DLA needing to appeal

essbee_3

I got my claims leaflet through today telling me i'm not entitled to DLA so need advice on what to do when I speak to the advisor on the phone on the 4th. Cant speak to them before then as its the holidays.

I have ME which changes depending on the day but is frequently getting worse and can leave me housebound / bed bound.

When I have bad days I am unable to cook for myself, am confinded to my bedroom, cant stand without help as I get incredibly dizzy and have to take a taxi everywhere as I get incredibly sore.

How they can say i'm not entitled is beyond me.

Has anyone gone through similar when their condition does change?

Any tips for the appeal process?

I'm currently a student and registered as a disabled student so how I can be disabled one place and not another I just dont understand.

Thanks!

Gemmzie

My tip would be to get a Welfare Officer to help you.

ME is a varying condition so always state what you are like on your worse days and approx how many days of the week/month you are at your worst.

Good luck

essbee_3

Thanks. Do you know where i'd find a welfare officer? Should I call the job centre?

hjb123

I can understand what you are going through and how frustrated etc you must be feeling as I too have ME and had to go through the appeals process a year since for my Incapacity Benefit.

Your best thing to do is either get in touch with your local CAB or Welfare Rights Service (should be able to find them on your local council website?). They should then be able to help you with forms and attend appeal etc.

Are you a member of your local ME Group? If so or even if not it may be worth getting in touch with the coordinator of your local group to see what advice they can give you. When I was appealing there was someone connected with the local CAB who helped me and he just dealt with people with ME which was great! Have to say he won it for me!

hjb123

If you click HERE there is a list of ME groups (if you dont know where yours is)

essbee_3

I've just spoken to the job centre who put me in touch with an organisation i've got an appointment for on the 4th. Same day i'm supposed to get the call but cant be helped. I just am totally confused why some people recognise i'm disabled but not others.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!