DLA-how often is reassessment?

shirlgirl2004

My brother was in receipt of higher rate DLA (the mobility component) and it has been stopped. I don't recall getting any notification of this (I applied on his behalf). I think he got it for about a year. Are you supposed to reapply every year? His condition is such that he is as disabled as anyone could get and will never improve and therefore did not need to be seen for his assessment. Apologies but I don't have any knowledge of benefits so don't know if I've missed something.

Torry_Quine

When you first get DLA it will tell you how long it's for. About 3 months before it runs out a form to reapply should be sent and if this isn't returned then a letter sent to ask why the form hasn't been sent. As this obviously hasn't happened you need to contact the DWP as soon as possible. It will be closed on Mon (also Tues In Scotland), the number will be on the number on his original letter.

shirlgirl2004

Thanks that's reassuring. I was fairly certain I couldn't have forgotten a form coming (well they are pretty huge!) but even if I had I definitely wouldn't have missed 2 letters. I'll give them a call. I wonder if they could have sent them to him? He moved nursing home although they shouldn't have written to him anyway as he can't pick up the letter let alone read it. Thinking about it now I probably should have told them he moved but it didn't alter his circumstances or care so I didn't think to.

Thanks

Torry_Quine

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

Thanks that's reassuring. I was fairly certain I couldn't have forgotten a form coming (well they are pretty huge!) but even if I had I definitely wouldn't have missed 2 letters. I'll give them a call. I wonder if they could have sent them to him? He moved nursing home although they shouldn't have written to him anyway as he can't pick up the letter let alone read it. Thinking about it now I probably should have told them he moved but it didn't alter his circumstances or care so I didn't think to.

Thanks

That could be the problem. If they wrote to him and got no response then the benefit would be stopped. They definitely should be told of his address even if nothing else changed. Do you have power of attorney for him or are his appointed representative as without this they won't write to anyone but him.

shirlgirl2004

Yes I am his Deputy and letters concerning benefit payments come to my address. I've just checked the paperwork and it says he has an indefinite award. Embarassingly the last payment was made in May and because he gets ESA (contributions based) I hadn't noticed. The ESA is still being paid. To be honest I'd rather not claim it at all but the Court of Protection insist we do.

I will call Tuesdayand see what they say.