DLA - missing payments

cab1981

Hi there

I wonder if anyone can help or has heard of similar problems?

My dad was awarded DLA about 8 years ago after being seriously ill. He has paperwork to say he is on the benefit but I have checked the bank account and the payment is not being credited to the a/c. He has a joint account with my mum and there are a few payments (pension etc) into the a/c every month but not this one.

They have noticed the joint money has been slowly dwindling away but had not noticed the payment was not being credited.

They have written to the DWP approx 4 weeks ago but had no reply.

I would appreciate any help on this. TIA

SnowTiger

Probably best to telephone the DLA helpline. IIRC their number is 0845 7 123456.

I suspect your Father's DLA came up for review and the DWP hasn't received a completed form back, so they've stopped paying it. Forms (and letters) can get lost in the post, although IMO it's pretty rare. I've heard some anecdotal stories about the DWP not sending review forms out.

Blackpool_Saver

Yes that was my first thought too, I think he may have to re apply .

cab1981

Huge thanks to you both for the quick replies. Do you know how often you have a review? He has def not had any letters to fill in and return.

Blackpool_Saver

Everyone's different really.

nannytone_2

ive been on DLA since 1996 and never has a review ... but it can be awarded for as short a period as a year .... and even if it is awarded indefinately ( as mine is) it can still be reviewed at any time.

has he had the usual yearly letters informing him of the new DLA rates?

rogerblack

SnowTiger wrote: »

P Forms (and letters) can get lost in the post, although IMO it's pretty rare.

The royal mail lose over 3000 forms for DLA a year.
(Based on DLA renewal statistics, and postal letter loss rates)

HB58

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Yes that was my first thought too, I think he may have to re apply .

Depends how old he is. The OP mentioned pensions, so he might be too old to reapply for DLA. It would be classed as a new application if there has been a break. In which case, he could apply for AA but there is no mobility category of this.

cattie

Does your father remember how long he was awarded DLA for? Or was it an award without an end date, known as indefinite award?

Does he not have the paperwork from when he received the award as this will have all the relevant information on how long his award was for?

When you are awarded DLA it is usual to have a letter each April advising you of the amount you will be receiving (Benefit rates rise slightly each April), so I wonder when he last had such a letter?

fogartyblue.

HB58 wrote: »

Depends how old he is. The OP mentioned pensions, so he might be too old to reapply for DLA. It would be classed as a new application if there has been a break. In which case, he could apply for AA but there is no mobility category of this.

If he is 65 or older, he will have lost the right to the mobility element.

As you point out, his only option is to claim Attendance Allowance in respect of his daily, nightly or both care needs.

I would point out that in 2004 claiming and being awarded DLA was a lot easier and more lax. (In fact in 2004 I only returned Part 1 of the renewal claim (name and address etc and didn't send in Part 2 which would have detailed my needs. On the strength of that, they re-awarded me indef for mobility!)

Claiming Attendance Allowance today is a nightmare as more and more claims are being refused than at any other time in the past.