Dla first claim advice?

Muttleythefrog

Op, I unfortunately fell foul on a DLA claim due to dodgy GP who didn't have a clue... about anything quite frankly nevermind filling in the form (which he even went on to deny ever filling in... half true since he barely did). When I finally got around to making new application I was much better prepared. I created a single sheet document giving diagnoses and the day to day effects of the conditions relevant to the DLA claim I was making... oh and prognosis too and current medications. I supplied this to my GP who scanned it into my records. I supplied it to my psychiatrist along with some notes on the back regarding the form I was expecting them to be requested to complete (e.g. the form only documents 4 conditions which is misleading if you've documented more in application etc). It proved priceless... my psychiatrist in her own words documented fairly well her views on my illness on the form DLA sent her but with the necessary DLA matters to a fair extent covered. The form is especially (probably deliberately) poor in my view at ascertaining relevant DLA specific information.

SuziQ

That sounds a great solution, Muttley!

I have a helpful GP who would b more than happy to scan info like this in. The truth is, he never sees my son, who is very healthy. The Paed deals with his Autism, so my GP would have been clueless if I hadn't filled him in, however from what I understand, for the last claim they only contacted my son's Paed and accepted the section my son's teacher filled out as well. She has unfortunately now retired, and the new one we met 2 weeks ago stated to us that he 'doesn't get involved' in either education problems or filling out forms-our previous Paed was fantastic on this score so we are very disappointed and worried now. Although his award has another 3 years to run, it seems these days that they can send out a renewal whenever they decide to, so I pretty much ignore the 5 year date we were given. Keeping the diary is a bit of a bore and a bit depressing, but at least it means I have the info if a dreaded form does land on the mat!

Muttleythefrog

SuziQ wrote: »

That sounds a great solution, Muttley!

I have a helpful GP who would b more than happy to scan info like this in. The truth is, he never sees my son, who is very healthy. The Paed deals with his Autism, so my GP would have been clueless if I hadn't filled him in, however from what I understand, for the last claim they only contacted my son's Paed and accepted the section my son's teacher filled out as well. She has unfortunately now retired, and the new one we met 2 weeks ago stated to us that he 'doesn't get involved' in either education problems or filling out forms-our previous Paed was fantastic on this score so we are very disappointed and worried now. Although his award has another 3 years to run, it seems these days that they can send out a renewal whenever they decide to, so I pretty much ignore the 5 year date we were given. Keeping the diary is a bit of a bore and a bit depressing, but at least it means I have the info if a dreaded form does land on the mat!

My psychiatrist by her own admission said that she was grateful for the document as "I never know what to put on them(factual report forms)". Shame it took them 3 months to send the form to her.. by which time my medications had stopped and therefore many of the side effects I'd claimed were causing me problems..lol.

Diary has to be a good idea... although when I created one in preparation for my appeal tribunal regarding first decision it made me realise what a maniac I was..lol.

But there is a great disconnect between what the DWP request and what patients are going to typically be communicating (if indeed seeing medical professionals like GP regularly at all)... I've had to be highly manipulative of my appointments... and indeed getting of them... in order to put the NHS on a footing with my requirements of them in relation to my ESA/DLA claims.

mummyjonno

Thanks suzi I do agree giving people the best and most accurate information is best. I'm lucky that none of my form was fabricated every day is a bad day. Sometimes we have better ones which were indicated but they are very rare.

I explained things like supermarket shops. Those are hell on earth when they happen however luckily we don't have to do those daily.

Hopefully the gp will already have all the Paed information amongst other documents so I won't struggle. What the doctor doesn't have I more than made up for in the documentation sent. I do agree though not once has a doctor seen my son for autism only his other various specialists. You'd think dpw would know this after so many claims.

I guess all I can do is hope that they are sympathetic and see that 24 hour Care is imperative.

mealone

mummyjonno wrote: »

Thank you very much, the good news is I was informed to fill the form out as if I had had the worst day ever with him every day which I did luckily. I did it alone this time but I will be sure to get help on the next one depending how this one goes. I think I included everything that needed to be included and wrote a 2 page extra statement to go with it and along side the documents. They got the pard paperwork (3 reports) the hv, speech and language 3 reports the paperwork for our move so they specially know we had to move because of his medical needs along with a range of other things.

I will be sure to try your recommendation too. I would love him to be able to have a good sleep and to be honest myself and my husband also. Xx

Thats a very stupid thing to do and is fraudulent.

People who do this deserve not to be even assessed for DLA, the worst day isnt everyday and DLA is based on everyday life. Its ok to mention the worst day but you then need to quantify how often this happens and also detail the best days and days in between to.

harry7075

If your GP is unable to give a detailed report regarding your son, which might well be the case, please don't worry. The good folks at DLA in Blackpool will merely contact Atos to conduct a medical at your home address. Yes it'll cause more stress for you but it's not uncommon for them to do this.

When I first claimed for DLA I didn't see a GP on a regular bases, just repeat prescriptions. So the duty GP filled the form in and put on the form under how does it effect their mobility "I have no idea I don't live with them" The doctor who attended for my medical was laughing about it when he told me and did say it's not uncommon to get that response.

mummyjonno

mealone wrote: »

Thats a very stupid thing to do and is fraudulent.

People who do this deserve not to be even assessed for DLA, the worst day isnt everyday and DLA is based on everyday life. Its ok to mention the worst day but you then need to quantify how often this happens and also detail the best days and days in between to.

As I stated above. I was honest with the application. I described different time's of which become worse than an average day aka going to the supermarket, hospital, doctors all of those things almost give him an instant melt down which professionals have seen however I did not put in his application that this happens daily because that would be a lie.

Everyday is generally bad with few and far between "good days" which was also stated.

That was simply the advice handed to me and I don't think their intention was for me to lie I think it was simply to put across the seriousness of his autism.

mummyjonno

harry7075 wrote: »

If your GP is unable to give a detailed report regarding your son, which might well be the case, please don't worry. The good folks at DLA in Blackpool will merely contact Atos to conduct a medical at your home address. Yes it'll cause more stress for you but it's not uncommon for them to do this.

When I first claimed for DLA I didn't see a GP on a regular bases, just repeat prescriptions. So the duty GP filled the form in and put on the form under how does it effect their mobility "I have no idea I don't live with them" The doctor who attended for my medical was laughing about it when he told me and did say it's not uncommon to get that response.

I have heard about DWP doctors doing this whilst googling prior to sending my application off. If they do this then so be it. I think I would prefer that and then they'd get a first hand view but we shall see what happens.

In cases where 24 hour care is needed it's a shame the government doesn't have the staff to send someone to peoples home's for 24 hours and then they could see everything.

Thanks for the heads up

QuackQuackOops

" I was informed to fill the form out as if I had had the worst day ever with him every day which I did luckily "

This is absolutely the worst advice you could ever have received. To fill out these forms as though every day were the same as the worst day is dishonest and fraudulent and the DM's who look at your case will know that you have 'embellished'.
They will be more likely to refuse your application on that basis.

It is far far better to always fill the forms out exactly as each day occurs and if that means saying that some days are perfectly fine, then you know that the DM;s have all the relevent facts and can base a decision on the truth of your daily lives.

SuziQ

QuackQuackOops wrote: »

" I was informed to fill the form out as if I had had the worst day ever with him every day which I did luckily "

This is absolutely the worst advice you could ever have received. To fill out these forms as though every day were the same as the worst day is dishonest and fraudulent and the DM's who look at your case will know that you have 'embellished'.
They will be more likely to refuse your application on that basis.

It is far far better to always fill the forms out exactly as each day occurs and if that means saying that some days are perfectly fine, then you know that the DM;s have all the relevent facts and can base a decision on the truth of your daily lives.

The Op has already been advised that the advice she was given was flawed,was it necessary to repeat again and be so negative? She has also stated in a supplementary post that she did indeed state that the worst day was not EVERY day.