter to say the renewal is declined and states that you get DLA if you "can walk but need guidance or supervision to get around in places you do not know well". Which is exactly my sons scenario which we explained on the forms. We find out they only contacted the school and not our ADHD nurse, which school is a safe environment and they see him on his full medication.

Losing DLA will be financial ruin to us. We know of the appeal process which we are going to go through now my question is does anyone know is it better to appeal in the first instance by letter yourself to the DLA or get someone to do it for you ie council benefits officer? Will the DLA people take more notice if it comes from an official?

Any help greatly appreciated. My son came out of hospital on Friday after a operation for his reflux, we were stressed out on that day only to be greeted by the DLA letter - merry xmas DLA :mad:

spanner82

what does the DLA pay for - do you need to pay for things to help your son? Did they provide money for certain things you need to pay for?

My mum gets DLA due to her MS - it pays for some taxis so she can go to the shops etc as she cannot drive anymore and pays for someone to help her out a few hrs a week.

I think you should appeal - but perhaps get a letter form his nurse in with your appeal.

hjb123

Sorry to hear that.

After Christmas you ought to get in touch with someone from your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights Service and they should be able to help you appeal and fill in forms etc. Get letters or statements from any professionals - medical or otherwise that know how your son is affected.

Good Luck, and try to enjoy Christmas - I know last Christmas I was in a similar but not the same situation - my Incapacity Benefit had been stopped as they considered me fit to work and I had to appeal - luckily in March at the appeal I won the appeal and a nice backpayment!

Turning_into_scrooge

sorry to hear of your refusal, DLa seem to be either refusing or lowering the award level for some reason even though they say the rules have not changed. I went to appeal with the help of #Welfare Rights back in June this year due to my award being lowered from middle to low rate. I felt they were calling me a liar and like you the drop in money was going to be a nightmare as well as that my son was claiming carer's allowance as he is my main carer. Contact Welfare Rights at your local council, try from Wednesday on wards or email them telling them everything which is what i did, they phoned me back at 9.30 am the next morning and arranged to come and see me. They did everything for me and my middle rate was re instated without having to go to the full appeal. I think they tend to take more notice for bodies such as CAB and Welfare Rights rather than just yourself. What ever you decide to do don't give up and best of luck.

aliyah

hi

dont despair! i agree with other posters, try Welfare Rights - I was in exactly the same position as you last summer for my son who has ADHD. The initial report from school was completed after he had only been a student there for about 3 weeks, meaning a lack of info, so on this basis the DLA renewal was refused.
Try phoning DLA immediately and asking for a reconsideration. They will ask for your opinion and up to date info. Bear in mind that DWP may think that because your son's medication has increased that he is therefore calmer, so causing less 'difficulties' for you as a result. Be ready to argue your case.
Act quickly and good luck
x

aliyah

ps - hope it didnt spoil Christmas for you . Keep us up to date with how you get on.

Happy New Year