Dla Question.

NeedHelpPlease77

I have been told today that Dla do not go on a Doctor diagnosis and that it only takes into consideration your needs and what you can't do, is this true? Thank you for any help you can offer.

kingfisherblue

A diagnosis is not needed for DLA, but you need to list the care needs and/or mobility needs. However, if you do have a diagnosis, there is a section for you to write it down. If your care needs are very different than expected for your diagnosis, questions may be asked.

I think the reason for using care needs is that there are so many conditions and disabilities that vary from person to person. For example, my son has Down's syndrome, but his needs are very different in some ways than another person with DS, as it can affect people differently.

NeedHelpPlease77

kingfisherblue wrote: »

A diagnosis is not needed for DLA, but you need to list the care needs and/or mobility needs. However, if you do have a diagnosis, there is a section for you to write it down. If your care needs are very different than expected for your diagnosis, questions may be asked.

I think the reason for using care needs is that there are so many conditions and disabilities that vary from person to person. For example, my son has Down's syndrome, but his needs are very different in some ways than another person with DS, as it can affect people differently.

Thank you very much, your help is appreciated and I'm sorry to hear about your son, I hope he is ok.

Muttleythefrog

This is an excellent DWP link to medical conditions... medical conditions in themselves don't give rise to the award for care or mobility but the link gives for the various conditions the anticipated care and mobility considerations etc.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/medical-conditions/a-z-of-medical-conditions/

General advice regarding DLA is widespread across the web, advice on filling in the form etc.

This link you might find useful as it has useful help popups.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/questions/dlagatewayquestions.asp
The first page goes through basic qualification questions... further pages you'll find useful.

gingergee

When i got mine awarded, the letter said they used:
GP reports
Blood test results
Consultant report
Medication (ie prescription) forms.
Its not the "illness" as such, but the needs that arise from it.
I have SLE and kidney problems and all sorts of other problems. Individually i prob wouldnt have a good case to claim. But all these problems together make life quite tough.
Also medications i take mean i cant be alone in certain situations ie the bath.
Be as informative as possible and try not to focus on what is wrong, more so on the effect the condition/illness has on your day to day life.
Also, listen to MR The Frog!!! He knows his stuff!!!! xx

HB58

Remember that the DWP Decision Maker has no medical background, so don't assume that they will automatically understand anything. State exactly what it is that stops you from doing things, or requires help, and repeat yourself as many times as needed.

Starrystarrynight

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread! I've never really looked at the decision maker guide before, but was considering applying for DLA soon. My joints condition is listed, and I have mobility problems, but alongside the name of the condition in the guide it states 'Decision makers are advised to discuss with the Department medical adviser if necessary'
Is this a good or a bad sign, does anyone know?

Muttleythefrog

Starrystarrynight wrote: »

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread! I've never really looked at the decision maker guide before, but was considering applying for DLA soon. My joints condition is listed, and I have mobility problems, but alongside the name of the condition in the guide it states 'Decision makers are advised to discuss with the Department medical adviser if necessary'
Is this a good or a bad sign, does anyone know?

Might just mean the DM could require some medical guidance for their own information purposes. Decision makers are typically not going to be medically qualified.. it's not a requirement for their job... but I would think on occasion they may require some advice from someone with medical understanding.

Starrystarrynight

Thanks, Muttley. I guess I can only give it a go and explain my problems as best I can and see if anything comes of it.

Muttleythefrog

Starrystarrynight wrote: »

Thanks, Muttley. I guess I can only give it a go and explain my problems as best I can and see if anything comes of it.

Try to get any (ideally recent/current) medical reports that support you too... and tip off those involved in your treatment (named in your application form) about what problems you're communicating in the application in case they are asked to supply a factual report. Decision may take some months.

Starrystarrynight

Thanks for the advice :-)